27th April 2008 (3:00 - 5:00 PM)
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The only gift is giving to the poor; All else is exchange. kural-221

Proceedings
(International Thirukkural Conference 2005)

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Message by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, The President of India

About Thirukkural

Thirukkural written by Thiruvalluvar is one of the most notable literary and ethical treatises in the Indian languages. There is a general consensus among the historians and literary authorities that Thirukkural was written around 2000 years ago.  Thirukkural is one of the few literary works that have survived over the past two thousand years and is regarded as relevant even today. 

Thirukkural aims at guiding human beings to lead a moral, ethical and useful life in this world. Its focus, unlike religious works, is "life on earth" and “life-affirmation”.  According to the author, "One who lives an ideal life in this world will be ranked amongst the Gods in heaven".  In an ever-changing world, Thirukkural deals with certain basic, but permanent, aspects of life such as morality, ethics, politics, and romance. Thirukkural has been translated in more than 30 languages, and is the most translated book on ethics in the world next only to the Bible and the Koran.

The word Thirukkural is a combination of two Tamil words "Thiru" and "kural".  Among other things, the word Thiru means beautiful or auspicious.  The word "kural' means short poem consisting of two lines, a couplet. Thirukkural consists of 1330 couplets. Therefore the title of the work given by the author is “Muppaal” meaning three parts. These 1330 couplets are divided into three parts. The first part deals with the ethical code of conduct (virtues) and the second part deals with political governance, wealth and other topics of social and material interest. The third part deals with romance and love. The most important features of Thirukkural are: 1) it is secular in nature, 2) it is universal and applicable to people living everywhere, 3) it is everlasting and its messages transcend time. This secular, universal and immortal nature of Thirukkural combined with its conciseness and literary charm has been the pride of Tamil people for the past many centuries.

 

E-mail :support@thirukkural2005.org

 

© 2005 International Thirukkural Conference by Tamil Sangam of Greater Washington, Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America, International Society for Tamil Cultural Studies (Madurai), Mylai Thiruvalluvar Tamil Sangam (Mylapore) and other Tamil organizations & institutions.