Court Ruling on Tiruvalluvar’s Birthday Celebration

Why in the news?

The Madras High Court rejected a plea to change Tiruvalluvar’s birthday celebration to Vaikasi Anusham, affirming that the annual commemoration will remain on the second day of the Tamil month Thai.

Case Overview:

  • The Madras High Court dismissed a plea to officially recognize Tiruvalluvar’s birthday on the Anusham star day in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.
  • The petition, filed by Samy Thiagarajan in 2021, sought to shift the annual celebration of Tiruvalluvar Day from the second day of the Tamil month Thai to Vaikasi Anusham.

Background:

  • Tiruvalluvar, renowned for authoring the Tirukkural, is a celebrated Tamil saint-poet.
  • The petitioner argued that a 600-year-old temple in Mylapore, Chennai, commemorates Tiruvalluvar’s birth on Vaikasi Anusham, and Colombo-based Tamil scholar K.P. Ratnam supported this date.

Government and Court Response:

  • Advocate General P.S. Raman stated that Tiruvalluvar Day is celebrated to honour the poet’s literary contributions, not tied to a specific date.
  • The court rejected the plea, affirming that the Tamil Nadu government is not required to alter the date from the second day of Tamil month Thai, where the celebration is currently held.

About Thiruvalluvar Day:

  • Thiruvalluvar Day: Celebrated on January 16, 2024, during Pongal.
  • Honoree: Saint Thiruvalluvar, Tamil sage and author of Tirukkural, known for its ethical couplets.
  • Background: Thiruvalluvar lived in Mylapore (now Chennai), was a weaver by profession, and a Jain by religion.

About Thiruvalluvar:

  • Cultural Icon: Thiruvalluvar is revered by Tamils as a cultural icon.
  • Historical Context: Lived in Mylapore (modern Chennai) between the 4th and 6th centuries; birth year debated (31 BC or around 500 AD).
  • Major Work: Tirukkural—a significant Tamil text on ethics, politics, economics, and love.
  • Honouring Thiruvalluvar:
    • Early 16th century: Temple in Ekambareswarar temple complex,
    • 1976: Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, features a large auditorium.
    • 133-foot statue at
    • Statue unveiled in Ulsoor, Bengaluru, in 2009.

Key points :Thirukkural

  • Thirukkural: Classic Tamil text by Thiruvalluvar; 1,330 couplets.
  • Influence: Major impact on Tamil culture and life.
  • Divisions:
  • Aram (Virtue): Discusses righteousness, truth, and compassion; 38 sections.
  • Porul (Wealth): Insights on governance, economy, and friendship; 70 sections.
  • Inbam (Love): Explores human emotions, love, and family life; 25 sections.
  • Structure: 1330 couplets in 133 sections, poetic and memorable.
  • Themes: Ethics, morality, nonviolence, integrity, and virtues; essential in Tamil households.
  • Characteristics: Universally respected, secular nature, emphasises moral vegetarianism.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/thiruvalluvars-legacy-and-the-tirukkural/