Bringing ‘Kamba Ramayana’ to Life: Culture Ministry Unveils Grand Tamil Nadu Festival | What We Know

The South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), under the Ministry of Culture, is launching an initiative to preserve and promote the Kamba Ramayana, a renowned work in Tamil literature. This effort aims to revive the tradition of Kamba Ramayana recitals and highlight its cultural significance.  

The event will be inaugurated by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, on March 18, 2025, followed by performances at various temples across Tamil Nadu. 

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Kamba Ramayana Recitals to Echo Through Tamil Nadu’s Temples: 

The inaugural event will be held at the historic Srirangam Temple in Trichy, featuring performances by Kamba Ramayana Mandali (cultural troupes) from across Tamil Nadu. These troupes will present traditional recitals of the epic, highlighting their unique chanting techniques. 

As part of this programme, a range of activities—including performances, workshops, symposia, and educational competitions—will be organised to help future generations connect with and appreciate this timeless literary masterpiece, which holds a vital place in Tamil heritage. 

The South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) has planned a two-phase celebration to honour and promote the rich heritage of the Kamba Ramayana. 

Phase I: Grand Inaugural Event (18 March 2025) 

The festival will begin at the revered Srirangam Temple in Trichy, where cultural troupes from across Tamil Nadu will come together to present traditional recitals of the Kamba Ramayana. These performances will then travel to other significant temples, including Thirupullambuthangudi, Madurantakam, Thiruneermalai, and Vaduvur, ensuring that this treasured oral tradition reaches a wider audience. 

Phase II: Kamba Ramayana Festival at Kambar Medu (30 March – 6 April 2025) 

A week-long celebration will take place at Kambar Medu in Theraazhundur, the birthplace of poet Kambar. The festival will feature continuous recitals of the Kamba Ramayana, captivating dance performances, and discussions led by scholars exploring its literary and cultural significance. Through these events, audiences will experience the epic’s grandeur, preserving its legacy for future generations. 

This initiative is designed to ensure the enduring legacy of Kamba Ramayana: 

Annual Festival: A dedicated festival will be held each year to celebrate Tamil literary heritage and keep the tradition alive. 

Heritage Centre at Kambar Medu: A centre will be established to showcase Kambar’s life and contributions, preserving his legacy for future generations. 

Key Highlights of the Programme 

Isai (Music & Performance): Cultural troupes specialising in Kamba Ramayana recitals will perform at various locations, culminating in a grand nine-day festival at Kambar Medu. 

Iyal (Literature & Scholarly Discussions): Eminent scholars will lead a symposium, delving into the literary, cultural, and historical significance of the Kamba Ramayana. 

Natakam (Theatre & Dance Drama): The festival will feature captivating dance dramas, bringing the epic to life through theatrical performances. 

Reviving Kamba Ramayana: 

Kambar Medu in Theraazhundur, Tamil Nadu, holds historical significance as the birthplace of the poet Kambar, who composed the Kamba Ramayana. Written in the 12th-13th century, this Tamil adaptation of Valmiki’s Ramayana is a cornerstone of Tamil literary and cultural heritage. 

For centuries, the Kamba Ramayana was passed down through oral traditions, with dedicated mandali (cultural troupes) performing recitals across Tamil Nadu. However, this practice has dwindled over time, and many from the younger generation are now unfamiliar with the epic. 

To restore this fading tradition, the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) has launched a cultural initiative aimed at reviving Kamba Ramayana recitals and promoting its literary and artistic significance. Through performances, educational programmes, and community engagement, this effort seeks to keep an important part of Tamil heritage alive for future generations. 

Objectives of the Programme: 

The initiative aims to revive and promote the oral tradition of Kamba Ramayana recitals by encouraging cultural troupes (mandali) to perform across various locations. By bringing these performances back into public spaces, the programme seeks to rekindle interest in this timeless epic.  

A key focus is to inspire younger generations to engage with the Kamba Ramayana, ensuring its preservation as an integral part of Tamil literary and cultural heritage. To achieve this, a structured, statewide initiative will be introduced, featuring a blend of performances, symposiums, and educational competitions.  

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