Kambar, or Kamban (1180–1250), was a medieval Tamil poet. He is best known for composing the Ramavataram (popularly known as Kambaramayanam), an epic retelling of the narrative of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Written in Tamil Viruttam metre, the work incorporates classical Tamil poetic conventions (tinai) and Bhakti movement devotionalism rather than a direct translation of Valmiki's Sanskrit text. He had also authored several other literary works in Tamil including Silai Elupatu, Kangai Puranam, Sadagopar Antati and Saraswati Antati.
Life Kambar was believed to have been born in Therazhundur (in present day Tamil Nadu). He was supported and patronised by Sadayappa Vallal.India's Communities by Kumar Suresh Singh, Anthropological Survey of India – Ethnology – 1992 – page 4146 He grew up in the Chola Empire during the reign of Kulothunga Chola III. Having heard of Kamban's talent, Kulothunga summoned him to his court and honoured him with the title Kavi Chakravarty (Emperor of poets).The Cyclopaedia of India and of Eastern and Southern Asia By Edward Balfour Kamban was well versed in Tamil and Sanskrit languages. Epigraphical and historical evidences suggest that he flourished in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, predominantly during the reign of Kulothunga Chola III (r. 1178–1218 CE). While earlier 19th century accounts attempted to date him earlier based on legendary synchronisms, modern historians identify his patron, Sadayappa Vallal of Puduvai, with historical figures attested in Chola-era records.
There are no clear information of his later whereabouts, with multiple stories in folklore. As per one theory, Kamban spent his last days in Nattarasankottai near present day Sivagangai. After having differences with Kulothunga's son, Rajaraja III, he left the Chola kingdom and moved from place to place. When he reached at Nattarasankottai, he decided to stay there and spent his last days there. There is tomb dedicated to him at the location and the annual Kamban vizha is conducted at this place to felicitate Kambar.
In another story, Kamban was exiled by Kulothunga due to a misunderstanding, and Kulothunga executed Kamban's son Ambigapathy for having a love affair with his daughter. Grief-stricken and enraged at Kulothunga's brutality, Kamban wandered around the Tamil lands and finally entered the service of the Cheras. He eventually returned again when invited by the Chola ruler, but this renewed friendship was short-lived, and tensions rose once more. Kulothunga ultimately executed Kamban on the pretext that he had maintained ties with the Chera king and had murdered the youngest prince. Before his death, Kamban cursed the king, declaring that his lineage would come to an end.
Literary works
The Kamba Ramayanam consists of over 10,000 verses arranged into six cantos (kandam). According to temple tradition, Kambar presented the work for its initial public recitation (arangetram) at the Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam. Some later hagiographical accounts place this event during the era of earlier Vaishnava teachers. But mainstream historians date the text's debut to 12th century CE, where it was sanctioned after debate before the temple assembly. Saraswati Antati, literary work of antati style in praise of Hindu Goddess Saraswati Sadagopar Antati, antati in praise of Vaishnava Saint Nammalvar Silai Elupatu, work in praise of 11th century CE Pallava king Karunakara Tondaiman Tirukkai Valakkam Erelupathu Kangai Puranam Mangala Vazhthu
In popular culture Kamban is portrayed by Serukalathur Sama in the Tamil-language film Ambikapathy (1937). In the film Ambikapathy (1957), M. K. Radha played Kamban.
See also Kambarmedu, an archaeological site associated with Kamban
References