Chennai, November 2024: Rela Hospital is set to present a unique Kamba Ramayanam programme in Chennai, featuring a blend of recitations, English discourses, and soulful vocal performances of select verses from the timeless Tamil epic. The event will take place at Narada Gana Sabha on 23 November for the public and aims at making Kamba Ramayanam accessible and engaging for a diverse audience.
Prof. Mohamed Rela, and Dr. Priya Ramachandran will collaboratively narrate the original verses in Tamil and provide their explanations in English, while the acclaimed vocalist Mr. Sikkil Gurucharan will present the musical renditions of the verses in classical style in various ragas. Over 90 minutes, 14 verses will be showcased, offering an immersive experience that combines the profound essence of Kamban’s work with musical artistry.
Prof. Mohamed Rela, a globally acclaimed liver transplant surgeon and Chairman and Managing Director of Rela Hospital, is also a distinguished scholar of Kamba Ramayanam. Dr. Priya Ramachandran, Senior Consultant, Paediatric Surgery, Rela Hospital, is an expert in Kamba Ramayanam poetry. Mr. Sikkil Gurucharan, a renowned Indian classical vocalist, is a youth ambassador for Carnatic music.
Addressing a pre-event press conference, Prof. Mohamed Rela, said, “Kamban’s epic, with over 10,500 verses, is a magnificent literary masterpiece that is being explained in English and set to music for the public. The aim is to reach beyond the Tamil-speaking audience to all rasikas who appreciate poetry and music. I am thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Priya Ramachandran and Sikkil Gurucharan in bringing out the beauty and depth of Kamba Ramayanam. Dr. Priya and I have participated in several literary events together in the past, and Sikkil Gurucharan, a luminary in the Carnatic music world, will bring the verses to life with his musical genius. We look forward to offering an enriching and memorable experience of this timeless Tamil epic.”
In her address, Dr Priya Ramachandran said, “When the Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Modi, visited Srirangam earlier this year, Mr. Sikkil Gurucharan and I presented Kamban’s verses set to music, accompanied by explanations in English. This was very well received. Now, we are eager to bring this experience to a broader audience in Chennai and create greater awareness of the beauty of Kamban’s poetry. We are happy to have Prof. Mohamed Rela joining us this time. He has been deeply passionate about Tamil literature, particularly Kamba Ramayanam, since a young age. Despite his demanding schedule as a transplant surgeon, he has consistently nurtured his love for Tamil poetry. The addition of Prof. Mohamed Rela to this event will undoubtedly add immense value, enhancing the depth and impact of our presentation.”
In his address, Mr Sikkil Gurucharan said, “I am delighted to collaborate with Dr. Priya Ramachandran and Prof. Mohamed Rela to present Kamba Ramayanam in a new and innovative format. Our shared love and reverence for this epic unite us, transcending our individual fields of expertise. Dr. Priya’s profound knowledge of poetry and Prof. Rela’s deep passion for Kamban’s literature create a unique synergy. I believe that combining their insightful presentations with various ragas in Carnatic music will offer the audience a rich and multifaceted experience.”
