Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurates Kamba Ramayana Parayanam at Srirangam to revive oral recital tradition
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the Kamba Ramayana Parayanam at Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, on 18 March 2025, launching a South Zone Cultural Centre initiative to revive the oral tradition of reciting the Tamil epic.
Summary
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the Kamba Ramayana Parayanam at the Singar Kovil Auditorium in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on 18 March 2025. The programme by the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur, under the Ministry of Culture, aims to revive the declining oral tradition of Kamba Ramayana recitals by local mandalis (troupes). Recitals were to follow at temples across the state, including Thirupullambuthangudi, Madurantakam, Thiruneermalai and Vaduvur, from 20 to 29 March, and a festival at Kambar Medu in Therazhundur, the birthplace of the poet Kambar, from 30 March to 6 April (Rama Navami).
Key facts
- Date
- 18 March 2025
- Place
- Singar Kovil Auditorium, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli
- By
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- Organiser
- South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur
- Phase II
- Kambar Medu, Therazhundur, 30 March–6 April 2025
- Aim
- Revive oral recital tradition by mandalis
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where did Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurate the Kamba Ramayana Parayanam on 18 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli
Shekhawat inaugurated the Kamba Ramayana Parayanam at the Singar Kovil Auditorium in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli.
Which body under the Ministry of Culture organised the 2025 initiative to revive the oral recital tradition of the Kamba Ramayana in Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: A — South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur
The initiative is by the South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC), Thanjavur, under the Ministry of Culture.
Kambar Medu, the venue of the Kamba Ramayana festival from 30 March to 6 April 2025 and the birthplace of the poet Kambar, is at which place in Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: B — Therazhundur
The week-long festival was held at Kambar Medu, the birthplace of Kambar in Therazhundur. Madurantakam, Vaduvur and Thiruneermalai were among the temples hosting recitals.