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| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
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Features |  |
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Kamban Vizha : Marking Tamil cultural heritage by Thava Sajitharan In Sri Lanka, there is no other Tamil literary event to approximate 'Kamban Vizha (Kamban festival)', which took place in Colombo from May 21 to 24 this year. The festival, named after one of the greatest poets in the annals of Tamil literature who wrote the matchless epic 'Ramayan' in Tamil, is organized and conducted annually by Colombo Kamban Kazhakam - the Sri Lankan branch of a large literary association functioning with the goal to propagate the nobility of the epic and the poet. This time, what makes the festival more significant is that the association celebrates its silver jubilee this year. The event is widely commended by many scholars and others, quite deservingly so, for its grandness and worthiness. It is held in such a fascinating way that the stage witnesses a swelling amount of spectators every year. The stage for the event is always astonishingly adorned and its set-up structure would evoke the image of old days' court of Tamil kings where scholars and poets were said to converge to discuss and contemplate matters on literature. Thus Kamban Kazhakam seeks to stick with the tradition. All credits should go to those who devote themselves for the success of the festival whose enduring efforts finally make it look an effortless accomplishment. And such evident dedication is one of the causes that prompted me to write this description. However my intention is not to write a critical review on Kamban Vizha but to give readers an introduction about it. This year Kamban Vizha began showing no discrepancy in significance to the previous ones. The head of Colombo Kamban Kazhakam, retired High court judge C.V. Vigneswaran presided over the first day's session. The association had invited many academics and experts in the literary field both from India and Sri Lanka. As the scheduled programs went on for four days held in two sessions one in the morning and the other in the evening, the special invitees presented several discourses on contemporary as well as ancient Tamil literature mainly focusing on Kamban's poetry. Presentations and performances did really draw viewers' attention making them glued up. Speakers and performers immeasurably catered to the appetite of viewers. The happenings of the event included oratories, debates, musical programs, dance, poetry forum and etc. There is another mention-worthy progressive activity carried out by Colombo Kamban Kazhakam for future reaping. The association conducts poetry competition and oratory competition every year in order to identify and encourage young talents. Winners of the competitions for this year were awarded medals and certificates on the first day. Finally I should not forget to grouse on one issue. Apart from the numerous admirable and commendable facets of Kamban Vizha, what one would have felt as something out of ordinary this time was the visible presence of few politicians on the stage to be "honored" on the first day. Kamban Kazhakam has honoured and awarded many people who had served the society in various ways over the past years, and its credibility was never questioned or doubted. As the festival is highly regarded for preserving the cultural values of the Tamil society, its reputation of not being exerted by politics is heartily welcomed by many. Yet 'seeing pollutants, oops, politicians in Kamban Vizha' is new, unusual and possibly absurd! Thus my pen inevitably goes to impugn... |
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