For centuries, it has been a practice for Keralites to recite Thunchathu Ezhuthachan’s ‘Adhyatma Ramayanam’ each day throughout the month of Karkidakam. In the past, it was a matter of pride to become an established reciter. However, as time passes, the culture has started fading out. It is in this scenario that the Vazhamuttom Kunnumpuram Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple here is setting an example by conducting a month-long programme for teaching how to properly recite the Ramayana.
“Nowadays, most of the established Ramayana readers are well past 60 or 70 years of age. By this programme, we are intending to spread the message that even kids can recite Ramayana in its proper way. The course aims at giving an insight to the younger generation who are ignorant and oblivious about our great epics and for spreading the culture of reciting Ramayana at homes,” said Shajimon, secretary of Kunnumpuram Subrahmanya Samajam.
A class of one-and-a-half hours is conducted every day by Swami Bodhi Theertha of Sivagiri Math on the temple premises. The classes are from 10 am to 11.30 am. Most of the participants are housewives coming from places around the temple.
“Everybody knows the essence of the epic. It is impossible to explain the line-by-line meaning of the epic within such a short period of time. So, for now, at the classes, the abstract of the portion to be read is imparted and then five pages are recited. The way of recital is unique for Ramayana and the learners are mainly trained to pause and resume at the proper points and to maintain the rhythm of reading,” said Shajimon.
“By the end of the month, we are expecting to cover the portions till ‘Pattabhishekam.’ Fourteen women attended the programme on the first day on Karkidakam 1. The number shot up to 20 on the very next day. The number will increase by the weekend. By the end of the month, we are expecting to teach 100 participants. We are also planning to conduct special classes for teaching Ramayana in detail in future,” he added.
“The proposal was made by the members of the Samajam. Those who know how to recite Ramayana properly also joined the class in order to train others. Usually, we simply read lines. But here, we are being taught to read through the lines and understand their essence,” said Sushama, the unit secretary of the Samajam, who has been attending the classes from day one.
