The biggest publishing coup of 2024 is here. The monumental work Ramayana by Kampan (Tamil literary tradition’s Greatest Poem) is being translated into English by a team of eminent scholars and the eight-volume work is expected to hot book shelves across the globe between 2028 to 2030, according to Penguin Random House.
In a media release on Monday, Penguin’s Saumya Jha, said that her company has acquired the complete English translation of Kampan’s Ramayana which ‘stands out for its innovative use of language, the psychological depth of its characters, and its profound engagement with the themes of power, truth, and divinity. The influence of Kampan’s Ramayana extends far beyond Tamil Nadu, impacting literary traditions in Kerala, parts of the Indian peninsula, and even the Southeast Asia. Despite its vast influence, a reliable and complete English translation of the text has been long overdue, largely due to its immense size. This new translation aims to prioritize completeness, clarity, and poetic beauty, making this influential poem accessible to both scholars and general readers alike’.
According to Saumya Jha, Penguin Random House, the translation of Kampan’s Ramayana is being executed by Dr Shiv Subramaniam, Emory University — Volume 1: Bala (Youth), Prof David Shulman, Hebrew University - Volume 2: Ayodhya (on Ayodhya), Prof Whitney Cox, University of Chicago —Volume 3: Araya (Wilderness), Dr Jennifer Clare, Independent Scholar - Volume 4: Kikindha (on Kikindha), Prof. Archana Venkatesan, UC Davis - Volume 5: Sundara (Loveliness), Dr. Aniruddhan Vasudevan, Princeton University — Volume 6 and 7: Yuddha Part 1 and 2 (War).
