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TheRamavataram, popularly referred to asKamba Ramayanam, is aTamilepic that was written by theTamil poetKambar during the 12th century. Based onValmiki'sRamayana (which is inSanskrit), the story describes the legend of KingRama ofAyodhya. However, theRamavataram is different from theSanskrit version in many aspects – both in spiritual concepts and in the specifics of the storyline.[1][2] This historic work is considered by both Tamilscholars and the general public as one of the greatest literary works inTamil literature.[3]
| Ramavataram | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Author | Kambar |
| Language | Tamil language |
| Period | 12th century |
| Chapters | 6 kandams (original) + 1 later addition |
Kambar wrote this epic with thepatronage ofThiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal, a chieftain of the Pannai lineage.[4] In gratitude to his patron, Kamban references his name once in every 1,000verses.
Even before Kambar wrote the Ramavataram in Tamil in the 12 century CE, there are many ancient references to the story of Ramayana, implying that the story was familiar in the Tamil lands even before the Common Era. References to the story can be found in theSangam literature ofAkanāṉūṟu (dated 200 BCE–300 CE),[5]Puṟanāṉūṟu (dated 200 BCE–300 CE),[6][7] the twin epics ofSilappatikaram (dated 6th century CE)[8] andManimekalai,[9][10][11] and theAlvar literature ofKulasekhara Alvar,Thirumangai Alvar,Andal andNammalvar (dated between 8th and 10th centuries CE).[12]
The book is divided into six chapters, each called aKandam in Tamil. The Kandams are further divided into 113 sections calledPadalam (படலம்) in Tamil. These 113 sections contain approximately 10569 verses of the epic.[13]
As with many historic compilations, it was very difficult to discard the interpolations and addendum which have been added over a period of time to the original. This task was taken up a committee of scholars headed byT. P. Meenakshisundaram called theKamban Kazhagam (Kamban Academy). The compilation published by this committee in 1976 is what is used as the standard today.Valmiki'sRamayana in Sanskrit has seven chapters. The Tamil poetOttakoothar[16] wroteUttara Kandam, the seventh (last chapter) kandam of the Tamil epicRamayanam.
Kamban's use of Virutham (Sanskrit: vṛttam) and Santham (Sanskrit:chandas) in various verses is effective in bringing out the emotion and mood for storytelling. He achieves the Virutham and Santham by effective choice of words.[citation needed]
This epic is read by many Hindus during prayers. In some households, the entire epic is read once during theTamil calendar's month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). It is also read inHindu Temples and other religious associations. On many occasions, Kambar talks about surrendering to Rama, who is a manifestation ofVishnu himself.[citation needed]
The chapterSundara Kandam is considered very auspicious and is the most popular. The chapter talks about the hardships faced by the main characters in the epic, their practice of restraint, and their hopes for a better tomorrow.[citation needed]
Kamba Ramayanam has been translated into English byP. S. Sundaram.[17]Nityananda Mohapatra translated the Tamil work intoOdia.[18]: 214
In August 2025, composerRaleigh Rajan spearheaded a sold-out, two-hour Carnatic concert based entirely on the Tamil epicKamba Ramayanam at the Nack Theater, Dallas, TX. In addition to the traditionalmridangam,violin,kanjira andtanpura, he incorporatedpiano—playing both chords and melodic leads—within traditional Carnatic ragas. The concert also featured poetry appreciation segments before each piece and digital paintings as a visual backdrop, enhancing the overall experience.[19]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
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