Kamban - A few random thoughts
On Friday, NRR called me to check if I would be interested in attending a Harikatha performance by T N Seshagoplan. I was and we both attended the performance, which was a good one. When I heard Seshagopalan sing, I thought I should write about him in my blog. As the katha progressed and he started quoting from Kamba Ramayanam, I decided that I will write what I know about Kamban. Which, you will discover, is not much. (Did that ever stop a blogger? All that you need to blog is an blog account, internet connection and time. I have all three in abundance this lazy Diwali afternoon.) First thing that impressed me about Kamban's poetry, as I heard TNS recite it, was how wonderfully it captured the particular scene and made it jump right in front of your eyes. The poetry enabled you to visualize it as if you were watching it on a screen. This aspect of Kamban's poetry was first brought to light to me by my mother. She recited parts of Narasimavataram (yes, Narasimavataram in R...