In an effort to preserve and promote the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant works in Tamil literature, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is launching a comprehensive initiative aimed at reviving the oral tradition of ‘Kamba Ramayana’ recitals and its broader cultural impact. The ceremony will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 18^th March 2025. This will be followed by performances at several temples across Tamil Nadu.

The inaugural event of this ambitious program will take place at the historic Sreerangam Temple, Trichy, with participation from Kamba Ramayana Mandali (cultural troupes) from across Tamil Nadu. These local cultural troupes will perform traditional recitals of the epic, showcasing their unique chanting techniques.

This initiative will include a series of performances, workshops, symposia, and educational competitions to ensure that future generations can connect with and appreciate this epic text, which has long been integral to Tamil heritage.

The program will be spread over two distinct phases, each contributing to the preservation and spread of Kamba Ramayana:

Phase I: Inaugural Ceremony (March 18, 2025): The festival will commence at the Sreerangam Temple, with recitals and performances by Kamba Ramayana Mandali (cultural troupes) from across Tamil Nadu. After the opening event, the performances will travel to key temples across the state, including Thirupullambuthangudi, Madurantakam, Thiruneermalai and Vaduvur.

Phase II: Kamba Ramayana Festival at Kambar Medu (March 30 – April 06, 2025): A week-long immersive festival will be held at KambarMedu, the birthplace of Kambar in Theraazhundur. This festival will feature continuous recitals of the Kamba Ramayana, dance dramas, and scholarly discussions on the cultural and literary significance of the epic. Esteemed scholars and artists will lead symposiums, while dance performances based on the Kamba Ramayana will bring the story to life in innovative theatrical styles.

Key Program Features:

• Isai (Music/Performance): Kamba Ramayana mandali will perform recitals at various locations, culminating in the 9-day festival at KambarMedu.
• Iyal (Literature/Scholarly Engagement): A symposium of renowned scholars will explore the literary, cultural, and historical significance of Kamba Ramayana.
• Natakam (Theatre/Dance Drama): Dance dramas based on the epic will be performed at the festival, interpreting the story through the medium of theatre.

Kambar Medu, located in Theraazhundur, Tamil Nadu, is the birthplace of Kambar, the poet who penned the Kamba Ramayana, one of the most significant literary works in Tamil literature. This version of the Ramayana, composed in the 12th-13th century CE, stands as a unique and culturally rich adaptation of the Valmiki Ramayana. Though once integral to Tamil cultural life, the oral tradition of reciting the Kamba Ramayana through local mandali (cultural troupes) has significantly declined. Many younger generations in Tamil Nadu are now unfamiliar with Kambar's epic, and the cultural practice is at risk of extinction.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) aims to sustain and disseminate the Kamba Ramayana by reviving its performance, education, and engagement through the creation of an integrated festival and educational initiative. This proposal not only seeks to preserve Tamil cultural heritage but also ensures its transmission to future generations.

Objectives of the programme:

1. To sustain and promote the Kamba Ramayana oral tradition through recitals by cultural troupes (mandali).
2. To attract the younger generation to engage with and learn about the Kamba Ramayana, ensuring the preservation of this important literary work.
3. To establish a comprehensive, statewide program that incorporates performances, symposia, and educational competitions.

Long-Term Vision:

• This initiative aims to create a sustainable cultural legacy for the Kamba Ramayana:
• Annual Festival: The Kamba Ramayana festival will become an annual celebration of Tamil literary heritage.
• Museum at Kambar Medu: A museum dedicated to the life and works of Kambar and the Kamba Ramayana will be established at Kambar Medu, ensuring that the epic’s legacy is preserved for future generations.

About South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC): The South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of regional cultural heritage across southern India. Through events like the Kamba Ramayana initiative, the SZCC seeks to engage diverse communities, foster cultural understanding, and inspire the younger generation to embrace traditional art forms.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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