I feel very happy and blessed to address you at the closing ceremony of the Travancore Devaswom Board's observance of Ramayana Maasam. Today, we see the culmination of a month of devotion and prayers in the form of recital of Ramayana in several temples and hundreds of homes all over Kerala.

       Let me at the outset, place on record, my appreciation for the Travancore Devaswom Board's involvement in organizing the Ramayana Maaasam in as many venues as possible. As the month of Karkadakam comes to a close, we are stepping into the season of joy and festivities of Onam, the unique State Festival of Kerala.

       The observance of Ramayana Maasam is not just another ritual. It signifies the celebration of a unique aspect of our cultural heritage. In observing Ramayana Maasam in the Month of Karkadakam, we are paying our respects to the noble messages of the epic called Adhyaatma Ramayanam. It is also a homage to the sacred memory of   Thunchath Ezhuthachchan, the poetic Acharya who recreated that epic in the language of the common man. 

       As we all know, Ramayana is known to be an epic with a very large number of versions all over India. In Tamil, for instance, we have poet Kambar's Raamavathaaram, better known as Kamba Ramayanam. The Malayalam language has been fortunate to have been blessed, nurtured and even been shaped by Adhyaatma Ramayanam Kilippattu.

       History also tells us that the composing of Adhyaatma Ramayanam is to be seen in the light of the influence of the Bhakti Movement that became popular throughout Tamil Nadu during the period of the Pallavas.  Bhakthi or devotion was seen as a method of uniting people to overcome social and communal barriers. In a way, Adhyatma Ramayana, which emphasizes that  actual worth does not lie in clan or name, also played an emancipatory role in the cultural history of Kerala.  Another work by Ezhuthachan, entitled Chinthaa Ratnam, had emphasized the need for progress of women in society. 

       As I mentioned earlier, the significance of Adhyatma Ramayana goes beyond the re-telling of the story of Ramayana as a religious text. It portrays the character of Sree Rama as the embodiment of all virtues that a human being can and should imbibe. Adhyatma Ramayanam gave the masses the picture of such a role model.

       Ezhuthachan being a teacher by nature, his intention of composing and popularizing Adhyatma Ramayana is  seen as an effort to initiate the downtrodden people of his times, into the world of letters. The very fact that the ability to recite and explain Sundara kaandam of Ramayana was once seen as the qualification for teachers of earlier days, is ample proof of this work's significance in our cultural and educational sphere.

       The word religion itself denotes the coming together of people. When we see the recital of Ramayana as a religious act, we find a noble purpose being served by it, namely,   bringing the family together. Every incident in it gives a lesson in human relationships and situations and every line seems relevant  even in the present context. Hidden between the lines are insights on statecraft, the role of the citizen,  leadership skills, governance and so on.

       In Kerala, the month of Karkadakam has been traditionally seen as a month of scarcity and scantiness. The heavy rains once used to render workers jobless and worsen poverty and diseases. The recital of Ramayana was seen as a shelter from such negative conditions. But, the richness of the spiritual experience provided by such recitals always remained unmatched in Kerala's life style.

       However, today, there are many who lament the lack of interest among people for such family recitals, since the evening hours are taken away by Television and the social media. But, we should also see the rising number of options available to people for reading and listening to the Ramayana recital. We have it on the Radio, television and online video resources, which even demonstrate the traditional and precise style of recital.

       The Travancore Devaswom Board's efforts to popularize Ramayana by observing Ramayana Maasam in its temples is certainly a laudable step towards preserving our cultural heritage. The tremendous response it receives is ample testimony to the people's interest in spiritually cleansing and recharging their minds to do good for mankind and society.

       From the month of scarcity, we are stepping into the month of plenty. But, let us not be lost in the glitter of that plenty. Let Karkadakam and Ramayana Maasam strengthen the humanist in each of us. Let us learn from this month, the lessons of love and forgiving.

       I compliment the Travancore Devaswom Board  conducting this function in a befitting manner. I greet each and everyone present hereand wish them a very happy Onam in advance.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind