Latest news with #Thirukkural
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tamil script weaves a new identity in fashion
1 2 3 4 5 In Tamil Nadu, language has always been a hot topic. Now, it's haute as well. Case in point: Chennai-based designer Vivek Karunakaran's latest collection Idam (Tamil for 'place'), which debuted in Feb at the FDCI India Men's Week in Jaipur, featuring the Tamil script as individual letters and complete Thirukkural couplets. Karunakaran says the collection began as a tribute to the city, but from there, the thread of the narrative evolved into a celebration of identity, "an unapologetic expression of who we are and where we come from". He adds that the collection is being expanded to include women's wear. "It's declaration of pride." In one look, Karunakaran has a verse of the Kural block-printed on a jacket paired with Korean pants. "We've gone beyond just printing the alphabet to creating meaningful designs," says Karunakaran, whose clothes are priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 60,000. Designers from outside Tamil Nadu too are scripting the language into their couture. In Mumbai, actor Sonam Kapoor was recently spotted in a cream saree designed by Masaba, which had the Tamil letters, 'th', 'na' and more in black and gold. "The Tamil script has a unique visual ap peal," says Karthiknathan S, a graphic designer who specialises in Tamil lettering. "With almost 216 distinct characters, there is a lot of visual diversity." He adds that when Tamil was adapted into a font, ascenders and descenders were adjusted for visual consistency. "As a result, words and sentences form patterns with varying heights and depths. Depending on the preceding or following letter, ascenders or descenders are altered, creating intriguing patterns. It pushes the possibilities of what can be done with the Tamil letter". This, perhaps, explains why Tamil-script clothes have been well received, even by those unfamiliar with the language, says Dubai-based designer Vino Supraja, who has incorporated it into her collection 'Purisai', named after the Purisai Nadaga Pairchi Palli, a therukoothu school founded by Kannapa Sambandhan Ayya, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year. She adds that the appeal is so universal that most of her clients for the collection are Emiratis and Singaporeans, not Tamilians. "After our London Fashion Week show, the script became a conversation starter. It gave us a chance to discuss Tamil language, therukoothu, and Purisai's cultural richness. The Tamil script is the visual anchor," says Supraja, who grew up in Vandavasi, 10km from Purisai, where her father served as a doctor. Supraja also wore a saree featuring the school's name in her handwriting when she received the Glob al Sustainable Trailblazer Award recently at the House of Commons. Mayank Bhutra, a designer from Rajasthan raised in Erode (which is why he has named his brand Erode), says using the Tamil script in his clothes is about celebrating the place where he grew up. "We're in the process of developing our own typeface for the clothes, blending Tamil and English in a contemporary design," says Bhutra, who adds that as a child, he saw Jamakalam weavers at work and was fascinated. When he returned to the craft as an adult, he realised that despite years of tradition and a GI tag, there were no new designs or patterns. And that, he adds, was when he decided to help script Jamakalam a "contemporary identity".
