Question

Kamban translated the original text of Ramayana into ____________ .
A. Sanskrit
B. Tamil
C. Pali
D. Bengali

Answer 1

Hint: Ramayana is one of the ancient epics in world literature consisting of 24,000 verses in the form of shloka which is written by Maharishi Valmiki in Sanskrit narrating the life of Lord Rama of the kingdom of Kosala. There are around 300 versions of Ramayana written in different languages.

Complete step by step Answer: Ramayana was first written by Maharishi Valmiki based on the knowledge of sage Narada. He narrates the life of Lord Rama about his fourteen-year exile with his wife and brother Lakshaman to the forest as his father king Dasharatha has ordered on the request of Rama’s Stepmother Kaikeyi.
Being the oldest and one of the famous epic literature, it has spread to many Asian countries including Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Japan and Nepal etc and within India there are many regional versions written in Tamil (Ramavataram), Telugu Molla Ramayana, Bengali Krittivasi Ramayan etc.
Looking at the options:
Option A. As mentioned Maharishi Valmiki originally wrote Ramayana in Sanskrit sometime in the 5th century. This is an Incorrect answer.
Option B. Kamban Ramayanam is a tamil epic also known as Ramavataram was written by tamil poet Kamban during the 12th century. This epic is translated based on Valmiki’s Ramayana. This is the correct option.
Option C. Pali is the traditional language of Theravada Buddhism. This is an incorrect answer.
Option D. Krittibas Ojha wrote Bengali version of Ramayana ‘Krittivasi Ramayana’ in the 15th century. This is an incorrect option.

Note: Ramayana has been expressed by different literary and visual forms in various languages. Visual forms like Dance, Theatre, Paintings, Poetry and Masked drama etc. narrate the story of Lord Rama and his life according to their versions. So, do not get confused between different names of Ramyana.