Kamba Ramayanam

Many Tamil poets, statesmen, kings and common people have praised Kambar for his Kamba Ramayanam which has more than 10000 songs forming one of the greatest epics of Tamil. Kamba Ramayanam has more than 45000 lines. Valmiki has written Ramayana in 24000 couplets and Kamban in 10,000 verses of 4 lines each. The most important aspects in Kambaramayana are the poetry of Kamban and his art. Kamba Ramayana is not a translation of the Sanskrit epic by Valmiki, but an original retelling of the story of the God Rama.

With blessings of Lord Aamaruviappan (Gosakha Perumal), Ther Ezhendur (Therazhundur) located at a distance of about 12 KM from Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, the great poet Kambar was born. Kambar Mani Mandapam is located in the premises.


It is said that Kambar's period is from 1180 to 1250. Kambar states in his verse....

"deva paadaiyin ikkathai saidhavar moovar ahnavar tam ulum mundhiya naaveenan uraiyin padi nan tamil paavinaal idhu unarthiya pambu ahro"
Meaning: Kambar says that the epic Ramayana was composed by three Sages - Valmiki, Vashistha and Bodhayanar. In them I have sung Kamba Ramayanam according to Sage Valmiki who first composed it.

We will be including songs from Kamba Ramayanam in coming series of articles. Kamba says that "piththar sonnavum, pedhayar sonnavum, paththar sonnavum pannap perubavo" - I am only a tool, I have sung only with the blessings of Lord.



Kamba Ramayana was first delivered in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam at the court hall near Thaayar sannithi. In this sthalam, Mettu Azhagiya singar (Narasimar) Sannadhi is found and in front of it is found the 4 pillared mandapam (Nallu Kaal Mandapam) known as Kambar Arangetra Mandapam. In this mandapam, Kambar explained for the first time, his great work "Kamba Ramayanam" and in that "Hiranya Vadhai Padalam" was also included i.e. Hiranya vadham is the story about the killing of Hiranya by Lord Narasimha (Vibhishana recounting Narasimha's story to Ravana just before being kicked away). But on hearing the inclusion of it, all the people around the Mandapam protested against it as this is not to be found in Valmiki's Ramayana. Suddenly a thunderous peal of laughter was heard from the sanctum of Mettu Azhagiya singar high up and all gathered in the mandapa at the base, in front of Periya Piratti's sanctum, were thrilled. This was taken as the seal of approval and since then Kamba Ramayana is exalted as the best Tamil work. It is said that Sri Nathamuni was present on that occasion. Kamba Ramayanam was delivered in the month of Panguni on the day of Hasta Nakshatram.