Synopsis "Youth the Balakandam of Kampan's Ramayana (in English)"
DescriptionComposed in the 12th-century by Kampan, regarded by many as Tamil'sfinest poet, the Kamparamayanam is perhaps the most splendid retelling ofValmiki's Ramayana. This first regional retelling of the great Sanskrit epic isset firmly in Tamil country and draws from Puranic lore and Tamil literarymasterpieces. The approximately 12,000 verses that make up the six booksof the Kamparamayanam fully and unabashedly embrace Rama's identity as ahuman avatar.The first kandam, or book, of Kampan's Ramayana is Balakandam, about theboyhood of Rama, who under the tutelage of Vishwamitra learns the lay of theland he will one day rule, as well as his true nature. This son of Dasharatha, along with his brother Lakshmana, reverses ancient curses of sages and gods, amasses powerful weapons, and protects the sacrificial rituals of the rishisfrom vicious rakshasas. In Mithila, he falls in love with Sita, the daughter ofKing Janaka. The chapters that follow describe-in a manner unique to earlyTamil literature-the joyful procession of Dasharatha's retinue to Rama andSita's wedding, and contain some of the most beautiful verses composed inany South Asian language. The book concludes with Rama's first true test ofmanhood and a sign of the times that lie ahead: a conflict with the mightyParashu Rama, an avatar, like Rama himself, of Vishnu.Translated from the Tamil with great skill by Blake Wentworth, Youth bringsthe lyricism, the exquisite imagery and the wonderful sensuousness ofKampan's masterpiece to modern-day English-language readers.