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Tamil scripts become a fashion trend
Case in point: Chennai-based designer Vivek Karunakaran's latest collection Idam (Tamil for 'place'), which debuted in Feb at the FDCI India Men's Week in Jaipur, featuring the Tamil script as individual letters and complete Thirukkural couplets. Karunakaran says the collection began as a tribute to the city, but from there, the thread of the narrative evolved into a celebration of identity, 'an unapologetic expression of who we are and where we come from'. He adds that the collection is being expanded to include women's wear. 'It's declaration of pride.' In one look, Karunakaran has a verse of the Kural block-printed on a jacket paired with Korean pants. 'We've gone beyond just printing the alphabet to creating meaningful designs,' says Karunakaran, whose clothes are priced between Rs 6,000 and Rs 60,000. Designers from outside Tamil Nadu too are scripting the language into their couture. In Mumbai, actor Sonam Kapoor was recently spotted in a cream saree designed by Masaba, which had the Tamil letters, 'th', 'na' and more in black and gold. 'The Tamil script has a unique visual appeal,' says Karthiknathan S, a graphic designer who specialises in Tamil lettering. 'With almost 216 distinct characters, there is a lot of visual diversity.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bolsas nos olhos? (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista Saúde & Beleza Saiba Mais Undo He adds that when Tamil was adapted into a font, ascenders and descenders were adjusted for visual consistency. 'As a result, words and sentences form patterns with varying heights and depths. Depending on the preceding or following letter, ascenders or descenders are altered, creating intriguing patterns. It pushes the possibilities of what can be done with the Tamil letter.' This, perhaps, explains why Tamil-script clothes have been well received, even by those unfamiliar with the language, says Dubai-based designer Vino Supraja, who has incorporated it into her collection 'Purisai', named after the Purisai Nadaga Pairchi Palli, a therukoothu school founded by Kannapa Sambandhan Ayya, who was awarded the Padma Shri this year. She adds that the appeal is so universal that most of her clients for the collection are Emiratis and Singaporeans, not Tamilians. 'After our London Fashion Week show, the script became a conversation starter. It gave us a chance to discuss Tamil language, therukoothu, and Purisai's cultural richness. The Tamil script is the visual anchor,' says Supraja, who grew up in Vandavasi, 10km from Purisai, where her father served as a doctor. Supraja also wore a saree featuring the school's name in her handwriting when she received the Global Sustainable Trailblazer Award recently at the House of Commons. Mayank Bhutra, a designer from Rajasthan raised in Erode (which is why he has named his brand Erode), says using the Tamil script in his clothes is about celebrating the place where he grew up. 'We're in the process of developing our own typeface for the clothes, blending Tamil and English in a contemporary design,' says Bhutra, who adds that as a child, he saw Jamakalam weavers at work and was fascinated. When he returned to the craft as an adult, he realised that despite years of tradition and a GI tag, there were no new designs or patterns. And that, he adds, was when he decided to help script Jamakalam a 'contemporary identity.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Thirukkural can't be despiritualized by politics: Guv
Trichy: Governor R N Ravi laid foundation stones for new buildings at Prasanna Venkatachalapathy temple in Gunaseelam near Musiri on Friday. Addressing the gathering, he said Thirukkural cannot be despiritualized by political ideologies. Ravi laid the stones for the Rajagopuram and Prahara Mandapam to be built at Rs 22 crore. He also participated in the book release that followed, as chief guest. "Thirukkural written by the great saint of Sanatan Dharma, embodies Dharma Shastra and Niti Shastra. It is deeply infused with spiritual and temporal values. Thirukkural cannot be despiritualized under pressure by political ideologies," Ravi said. The governor said saints like Sri Ramanujacharya rejuvenated Sanathana Dharma through ages, eliminated social evils such as untouchability and discrimination against women, and reformed the society. He said religious institutions are sharing responsibilities in shaping a progressive and an inclusive society with civilizational values and traditional knowledge essential for the nation's comprehensive resurgence. The governor released two books, Gunaseela Mahatmiyam written by K R Pichumani Iyengar, and Valluvaththil Meignanam, written by Sennakarai M Subramanian.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Thirukkural cannot be de-spiritualised under pressure from some ideology, says Governor
