Preface for Kavichakaravarthy Kamban

The book Kavichakaravarthy Kamban presents the dialogue in English of the short film made on the same title in Tamil, written, directed and produced by Gunavathy Maindhan, long-time friend of mine. A book on the Tamil version of the dialogue is also being released.

I don’t think any short film on the epic-poet Kambar has been produced earlier; neither a full-length movie for that matter. Here in Tamilnadu where historicals on personalities do have appeared in films and documentaries, but not on Kambar.

Also Gunavathy Maindhan says in his Introduction, as he frequented to Kamban Kazhagam festivals, where symposium and seminars used to be held, the different angles and aspects of Kamba Ramayanam would be focal point of discussions, he noticed nothing quipped on the maker of the great Tamil epic, in whose life there is a streak of tragedy running! This fact has seized my friend, and he comes out with this short film venture.

It needs great courage and confidence to handle generally an historical on personalities, who are filled in the hearts of the people and revered. The trials and tribulations of the epic-poet is shrouded, and to handle is a great challenge. Many friends, well wishers and those associated with Kamban kazhagams looked at him with raised eye brows, when he expressed his desire to make a short film on the life of Kamban. He did it controversy-free. Gunavathy Maindhan deserves all praise for this doggedness in seeing the light of the day his production.

In fact, not many know there is a great tragedy in the life of Kamban. Kamban house’s weaver’s desk (kattu thari) also would sing song, it used to be said; but his son Ambigapathy, a budding poet, who gets the honour of endorsing his own father’s immortal work, churns out hundred songs in one single night (between dusk to dawn), and who would have gone higher than his father, could not sing after him—stunted.

Immersed in his work, his entire belief and faith rooted in his talents, Kambar fails to catch up with the politics of the day, falls a prey to the King’s advisor and Minister, who poison even the magnanimous King. The Indo Sri Lankan connections, the villainy, the ego clash, the Romeo-Juliet and Laila-Majunu like love and its inequity, the climax and anti-climax, the raise and the fall—all elements are there to make the life historical in a fill-length movie even. Gunavathy Maindhan, I believe, has made this production only as a test-film, and is planning to come back with a magnum opus on Kambar very soon.

It may be worth mentioning here of the sweep of the 10 awards, “Jodhaa Akbar,” a historical on the Mohul emperor, has bagged at the 10th IIFA (International Indian Film award) fete at Macau last week. Kambar’s life history has such potential, Gunavathy Mandhan should draw inspiration from that and make it.

I am a Kamban lover. I had a brief participation with the discussion of the film earlier, and when my controversial beliefs, he set aside, it did not irk me; in stead I am happy it worked well. That is the maturity with which Gunavathy Maindhan has handled the subject.

I am fortunate to say the Tamil version of the book was given to me for translation. I think I have done my good work



E.Gopal B.Sc., B.L.,, M.C.J

Dt 15/6/09
Chennai Senior Journalist & Advocate
President, The Hindu Employees Union