Kambar yet to get due recognition in TN: Governor

Trichy: The work of Tamil poet Kambar, who authored Kamba Ramayanam, has significantly shaped the idea of ‘Bharathiya,' but his contributions have not received due recognition in Tamil Nadu, governor R N Ravi has said.Addressing an event to promote Kamba Ramayanam at Kambar Medu in Mayiladuthurai on Sunday, Ravi said excessive politics has taken a serious toll on our culture. "It is unfortunate that Kambar is not more widely known in Tamil Nadu, while Tulsidas, who was inspired by Kambar, is highly revered in northern India," he said.Hailing Kambar as the father of ‘Bharathiya culture,' Ravi said the culture surrounding Kamba Ramayanam has shaped the collective values of the entire country. "He (Kambar) inspired poets and saints in other languages to write their own versions of the Ramayana. While Valmiki wrote the Ramayana first in Sanskrit, Kambar brought Lord Ram into the hearts of the common Bharathiya by writing it in our ancient Tamil language," Ravi said."Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a devotee of Kambar. He listened to the recitations when he came here ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration last year. It was his decision to encourage people to celebrate Kambar from the very place he was born," Ravi said. He said Modi was the only leader in independent India to have shown such respect to language and Tamil culture. Later, the governor inaugurated a photo exhibition and visited the exhibition stalls, which featured hands-on activities hosted by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the archaeological site. The event will be held till April 6, which is expected to be attended by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.