What Is Thirukkural? All About the Tamil Classic that PM Modi Gifted to Vladimir Putin
The 2026 edition includes the original Tamil text, transliteration and a Russian translation by Naira Mkrtchyan, underscoring the work’s ethical themes.
- On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
- The Thirukkural, a collection of 1,330 couplets written over 2,000 years ago by poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, addresses virtue, morality, and governance as a foundational Tamil literary work.
- Published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, this 2026 edition includes the original Tamil text, transliteration, and a Russian translation by Naira Mkrtchyan, demonstrating the work's translation into numerous languages.
- Building on earlier efforts like installing the Sengol in Parliament in May 2023, Modi has consistently promoted Tamil heritage through multilingual translations of Tamil classics into the national spotlight.
- The Thirukkural's emphasis on human conduct and ethical wisdom allows it to travel across languages and cultures, with Modi frequently citing Sangam-era poet Kaniyan Pungundranar's line 'Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir' to convey universal kinship.
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11 Articles
PM Modi presented Russian President Putin with a Russian translation of the Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar's famous work, "Thirukkural," at the Bharat Mandapam. This nearly 2,000-year-old work contains 1,330 verses. Significantly, the Thirukkural is also said to have connections with Russia and Leo Tolstoy. Learn about this book's Russian connection in the video.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, gave Russian-language publication of the ancient Indian monument "Tirukural" to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and RTVI, Chief Researcher of the Indian Research Centre of the Institute of Eastern Studies of Evgeny Vanin, stated that there was no subtext to the choice of this work, and Modi followed a well-established tradition.
PM Modi meets Russian President ahead of BRICS summit; gifts him Thirukkural
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