Thirukkural is a spiritual text and it cannot be 'de-spiritualised' under pressure from some political ideology, Governor R.N. Ravi said on Friday. Thiruvalluvar was a great saint of Sanatana Dharma and his work Thirukkural is a unique blend of dharma sastra and neethi sastra. It has devotion, bhakti, renunciation, and compassion, Mr. Ravi said after unveiling the foundation stone for the rajagopuram and 'prahara mandapam' of Sri Prasanna Venkatachalapathy temple at Gunaseelam near Tiruchi. He released the books Gunaseelam Mahathmiyam, authored by K.R. Pichumani Iyengar, and Valluvathil Meignanam, authored by Sennakarai Subramanian. Sanatana Dharma, Mr. Ravi said, was not limited to just a small number of devotees or a geography; it integrates not only people but also animals, plants, and every element of creation. Bharat for thousands of years had been a dharma rashtra based on the essential values of Sanatana Dharma. No country in the world can come anywhere close to Bharat as it was unique. Although there could be numerous religions, there was only one dharma and that was Sanatana Dharma which included all. 'We cannot imagine Bharat without dharma. Bharat as a rashtra and dharma are inseparable and the two are integrally connected,' he said. Contending that the dharma and the country had suffered a lot during foreign invasions and rule, Mr. Ravi said both were rising again fortunately. According to him, the identity of Bharat was directly linked to her commitment to Sanatana Dharma. Divine souls appeared time and again in Bharat whenever there was perversion and distortions in society. Temples had been the centre of gravity for society. Crises in society were resolved at the temples at times of peace or distress. They had been centres of spiritual learning. 'But in the name of fraudulent secularism, our children and students have been deprived of getting to know who we are,' he said. Sri Yathiraja Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar, 41st Peetadhipathi of Yadugiri Yathiraja Mutt, was present.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Thirukkural translated into Kurukh, Gondi, Malto, and Brahui: A literary Milestone for Dravidian languages
The timeless wisdom of Thirukkural is set to break new ground. The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) has commissioned its translation into four medium and minor Dravidian languages — Kurukh, Gondi, Malto and Brahui. Dravidianism Revival Centre, a not-for-profit organisation working on promoting Thirrukural in Dravidian languages, is involved in talent identification, resource sharing and guidance. The translation of Thirukkural marks a literary milestone in these languages, rich in oral traditions but nurturing their written forms. Former IRS officer and a native Kurukh speaker Mahesh S. Meenz is translating the Tamil treatise to Kurukh. In Gondi, Varaprasad Sidam, who has been promoting the language by putting out articles in the wikimedia incubator, is up for the task. For Malto – spoken by less than two lakh people – Rev. George Edward is involved in the Thirukkural translation. For the language of Brahui of Balochistan, Professor Muhammad Afzal Brohi has translated it. He is Professor at the Department of Architecture, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan. He was formerly Director, UNESCO Mohenjo-daro Conservation Cell The Dravidian family Scientific studies, anthropologists and linguists confirm that these languages are part of the Dravidian family. Kurukh is a northern Dravidian language spoken by the Kurukh / Oraon tribe in eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Gondi belongs to the south-central branch of the Dravidian family and is spoken by Gond communities across central India. Malto, also part of the Northern Dravidian group, is spoken by the Malto (Paharia) tribes in the Rajmahal Hills and surrounding regions. Brahui, a linguistic outlier of the Dravidian family, is spoken in Pakistan's Balochistan province, as well as parts of Afghanistan and Iran—far from the traditional Dravidian heartland, yet situated at the very heart of the pre-Harappan Mehrgarh civilization (7000–5500 BC). According to Finnish Indologist Asko Parpola, this culture later migrated into the Indus Valley, eventually giving rise to the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization. All these languages lack a substantial body of written literature but the oral literature is rich with songs and poetry. 'In ancient Tamil Sangam literature, the male hero (talaivan) often shares a deep emotional bond with a male confidant, referred to as pāṅkaṉ. A similar tradition exists in Kurukh culture, where a young boy, with parental consent, may form a fraternal relationship—known as iar or sangi—with another boy from another clan, said Dr J Ravikumar Stephen G, founder, Dravidianism Revival Centre. Indian anthropologist Lalita Prasad Vidyarthi extensively studied the Malto tribe's belief systems and classified their language under the Dravidian family. In his comparative studies, Russian linguist Mikhail S Andronov placed the language among Northern Dravidian languages. There is evidence of a shared origin between Gondi and Tamil, as well as other Dravidian languages, due to their notable grammatical and syntactic similarities. 'Gondi and Tamil share thousands of cognates (words with a common ancestor) and grammatical features, making them both members of the South and Central Dravidian branch of the Dravidian language family,' said Dr. Annie Tisha Jerald, Junior Research Fellow, International School of Dravidian Linguistics, Thiruvananthapuram. Brahui, geographically isolated from the rest of the Dravidian family, shows strong connections to the Dravidian land. 