Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin paid rich homage to Saint Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day.
Taking to his social media platform X, PM Modi remembered the iconic Tamil philosopher, poet, and thinker, the illustrious Thiruvalluvar, on the occasion of his birth anniversary. He said Thiruvalluvar’s values reflect the essence of Tamil culture and the nation’s philosophical heritage.
In his post, he said:
“On Thiruvalluvar Day, we remember one of our land’s greatest philosophers, poets, and thinkers, the great Thiruvalluvar. His verses reflect the essence of Tamil culture and our philosophical heritage. His teachings emphasize righteousness, compassion, and justice. His timeless work, the Tirukkural, stands as a beacon of inspiration, offering profound insights on a wide range of issues. We will continue to work hard to fulfill his vision for our society.”
On Thiruvalluvar Day, we remember one of our land’s greatest philosophers, poets, and thinkers, the great Thiruvalluvar. His verses reflect the essence of Tamil culture and our philosophical heritage. His teachings emphasize righteousness, compassion, and justice. His timeless…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2025
PM Modi also posted a tweet in Tamil, praising Saint Thiruvalluvar.
நமது நாட்டின் மிகச்சிறந்த தத்துவஞானிகள், புலவர்கள் மற்றும் சிந்தனையாளர்களில் ஒருவரான திருவள்ளுவரைத் திருவள்ளுவர் தினத்தில் நாம் நினைவுகூர்வோம். அவர் இயற்றிய திருக்குறள் தமிழ் கலாச்சாரம் மற்றும் பாரம்பரியத்தின் சாரத்தைப் பிரதிபலிக்கிறது. அவரது போதனைகள் நீதி, கருணை, நேர்மை…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 15, 2025
In an official statement released by Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan, Governor R.N. Ravi said:
“The nation remembers with profound gratitude and utmost reverence Thiruvalluvar, the Tamil patron saint of Bharat. Several thousand years ago, he bequeathed us the unparalleled wisdom of the Tirukkural, the matchless oath for every individual and institution. In the Sanatan civilizational tradition of Bharat, he taught us the sublimity of devotion to God and the profundity of right conduct in our individual and collective lives. He laid down a holistic virtuous code for all sections of society as well as the rulers.
Though we are celebrating Thiruvalluvar Day today, he remains our everyday guide and should be remembered and celebrated daily. Thanks to Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi, who is a great devotee of Thiruvalluvar, the teachings of the Tirukkural are now resonating across the world.”
பாரதத்தின் தமிழ் போற்றும் தெய்வப்புலவர் திருவள்ளுவரை தேசம் ஆழ்ந்த நன்றியுடனும்,மற்றும் மிகுந்த பயபக்தியுடனும் நினைவுகூர்கிறது. பல்லாயிரம் ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு அவர் ஒவ்வொரு தனிநபருக்கும் அமைப்புக்கும் பொருந்தக்கூடிய ஒப்பற்ற வழிகாட்டியான திருக்குறளை வழங்கினார். பாரதத்தின் சனாதன… pic.twitter.com/7Uhfb21O2B
— LOK BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@lokbhavan_tn) January 15, 2025
The Governor further noted, “Kural refers to the Tirukkural, which is a collection of hundreds of Thiruvalluvar’s couplets on various topics. Thiruvalluvar Day is typically observed on January 15 in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, as part of the annual Pongal festivities.”
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin also shared his message (originally in Tamil) on X, saying:
“Let us honour Ayyan Thiruvalluvar, the symbol of Tamil greatness who provided a common standard for all people of the world! Let us follow the path of the Kural! Let us maintain an egalitarian society!”
However, to find a fault in every act of Governor RN Ravi, critics found that the portrait of Thiruvalluvar to which governor offered tributes was in saffron attire, and pointing to this act, critics started comparing with Tamil Nadu’s official government image with white robes, finding difficulty in a sage with saffron dress keeping aside his rich philosophy and knowledge.
சனாதான மண்ணாங்கட்டி 🚶
மாற்றை உடைக்க நினைக்கும்..
உடைக்க முடியாத போது அனைத்துமே தன்னுடையது என உரிமை கொண்டாடும்..
சனாதானத்திற்கு சொந்தமானதென்று எதுவுமில்லை.
வெண்மை, காவி, கருப்பு உட்பட அனைத்து வண்ணமுமே தமிழருடையது..
வள்ளுவரும் தமிழரின் பெருமையே❤️#திருவள்ளுவர்தினம் pic.twitter.com/xQbaxK4vhC
— தருமபுரிக்காதலன்- ஹரி (@dharumapuri1) January 15, 2025
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) chief Selvaperunthagai condemned the Governor’s act, saying, “The Governor has been continuously dishonoring not only the poet Thiruvalluvar but the entire Tamilian race. The Centre should recall him immediately.”
Critics have accused Dravidian parties of failing to adhere to the teachings mentioned in Thiruvalluvar’s 1,330 couplets. They note specific values such as abstaining from meat, avoiding alcohol, not coveting another’s wife, and devotion to God. Critics argue that Dravidian parties, particularly the DMK, aim to alter Thiruvalluvar’s spiritual and iconic image into that of an atheist. “They will never succeed,” they claim.
The controversy over Thiruvalluvar’s exact birth date continues. Governor Ravi subscribes to the viewpoint of research scholars who assert that Thiruvalluvar was born in the Tamil month of Vaikasi under the star Anusham. However, Dravidian leaders celebrate the bard’s birthday on the second day of the Tamil month Thai (January) to align with their preferences.
According to Tamil professor Samy Thiyagarajan and several Tamil scholars, Thiruvalluvar’s birthday falls on Vaikasi Anusham. Notably, the Madras High Court dismissed a plea in September last year to officially recognize Thiruvalluvar’s birthday on the Anusham star day in Vaikasi.
