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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National

What is Thirukkural? 2,500-year-old ancient Tamil text written by poet Thiruvalluvar that PM Modi gifted to Vladimir Putin before BRICS Summit

Vladimir Putin Thiruvalluvar Narendra Modi New Delhi the BRICS Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during their meeting in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS Summit. The choice of book has drawn attention to one of Tamil literature's best-known works, an ancient collection of 1,330 couplets traditionally attributed to the poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar. The latest 2026 edition was translated by Naira Mkrtchyan.

The Thirukkural is not a book about one subject. Its 1,330 short couplets deal with morality, personal conduct, family life, politics, leadership, wealth, justice, friendship and love. The work is divided into three broad sections covering virtue, worldly affairs and love. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil describes it as a work that considers different aspects of human life and continues to remain relevant centuries after it was written.

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