THIRUVALLUVAR
Thiruvalluvar is the founder of Tamil Humanism and is the author of the Thirukkural. He is an internationally celebrated Tamil humanist. Thiruvalluvar’s Tamil Humanism is the Path of Virtue. In prehistoric pre-Vedic ancient times “Samanam” meant Tamil Humanism.
Thiruvalluvar was born in Mayilapur in Tamil Nadu, on 15 January 31 BC. It is the day after the Tamil New Year.
Thiruvalluvar as a youth, grew into a student, farmer and state advisor. He was a textile weaver by profession. Thiruvalluvar fell in love with Vasuki, and their marriage was solemnised. She was a chaste, devoted, ideal wife. Thiruvalluvar showed by example that a person can lead the life of a householder and at the same time, lead a life of righteousness and respect. A beautiful daughter was born. They named her Mullai and brought her up with loving care.
In 300 BC, Elala Chola, the King of the Tamil country, ruled over Jaffna Kingdom (Eelam). Elelasingan was his descendant and a ship merchant of Mayilapur. He accepted Thiruvalluvar as his teacher and was his first disciple. One day in the evening, Elelasingan and Mullai met in a garden and they fell in love with each other. Thiruvalluvar solemnised Elelasingan’s marriage with Mullai.
Uggiraperuvazhuthi, the Tamil King, decided to send a delegation to Augustus Caesar to strengthen the trade link between the Tamil kingdom and the Roman Empire. Elelasingan was chosen as leader. Elelasingan left for Rome, taking leave from Mullai. He left in the month of July, and as he had promised Mullai, he returned in December.
Thiruvalluvar saw that many people in this world live without understanding humanist principles. He stayed in his house in Mayilapur and began writing his book under a Luppai tree.
He formulated the concepts based on the 70 000-year-old oral tradition of humanism and Thamirabarani civilization and Keeladi civilization which existed 3500 BC, and the civilization of the four Tamil kingdoms of Pandya, Chola, Chera and Jaffna (Eelam).
He wrote the philosophy of humanism into couplets in a book which he called Tamil Marai. Tamil Marai means Tamil Humanist Scripture or Tamil Value System. Thiruvalluvar also called it “Muppal”. Muppal means three kinds of subjects which are spirituality, social capital and love. Thereafter, he decided to travel propagating humanist principles to all people.
He travelled to Madurai to submit his work to the Pandya king. The Pandya kings ensured that many Tamil poets flourished. The Tamil Sangam of Madurai, which is an assembly of eminent poets, scholars and researchers, called his work “Thirukkural”. The Tamil Sangam introduced the Thirukkural to the world. The Thirukkural is considered as the ‘Sacred Word of God’. Thiruvalluvar is regarded as a Tamil prophet and The Messenger of God by the Tamil community.
Thiruvalluvar said to the King: “A small dew drop depicts even a Palmyra tree, so also the Kural. Oh King, spread these spotless couplets. Preach to the world the humanist message of the Thirukkural.”
The Tamil Calendar is dated from the birth of Thiruvalluvar and is called Thiruvalluvar Aandu. The Tamil New Year begins on the 14th of January, which is the first day of the first month (Thai) of the Tamil calendar. The next day is celebrated as Thiruvalluvar Day, as the 15th of January is the birthday of Thiruvalluvar. This celebration of New Year’s Day and Valluvar Day is part of the Pongal Festival. Due to the lunar calculations, it may be celebrated a day earlier or later.