By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON –Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday gifted a Russian translation of Tamil classic ‘Thirukkural’ to President Vladimir Putin at their meeting in New Delhi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
The Thirukkural, one of the most revered works of Tamil literature, comprises 1,330 couplets dealing with ethics, virtue, governance, love and the conduct of life.
Modi highlighted India’s literary and cultural heritage as he presented Putin with a Russian-language edition of Tamil classic..
The gift carries significance beyond diplomacy. The text’s ideas have travelled far beyond Tamil Nadu over the centuries, with translations making it accessible to readers in several Indian and foreign languages.
Thirukkural, also popular as simply Kural, is a classical Tamil text attributed to Thiruvalluvar. It comprises 1,330 couplets divided into 133 chapters, with 10 couplets in each chapter.
It deals extensively with human life and conduct, its subjects range from personal morality and family life to administration, politics and social relationships.
The work is divided into three broad sections: Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth and public life), and Inbam (love).
Aram: The first section focuses on virtue and ethical conduct. Its couplets address qualities and values such as truthfulness, compassion, self-control, generosity, hospitality and responsible family life.
Porul: The second and largest section remains focused around public and social life.
It discusses subjects including leadership, governance, justice, diplomacy, friendship, agriculture, education and the responsibilities of rulers and citizens.
The section shows that Thirukkural is not merely a collection of personal moral teachings and offers observations on power, administration and the functioning of society.
Inbam: The third section explores love and human relationships. Its couplets deal with emotions associated with love, including courtship, separation, longing and reunion.
Thiruvalluvar, the author of Thirukkural, occupies a revered place in Tamil literary and cultural tradition.
He is traditionally believed to have lived around 2,000 years ago in Madras’ Mylapore.
Revered for his wisdom and spiritual teachings, Thiruvalluvar’s influence on Tamil literature is undisputed.
His teachings have often been invoked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders.
On the occasion of Thiruvalluvar Day on January 16, Prime Minister Modi had said that his works and ideals inspire “innumerable people,” added that he “personifies the best of Tamil culture”.
