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Book Review
TAMIL
Immortal epic
S. N. Kandaswamy
KAMBAN KAAPPIYA MARABUKAL: R. Anbazhagan; pub. by Aalayadharisanam, 66 A, Cuddalore Road, Bhuvangiri-608601. Rs. 75.
THIS BOOK is a study of the salient features of the immortal epic Kamba Ramayanam.
The author introduces Kamban, the emperor among Tamil poets, as the trendsetter for the later poets who were influenced by his metrics, imagination, rhetorical devices, natural descriptions, techniques of characterisation, narration and other such components which contribute to the consummation of a grand epic. The western and native epic traditions are briefly presented in one chapter.
The author explores the objective of the epic known as Bhavika. The fierce battle between Rama and Ravana is allegorical, indicating the clash between the right and the wrong, finally ending in the triumph of virtue over vice.
Unlike the western epics in which the dramatic opening itself attracts the readers very much, the Indian epics including the Kamba Ramayanam have some preliminaries such as the description of the landscape, river, and the city of the epic hero.
The last two chapters are devoted to the characterisation of Rama and Sita, the epic hero and heroine. The author deserves to be congratulated on this interesting book.
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