Kamban and Thiruvalluvar: Pillars Of Tamil Wisdom and Culture

Kamban and Thiruvalluvar: Pillars of Tamil Wisdom and Culture

The Dravidian Land of Tamil Nadu is not behind in its literary treasures. It isn’t easy to think of two authors more worthy of pride and reverence in such a literary sphere than Thiruvalluvar and Kamban. The literature of ancient Tamil wisdom was so sumptuously adorned with beauties that not only helped to store the pearl of culture and social harmony but was also preserved by Tamil writers through the ages.

Both these gems of Tamil Literature shine in their literary prestige and have a moral distinction in the larger context of Tamil Culture. Kamban and Thiruvalluvar, the two jewels of Tamil Culture, have an eminent position in the literary chronicles of Tamil Nadu. These two great poets are the epitome of Tamil literary excellence and Tamil ethical philosophy.

Thirukkural

Thirukkural is ageless and continues to be read in school textbooks, quoted in political election campaign speeches and painted on public roads in Tamil Nadu. Thirukkural’s verses have no caste, creed or religion and are certainly the only living ancient Tamil literature still relevant to Tamil Nadu’s daily life.

Who Was Thiruvalluvar?

Thiruvalluvar was a famous Tamil poet who lived in the 2nd century BCE and 5th century CE, which is still a topic under debate. Thiruvalluvar was the author of the Thirukkural, a portmanteau of the words “thiru,” which means holy, and “kural,” which means a small poem.

He wrote 1330 couplets of Thirukkural on almost every subject of life, both secular and spiritual. These couplets are extremely difficult to understand. Parimelazhagar, a famous Tamil scholar, has written a commentary on Thirukkural.

Kamban: The Author of the Tamil Ramayana

Kamban was a 12th-century CE Tamil poet. His magnum opus was a Tamil version of the Ramayana epic, which is famously called the Kamba Ramayanam. It is not a direct translation of the Sanskrit original but an independent and fresh poem with many masterly touches of classical Tamil poetry in rare similes, felicitous compounds and deep metaphors.

Kamba Ramayanam is the foundation for Tamil literature for its poetic excellence and exploring the concepts of dharma, bhakti, valor, and grace. Kamban’s classic treatise made Lord Rama the almighty god and portrayed the inner emotional and moral life of every character in the poem.

The Literary Styles of the Tamil Poets

Thiruvalluvar’s Style is extremely terse and well-formed, composed in the Venpa meter. It is in two lines of deep and lasting meaning for each couplet and addresses readers from any religious or social background.

Kamban’s Style is more magnificent, Sanskritized, and enriched with classical Tamil usages. He employed similes, alliteration, and poetic hyperbole and touched both the reader’s heart and head.

In the world of Tamil poetic literature, these two great Tamil poets were unmatched by their peers. Thiruvalluvar chose the classical Tamil meter called the Venpa and wrote pithy couplets as a form of moral precepts. Kamban, on the other hand, took the already long Sanskrit poetic meters and made them longer. Kamban’s work is a masterpiece of extended verse, expressing themes of morality and devotion.

Role Played By Tamil Poets in Culture and Religion

The traditional ideology of Tamil Nadu has been determined and created by both writers’ works, for they are the fundamental basis of the ethical, moral and cultural life of Tamil people. Thirukkural is a recommended textbook for Tamil students in Tamil Nadu. It has been translated into more than 40 languages.

The Universal Appeal of Tamil Poets

The great poet’s influence is not limited to Tamil Nadu or India. Statues of Thiruvalluvar dot the globe from South Africa, UK to the USA. There is a 133 ft statue of Thiruvalluvar.

A 133-foot statue of Thiruvalluvar, the poet of the Tamil people, has been constructed in Kanyakumari as a tribute to the eternal values Thiruvalluvar has come to symbolize. His name is often quoted in matters related to good governance, integrity and secularism.

Kamban has not been globalized through monuments and memorials. He is present in the global Tamil community through cultural performances, literary events, and Kamban Kazhagam.

These Kamban Kazhagam are regularly held in Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Singapore. Kamba Ramayanam is sung and recited in temples and spiritual congregations in Tamil Nadu. His work is often quoted as a classic example of Rama, who is cited as the ideal king.

The Tamil Poets as Pillars of Tamil Culture

Thiruvalluvar Day is held in Tamil Nadu on Pongal to honor the poet and his works. Kamban Vizha is an annual event celebrated in Tamil Nadu to mark the poet’s memory. These events celebrate the Tamil language and literature. Traditional art forms are displayed as Tamil literature is promoted.

Thiruvalluvar and Kamban: Their Legacy

The works of Thiruvalluvar and Kamban address universal human concerns. They are compelling and relevant even today, for they both deal with issues that human beings would face in any generation and represent the literary heritage of Tamil Nadu.

Indeed, it is the sort of wonder that the Tamil words of Kamban and Thiruvalluvar seem to have defeated time. Their texts are by no means restricted to be confined to literary books; instead, they are consulted by common people on a regular basis when they need explanations for a variety of topics.

When teaching values to schoolchildren, their verses are inevitable and serve as parameters and reference points when discussing the idea of social justice or good governance.

Lines from Thirukkural can be read as graffiti on a street wall, and sometimes, we may find the refrains of Kamba Ramayanam echoing through the corridors of temples. The language of Tamil films, television serials, and politicians’ public speeches is replete with couplets reiterating the significance of an honest life, family values and devotion.

Kamban and Thiruvalluvar’s legacies are lived, relived and passed on as heritage through various practices such as oratorical contests, literary festivals, competitions, drama enactments, and specially designed modules, which are part of the school curriculum not only in Tamil Nadu but also in the Tamil diaspora world over.