Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:36pm on 11 Sep 2026,Friday India Global
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during their meeting, highlighting the Tamil classic’s international reach and cultural significance in diplomacy. Written by Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural is a celebrated work of classical Tamil literature comprising 1,330 couplets across 133 chapters. Its themes include virtue, governance, wealth, friendship, relationships and love. The concise verses have allowed the work to travel beyond Tamil-speaking communities. Over the centuries, the Thirukkural has been translated into numerous languages, giving readers worldwide access to a text whose themes remain familiar despite its antiquity. Modi’s choice of a Russian translation underscored the enduring cultural power of literature in diplomatic exchanges.
