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Book Review
TAMIL
Kamban’s epic
V. N. VEDANTA DESIKAN
PADIYIL GUNATHTHU BHARATA NAMBI: Thiru Narayana Iyengar, Pub. by A. Rajagopalan, Madurai-1. Copies can be had from R. Ponnappan, Plot No. 45, Durairaj Street, Thirunagar, Alwarthirunagar P.O. Chennai-600087. Rs. 65.
THIS IS a handy book on Kamban’s delineation of the character of Bharata, reprinted from the issues of the journal, Senthamil of the 1940s. Thiru Narayana Iyengar was the first head of the teaching department of the Fourth Tamil Sangam that was established in 1901 by Pandithurai Thevar with Senthamil as the official organ of the Sangam.
The title of this book is an extract from a verse of Periyazhvar. It means “one of sterling qualities that can never be equalled by anyone else.” A number of chapters, though neither numbered, nor suitably titled, narrate Bharata’s birth, growth, virtues and devotion for Rama mostly using Kamban’s words. Indeed Bharata regarded himself neither as a prince nor as a heir-apparent to the throne, but merely as a humble devotee of Rama.
The crucial section is on the meeting of Bharata with Guha, the ferryman, who had ferried Rama’s entourage. Bharata was on an effort to retrieve Rama. Kamban describes the scene, with a verse beginning as “Vanthethirey thozhuthaanai”.
The author would interpret the words as implying that Bharata fell on all fours before Guha. Interestingly, an alternative point of view was presented in the same journal to the effect that it was Guha who should, and actually did, prostrate before the royalty; this was by ‘Naavalar’ S.S. Bharathiyar. The descendants of the great star of Tamil scholarship have rendered a great service by publishing this.
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