Thiruvalluvar Day

Thiruvalluvar day is more a celebration in Tamilnadu in India, conducted in memory of Saint Thiruvalluvar who had lived in a period between second century BC and 8th century AD and created Tamil text depicting the Vedic scriptures in his own style of 7 word couplets through 3330 of such couplets.

Thiruvalluvar had brought in all the concepts of Dharma, Artha, Kama parts of the Vedic scriptures, leaving out the fourth phenomenon of Mokhsha. People have different concepts as to why he had left Mokhsha, while some feel that concepts of Moksha are brought in already in his three sections named Aram, Porul and Inbam, few others claim that he did not believe in Moksha concept and so he did not deal with them.

There has not been any ritualistic foundation for celebrating the Thiruvalluvar day. It was by the initiative of the government of Tamil Nadu who assigned the fourth day of Pongal Celebrations, which was named Kaanum Pongal to celebrate as Thiruvalluvar day. This being a honor extended to the man of literature, people of Tamilnadu enjoy this day which is included in the series of Pongal day celebrations, first day to the season, second day to the local society, the third day to the cattles and the fourth day, which is already meant for birds and siblings, also assigned for learning and wisdom.

History

The foundation for celebrating Thiruvalluvar day emanates from the Contributions Thiruvalluvar had made in the form of Thirukkural, which is an embodiment of knowledge, which is termed ‘Vedha’ in Sanskrit and ‘marai’ in Tamil. If Rig Vedha said ‘ Sathyam Vatha,  Dharmam Charah’ meaning speak the truth and walk the ritual path, Thiruvalluvar stated it in a few chapters of 10 verses for ‘truth’ referred as ‘Vaimai’ in Tamil, a number of chapters are speaking about different aspects of ‘Dharma’ under the term ‘aram’.
Thirukkural is of predominance among ancient  Tamil works that emanated during ‘Sangam’ period which dates back before 8th century AD and It is considered a 'common creed', serving as a guide for human morals and for better way of living. The Tamil work Thirukkural has been made into translated version in several other languages, which include Latin by ConstanzoBeschi in 1730, which made the work popular European intellectuals.

Thiruvalluvar Day Celebrations

This day being the fourth day of the Pongal festival in Tamilnadu primarily, people take time to see other members of the family to greet them, offering presents and enjoying time together. All members pay respect to the elders in the traditional manner, in some communities, falling flat on the ground with all the eight limbs touching the ground, and the elders give their blessings both in words also with gifts in kind, mostly in the form of money.

Another observation on this day is to leave food out on turmeric plant or banana leaves for birds to eat, mostly by the women folks of the house. The items of food placed so will be of different colors, presumably to attract birds. This ritual is also believed to enhance the welfare of the male members of the home.

Thiruvalluvar day, which is falling on this day, is celebrated in the form of garlanding Thiruvalluvar Statue and also conducting literary discourses which most of the people attend. Celebrated scholars participate and address these meetings in every city of Tamilnadu.

A memorial for Thiruvalluvar called ValluvarKottam was established in Chennai in 1976 constructed in line with the style that Dravidian temples follow, besides an auditorium for literary activities, which can host 4000 people at a time.

Likewise, a 133-foot tall statue of Thiruvalluvar has been erected at Kanyakumari at the southern tip of Tamilnadu in memory of this great saint. Thiruvalluvar having become popular worldwide, there is a statue for Thiruvalluvar kept outside the School of Oriental and African Studies in London’s Russell Square.

On Thiruvalluvar day, people make it point to visit these places to pay homage to the famous Saint Thiruvalluvar.

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