TAMIL
Spiritual classic
M.VARADARAJAN
SATAKOPAR ANDADHI OF KAVI CHAKRAVARTI KAMBAR: An Exposition by N.R.Krishnaswamy Iyengar; Copies can be had from Vijayalakshmi Gosakan, 24/2, Krishnamurthy Street, West Mambalam, Chennai-600017. Rs. 60.
KAMBAR, A poet of world renown, composed Satakopar Andadhi at the instance of Lord Ranganatha, as a prelude to his magnum opus Ramayanam. Next to the Nalayira Divya Prabandham of the Azhwars, Kambar’s Andadhi is in metrical sequence of 100 poems revealing his devotional supplication to Nammazhvar.
The unique proposition of this critical exposition on Kambar’s work by the late erudite scholar is verbatim explanation for each poem, besides its substance. There is an important explanatory note by V.N.Vedanta Desikan which adds lustre to the book.
The Azhwars’ hymns influenced Kambar, which enabled his perception of Nammazhvar and his Tiruvaymozhi. Many insights in the book are a literary feast. To quote one, the bridal mysticism of Kambar with Nammazhvar as his hero, is beautifully explained. This is uniquely recorded in 28 poems.
The author has dexterously presented Kambar’s literary and spiritual excellence in chaste Tamil besides comparing his work with ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita.
The author’s understanding of the subject is palpable.
This book is undoubtedly an asset to Tamil scholars, particularly to literary connoisseurs. The indefatigable effort by the third generation of the author to bring out this book is laudable.
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