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Continued
from yesterday's instalment
 As we had seen earlier when we were discussing Hanuman (See: Crisis turning into calamity) Sugriva was dead drunk in Kamban's version of the Ramayana, when Lakshmana stormed into the castle of Kishkindha. Kamban skilfully uses the opportunity later to build a strong case against drinking, through the repentant mouth of Sugriva. When Lakshmana came in, there was no one around capable of handling the situation. Only Angada notices the arrival of Lakshmana and realises that he is angry. He runs to Sugriva and finding that he couldn't be shaken up out of his liquor-induced-stupor, he summons Hanuman for help.
But the situation was out of hand for even Hanuman to initiate any action. Therefore they rush to Tara. The scene changes from what Valmiki depicted, hundred percent. Kamban however, places the emphasis on the upright nature of Tara. 'So you have delayed your efforts in organising the Vanara army for searching Sita? How could you do such a thing to Rama? Whose work do you think that you neglect?' was her first reaction.
'vaaliyaar uyir kaalanum vaanga vir kOli'
(Rama) bent his arrow in such a way that even Yama (who was otherwise afraid of coming near) came to take the life away of Vali and
'vaaliya selvam koduthavar pOlumaal um purathu iruppaar'
gave you all the riches on earth; and he is the one who is neglected by your lot.
'idhu saalumaal ungaL thanmayinOrkku elaam.' That fits so beautifully well for your lot, thankless brutes.
Though Tara sounds very harsh initially, she steps forward to meet Lakshmana to meet him before he reaches the doorway leading to where Sugriva was lying boozed. And the meeting between Tara and Lakshmana is a remarkable stroke of an expert artiste in the hands of Kamban. Tara was not properly clad nor was she in her senses when she met Lakshmana, in Valmiki. She leads a very pious life and her appearance was - as we saw in our last instalment - so very respectable and noble that Lakshmana could not but help think of his mothers and was moved to tears. If Lakshmana's anger was diffused by his shy nature when Tara appeared before him as Valmiki says, "The celebrated Tara whose eyes were rolling through intoxication, (nay) who was endowed with auspicious marks on her body, sought tottering the presence of Lakshmana, the gold string of her girdle hanging loose and her slender frame bent low," (Valmiki Ramayana, Kishkindha Kanda, Canto XXXIII, Sloka 38) it was her motherliness that stopped Lakshmana from showing his anger, in Kamban's version.
 Even here, Kamban adds a few things. Tara by way of precaution had collected a bevy of enchanting Vanara women when she walked into the presence of Lakshmana and adds with a touch of humour that Lakshmana blushed to see so many women around and could not see them. He hung his head low, fighting shy, unable to see them.
And that was Tara. A woman who was so keen in the administrative matters, who showed extraordinary skill in collecting vital information and was never afraid of bearding the lion, though not in its own den, faced adverse situations and was given the tempting option to install Angada as the king but stood steadfast. She goes even a step up with the depiction of Kamban as a noble and pious soul, later. A fitting tribute indeed to a woman who is one among the five celebrated women - pancha kanya - in our legends.
Hari Krishnan
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