The Hindu : Ramayana has universal appeal: RV

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 22, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

Ramayana has universal appeal: RV

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI April 21. The greatness of Ramayana lies in its conceptualisation of ``universal application, appeal and morality'', the former President, R.Venkataraman, said here today.

Releasing an English translation of Valmiki Ramayana, authored by L. Swaminathan, he said the timeless epic was a `document', epitomising that dharma should prevail in the world. He referred to different versions of Ramayana found in the south-eastern countries and the belief that the epic was enacted there.

Mr. Venkataraman, who is also president of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, commended Mr. Swaminathan for the work.

The chairman of the Bhavan's, Chennai Kendra, K.S.Bhaktavatsalam, said the book was simultaneously being released in Mumbai, along with the launch of the Bhavan's web site.

Receiving the first copy of the translation from Mr. Venkataraman, the Editor of The Hindu, N. Ravi, said the work helped to fill the yawning gap that existed for a translation of Valmiki Ramayana.

Providing an introduction of the book, the Hamsadhwani secretary, R. Ramachandran, said it was a comprehensive work of an industrial chemist, who had studied the epic in depth.

Industrialist, Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, received a copy of the work on the occasion.

The Bhavan's Chennai Kendra Director, T. K. Parameswaran, and the Deputy Director, K. N. Ramaswamy, were among those present.

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