Meet Padmanabhan, the man with 228 Ramayana versions

KOZHIKODE: Padmanabhan owns 228 versions of the Ramayana in different languages, including Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, Malayalam, and Nepali. The 75‑year‑old also preserves around 2,000 books and 600 antiques in his home, called 'Chinthagruham,' treating them like treasures. He hails from Manathana in Peravoor, Kannur. His collection includes Ramayana interpretations, studies, and even 17th‑century illustrated Ramayana manuscripts.

Recently, he added to his collection the Ramayana written by Thycaud Ayyaguru, sourced from Thrissur. The collection even has miniature Ramayanas just three millimetres in size.

Parts of the Ramayana and the Lalitha Sahasranama Stotra written on palm leaves were collected from old traditional homes. Fifty‑two Ramayanas that were never printed have been preserved by copying their digital versions from social media groups. Padmanabhan has also organised about 450 exhibitions across Kannur.

Many people, including research students, regularly visit 'Chinthagruham' to see and study his collection. Three years ago, he also began collecting books on the Mahabharata, which has now grown to 80 volumes.

Reading Ramayana to clear doubts

Padmanabhan says he started reading the Ramayana years ago to clear his own doubts about it. This curiosity led him to discover different versions and eventually start collecting them. After retiring as a Superintending Officer from Excise in 2005, he devoted more time to this passion. During the Ramayana month, he conducts Ramayana readings at home.

Family: Wife – Omana; Children – Vijay Shankar and Shalini.