'The 37 known Brahui tribes constituted a distinct polity, reminiscent of the 'Kurunila mannarkal' – the minor kings of ancient Tamilakam. These tribe rulers formed a confederation, just like the 'Nadu Vali', federation of Tamil Chera kings in early South Indian history,' Ravikumar Stephen said. A literary milestone The governments of West Bengal and Jharkhand have officially recognized Kurukh as one of the state languages. The development of exclusive scripts for Kurukh in the 1990s advanced the teaching of the language in schools and training centers across Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Meanwhile, linguists in Telangana are advocating for the inclusion of Gondi in the Eighth Schedule. Malto lacks official recognition and a standardized script, which has hindered its development in formal education systems. Unlike the 19th-century German missionaries, the present-day Christian missionaries from Tamil Nadu have established Hindi-medium schools, which, according to Bishop Dr. Ravikumar, has significantly contributed to the decline of the Malto language. Many Brahui speakers are bilingual, often using Balochi or Urdu in daily life, which has led to concerns about language preservation, despite the fact that the University of Balochistan offers degree programs in Brahui from the bachelor's to the doctoral level. At such a time, translation of classical texts like the Thirukkural serves both political and literary purposes. 'The official recognition granted by the Jharkhand government to the Tolong Siki script—developed by Dr Narayan Oraon—has elevated the status of the Kurukh language in the region. That's why the Thirukkural translation project will carve out a meaningful space for Kurukh,' said Mahesh Meenz, a former IRS officer and the translator. 'The Thirukkural's portrayal of lifestyle themes—especially those related to love and agriculture—resonates deeply with both Tamil and Kurukh-speaking communities,' Mahesh added. Gondi, the language learned even by the IAS officers to communicate with people of Adilabad in Telangana, has ample oral literature in the form of riddles, folk songs and puzzles. 'Only two out of 100 speakers of Gondi can read and write the language, in Gunjala Script. Once translated, Thirukkural will serve as a philosophical guide to us,' said Varaprasad, who has completed seventeen chapters of Gondi translation using Telugu and Gunjala script, which is the oldest script of Gondi language. The other script, Masaram, is widely popular in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The translators share their connect with Thirukkural. 'While translating the Thirukkural, I felt as though it was written on the mountains and waters of Brahui. I could imagine Thiruvalluvar speaking with the king and the people here,' said Professor Muhammad Afzal Brohi. Translation enriches a language and the absence of written literature often leads to the extinction of a language. 'Kambar's Ramayanam, a transcreation of the epic in Tamil, surpassed many original and translated versions and set a high standard for Tamil narrative poetry. Other works such as The Bible, the Mahabharata, and later, John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress', transcreated to Tamil in pure poetic format as 'Ratchanya Yathrigam' are some phenomenal works,' said Ravikumar. The challenges The translation project has encountered several challenges, most important among them being the difficulty in finding qualified translators and reviewers of the translated work. 'It took me more than three years to find translators for Malto. Through outreach via social media and word of mouth, I could achieve the feat,' said Ravikumar. Secondly, content translation was a tough task, as with the exception of the Malto translator, all of the others did not know Tamil. 'I provided them with existing translations of the Thirukkural in various languages such as English, Hindi, Bengali and Telugu,' Ravikumar said. As these languages are not exposed to scientific and philosophical genre, many words are just absent. Translators are coining new words with the help of century-old dictionaries created by GermanLutheran missionaries likeRev. Ferdinand Hahn. The translation project calls for an elaborate fact checking and review procedure. 'Thirukkural itself is imbued with secular and universal values. Unfortunately, some translators tend to introduce their own religious or cultural biases. For example, in the third couplet which describes the divine as 'the one who walked on a flower'—many translators inserted the term Kamal (lotus), which subtly implies a specific religious symbolism,' Ravikumar added. Political sensitivities can also pose challenges to translation initiatives. For instance, in the case of the Brahui translation—where the translator is a Pakistani national—clearances were required at the ministerial level. 'The Brahui translator submitted the application to the Union Minister for Education just hours before the tragic Pahalgam incident, and a response is still awaited,' said Dr Ravikumar Stephen. Despite such complexities, the CICT seems committed to making Thirukkural accessible in every Dravidian language. Director of CICT, Professor R Chandrashekharan has already published Thirukkural translations in medium and minor South Dravidian languages such as Badaga, Kodava, Koraga, and Tulu
