Preface to adhyatma Ramayanam of Thunjathu Ezhuthachan

      Preface To Adhyathma Ramayanam  of   Thunjathu Ezhuthachan.
                                                                              By
                                                                P.R.Ramachander
      I am putting in an effort to translate in to  English along with transliteration  , possibly the greatest  book in Malayalam.  This book  is the spiritual story of Rama(Adhyatama Ramayanam)  which  has been translated  in to Malayalam  from the original  Sanskrit version found  in Brahmanda Purana, by Thunjathu Ezhuthachan in the 16th centaury. This is not the first attempt to translate  Ramayanam in to Malayalam.  A still older   attempt to translate   the Story of Rama was made by Kannasa  poets. But it was for the first time  that an attempt was made to write Ramayana in  the common people’s language  at that time. It became so popular over years  that  40-50 years ago many people claimed  that a copy of it would be available in every Malayalam speaking Hindu house. A month (July-August) was designated  as Ramayana month, and in millions of Malayali  homes , this great book would be fully read  in the original form during those thirty days.  Many devotees also attempt to read  the entire book  within 24 hours. Ofcourse, a book is kept in the pedestal and people take turns in reading it , so that  it can be completed  within 24 hours.  It is not an exaggeration to say that it is the greatest religious book of Hindus of Kerala.
    The entire book in Malayalam script  is available on line for free  download in
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/books/special/ramayanam/ebook/.   The mp3 recording  of the entire  book is also available for free  download  in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BHTAPVg2Ek
    But  to the best of my knowledge   there is no translation in to English  available in any web site . A few of my Malayali friends , specially Ramela Kizhakkedath  wanted   me to undertake this job, as  many of them who do not know how to read Malayalam are  feeling like orphans  without their being able  to read  this book, which has been regularly read by their families over several generations.  I thought that  this is an order to me by God and have started  the translation. I hope and pray for your best wishes so that I can complete this very  difficult  job.
    I am attaching a  remarkable write up  about what  is Adhyatma Ramayana and how it is different from Valmiki Ramayana  by a Scholar called Sri Sethumadhavan , with his permission.
   I wanted  to write a very detailed write up about  Thunjathu Ezhuthachan (literally translated as “The father of letters” belonging to Thunjath family.  But I found two scholarly write-ups  about him.  So I thought  my job would be better  done by quoting  those references.  They are
One by  Sri K.P.Narayana Pisharody  in http://c-radhakrishnan.info/acharyan.htm
And one  by  Sri Ullor Parameshwara Iyer  in http://c-radhakrishnan.info/ulloor.htm
   Even if I spend  an year  of research I would not be able to give more scholarly information than these.
   I have just completed   the transliteration  and Translation of Balakandam which I am uploading.  I am continuing  my translation work. As and when I complete a chapter I will upload the same .
   I am dedicating this great effort to my late father  Thekke Madam Kunju Rama Iyer of Chelakkara.