Ramavataram
Tamil Hindu epic based on the Ramayana
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Through Sangam literature and Alvars
Kambar wrote this epic with the patronage of Thiruvennai Nallur Sadayappa Vallal, a chieftain of the Pannai lineage. In gratitude to his patron, Kamban references his name once in every 1,000 verses.
Early references in Tamil literature
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 the Sangam literature of Akanāṉūṟu (dated 200 BCE–300 CE), Puṟanāṉūṟu (dated 200 BCE–300 CE), the twin epics of Silappatikaram (dated 6th century CE) and Manimekalai, and the Alvar literature of Kulasekhara Alvar, Thirumangai Alvar, Andal and Nammalvar (dated between 8th and 10th centuries CE).
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Structure
The book is divided into six chapters, each called a Kandam in Tamil. The Kandams are further divided into 113 sections called Padalam (படலம்) in Tamil. These 113 sections contain approximately 10569 verses of the epic.
- Bala Kandam (The Childhood Chapter)
- Ayodhya Kandam (The Ayodhya Chapter)
- Aranya Kandam (The Forest Chapter)
- Kishkindha Kandam (The Kishkindha Chapter)
- Sundara Kandam (The Beautiful Chapter)
- Yuddha Kandam (The War Chapter)
Compilation
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 by T. P. Meenakshisundaram called the Kamban Kazhagam (Kamban Academy). The compilation published by this committee in 1976 is what is used as the standard today. Valmiki's Ramayana in Sanskrit has seven chapters. The Tamil poet Ottakoothar wrote Uttara Kandam, the seventh (last chapter) kandam of the Tamil epic Ramayanam.
Literary significance
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.
Religious significance
This epic is read by many Hindus during prayers. In some households, the entire epic is read once during the Tamil calendar's month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). It is also read in Hindu Temples and other religious associations. On many occasions, Kambar talks about surrendering to Rama, who is a manifestation of Vishnu himself.
The chapter Sundara 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.
Translations
In 1961, C. Rajagopalachari translated the Kamba Ramayana into English. Another translation of the work into English was made by P. S. Sundaram. Nityananda Mohapatra translated the Tamil work into Odia.
Musical adaptations
In August 2025, composer Raleigh Rajan spearheaded a sold-out, two-hour Carnatic concert based entirely on the Tamil epic Kamba Ramayanam at the Nack Theater, Dallas, TX. In addition to the traditional mridangam, violin, kanjira and tanpura, he incorporated piano—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.