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, governance, and social conduct as foundational Tamil literature.
- Published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, this 2026 edition includes the original Tamil text, transliteration, and a Russian translation by Naira Mkrtchyan, reflecting its universal reach across languages.
- Modi has consistently elevated Tamil heritage through diplomatic initiatives, installing the Sengol in Parliament in May 2023 and launching multilingual and Braille translations of Tamil classics.
- Tamil literary tradition has found increasing prominence in Modi's international speeches, particularly through Sangam-era poet Kaniyan Pungundranar's line 'Yaadhum Oore, Yaavarum Kelir', conveying universal kinship and belonging.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Cultural diplomacy at BRICS: PM Modi presents ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural to Vladimir Putin
On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural. Published in 2026 by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, the edition features original Tamil verses alongside transliterations and a translation by Naira Mkrtchyan. Composed by the poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar between 300 BCE and 500 CE, the iconic …
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.
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