India's biggest epics transit to Web 2.0
Kalady ( Kerala) based Malayalam professor P.R. Harikumar of the Sree Sankara College has created an e-book version of Adhyatma Ramayanam the most widely read Malayalam language version of the Ramayana, written during the 16th century by Thunchathu Ezhuthachan – and placed it for free download on his web page (http://www.prharikumar.net/ramayanam_e-book ).
The 500 page e-book – all six kandas or books from Balakandam to Udhakandam -- convert to a 1 MB PDF file.
Harikumar has earlier created mobile editions of Adhyatma Ramayanam in Malayalam and Thirukkural in Tamil. He also presented India's first Phone Novel-'Neelakkannukal'(Blue Eyes) in Malayalam and directed India's first Pocket Film- 'A boy in his time', for mobile viewing (Fiction on your hand-phone! http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/26/stories/2006112600661100.htm )
Ezhuthachan’s Adhyatma Ramayanam is seeing a sudden return to popularity among Keralites these days: Both leading Malayalam dailies Mathrubhoomi and Malayala Manorama have published annotated versions, as have Kerala based publisher including DC Books and Siso Books. The ongoing “Ramayana month” of Karikadakom now ongoing, has seen another spurt in interest.
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