TAMIL
Master of speech
S. N. KANDASWAMY
MARUTHI PERURAIKAL: Ilangai Jayaraj; Vanathi Pathippakam, 23, Deenadayalu Street, T. Nagar, Chennai-600017. Rs. 50.
MARUTHI, POPULARLY known as Hanuman, is one of the significant characters in the Kamba Ramayanam. He is depicted as the embodiment of wisdom, valour, humility and honesty. He was a celibate and a staunch devotee of Rama.
Ilangai Jayaraj has made a good attempt in this book to underscore the traits and talents of Maruthi as projected by Kamban in the light of the ethical norms of Tiruvalluvar.
He focuses on the modes of expressions of Maruthi in different contexts of the narrative indicating his sagacity.
A single instance is enough. When Maruthi saw Rama and Lakshmana for the first time on the slopes of the Rishyamuka hill, he was ecstatic. Though he intuited their divinity, he surmised that they were in search of some temporary loss. He accorded them a hearty welcome.
When questioned he introduced himself with humility. He added that he was a servitor of Sugriva, who under the grip of grief and fear resided in the hill, where the entry of his wicked elder Vali was prohibited by a curse. He was sent by him to receive them.
His dexterous speech very much attracted Rama who extolled him as “Sollin Selvan”, meaning one endowed with eloquence. The author deserves all praise.
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