Kambar (poet)
Kamban (Tamil: கம்பன் kampan [ kambən ] ) or Kambar ( Honorificum; Tamil: கம்பர் Kampar [ kambər ] ) is a Tamil poet. He probably lived in the 12th century and wrote the Kambaramayanam, the Tamil version of the Ramayana epic. He is often considered the greatest poet of the Tamil literary history and is concerned with the nickname " Emperor of the poet " ( kavichakravarti ). Because of the importance of the Ramayana in Hinduism Kamban is also object of religious worship.
About Kamban Biography Little is known accurately. Even the meaning of his name is not entirely clear: He probably derives from a nickname of Lord Shiva in Kanchipuram from. But perhaps there is also a connection to a historic district in the landscape Chola Nadu called Kamba Nadu ( " Kamba - land"). A common nickname Kamban is because even Kambanattalvar, " Alvar ( saint poet ) from the Kamba - land." However, the name Kamban is also popular etymology with the words Kambu " corn " and Kambam " column ", " pile " has been linked. What is certain only that Kamban as a member of Uvachan - caste, a community of temple drummers, was born in the village Tiruvazhunthur in today Thanjavur district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. His patron was a prince named Sadaiyappan or Sadaiyan, which he mentioned in every thousand verses of his work.
The dating Kamban is uncertain and is set between the 9th and 12th centuries. After a verse from the Kambaramayanam the work in the year 885 was written, but an alternative interpretation of the same verse continues the work of the 12th century. Certain references in the text are used to reference either to the Chola king Uttama (r. 973-985 ), or the later Kulottunga III. (1178-1218) interpreted. In one verse of Kamban refers to a king Amalan which is identified with Kulottunga II ( 1132-1150 ). Therefore, it is considered likely that Kamban not lived Kulottunga II. The upper limit is, however, by the author Periyavachan Pillai set (First half of the 13th century ), who cites in his commentary on the Divya Prabandham Kamban. Thus, the 12th century is regarded as the most probable lifetime Kamban.
Besides the Kambaramayanam Kamban be attributed to a number of other less important works. This includes two songs in praise of agriculture with the title Erelupadu and Tirukkaivalakkam and the two religious hymns Sadagoparandadi and Sarasuvadiyandadi. In all of these Kamban authorship is doubtful.