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

What is Thirukkural?

Thirukkural, also known simply as Kural, is a classical Tamil text traditionally attributed to Thiruvalluvar. It is written in Old Tamil and consists of 1,330 couplets, known as kurals. Each couplet is a short, tightly structured verse that conveys an idea or lesson.


The work is divided into 133 chapters, with 10 couplets in each chapter. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil's digital archive also records the complete structure as 133 chapters and 1,330 kurals.

Rather than focusing only on religious teachings, Thirukkural explores everyday questions about how people should live and behave. Its subjects include truthfulness, self-control, kindness, gratitude, hospitality, education and giving.

It also moves beyond individual behaviour. The text discusses rulers, ministers, justice, taxation, forts, armies, agriculture, friendship and other matters connected with society and government. Its final section turns towards love and relationships.

How old is Thirukkural?

Thirukkural is often described as a text that is around 2,000 to 2,500 years old. However, its exact date is debated among scholars.

The work has been dated at different points between about 300 BCE and the fifth century CE. Some linguistic studies place its composition later, around the fifth century CE, rather than in the earliest period traditionally associated with it.

This means calling it a 2,500-year-old text reflects one of the traditional or earlier dating ranges, rather than an undisputed historical date.

The Central Institute of Classical Tamil itself describes the work as having been written more than 2,000 years ago and highlights its continuing relevance across changing societies.

What are the three parts of Thirukkural?

The 133 chapters are arranged into three major sections.

The first is Aram, or virtue. It focuses on ethical conduct and the qualities that make a person lead a good life.

The second is Porul, which deals with worldly affairs. This is the largest section and includes subjects such as leadership, government, justice, wealth, friendship, agriculture and social life.

The third is Inbam, which deals with love and human relationships.

This structure is one reason the book covers such a wide range of subjects despite being made up entirely of short couplets.

Why was a Russian edition gifted to Putin?

The edition presented to Putin connects the ancient Tamil work with a modern Russian readership. The book contains the Tamil original, its transliteration and a Russian translation of the verses.

The Central Institute of Classical Tamil's translation projects follow this format, placing the Tamil couplet first, followed by its Roman-script transliteration and translation into the target language.

The Russian translation therefore allows readers who cannot read Tamil to access the ideas of Thiruvalluvar while also seeing the original text.

Why is Thirukkural still relevant?

The subjects in Thirukkural are remarkably broad. It speaks about how people treat others, how leaders should govern, how justice should work and how individuals should handle relationships and desire.

The Central Institute of Classical Tamil says the work avoids limitations of time, language, race, caste and creed and presents principles that can remain relevant across generations.

That long reach is central to Thirukkural's importance in Tamil literature. A work composed centuries ago can still be read as a collection of observations about ordinary human behaviour, public life and relationships.

Modi's choice of a Russian edition for Putin therefore puts the focus not only on India's Tamil literary heritage but also on a text whose themes were written to speak about human life in its many forms.