Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

The Kural and Martin Luther King

March 28, 2025

Last month I had the honor of speaking alongside Dr. Aaron Bryant, museum curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, at the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai.

In his talk, Dr. Bryant pointed out that Gandhi helped shape Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of nonviolence. After my own talk, during the Q&A that followed with both of us, I realized a connection I hadn’t seen before.

Since the Kural is one of the key works that nourished Gandhi’s thinking, there is thus a hidden thread between the Kural, Martin Luther King, Jr., and ways of resisting violence and oppression peacefully and powerfully.

You can read more about the talk in this article from the Times of India:

You can also watch the TN Talk with Dr. Aaron Bryant and myself on the Anna Centenary Library YouTube Channel:

Dr. Bryant’s talk begins at 6:32
My talk begins at 26:50
The joint Q&A begins at 48:28

Facing Tumult with Integrity:

The Kural, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. on Nonviolent Action

As the free introductory class for my upcoming online class on the Kural, Taller Than A Mountain, I plan to explore the connection between Thiruvalluvar, Gandhi, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and show how these three visionaries can inspire clarity and courageous action in our own time and place.

Please do join me if you’re interested!

Here’s what I hope you’ll gain from this class:

A wider perspective on the practice of nonviolence that can steady and nourish our hearts and minds in times of change.
A friend and companion in the form of the poet Tiruvalluvar, whose work speaks to the present, offers new ways of seeing old problems, and cultivates practical wisdom in the nitty gritty of daily life.
An understanding of how ideals and practices travel across the borders of language, culture, religion, and community to nourish and support efforts to live together in harmony.

This live class will be recorded, so even if you can’t attend live, you’ll be able to access the recording.

May we all find ways to dream and act with integrity and grace, even in trying times.

A Joyful Book

March 14, 2025

Following the 2025 Chennai International Book Fair, The Times of India, which I was surprised to learn is the largest-selling English language newspaper in the world, invited me in for an interview.

I expected to speak with one or two reporters and answer the usual sorts of questions I tend to get asked. Instead, I had the honor of speaking to representatives from every division of the paper and answering some of the most thoughtful questions I’ve been asked to date.

You can read the article that appeared in the print edition here:

All of this was followed by an extended bilingual video interview, which I’m delighted to share here. They’ve added English subtitles for the Tamil sections of the interview:

My gratitude to the entire staff of the Times of India Chennai office for their hospitality, preparation, and insightful questions.

2025 Ancient Tamil Literature Promotion Award

March 5, 2025

I was deeply honored and humbled to receive the 2025 Ancient Tamil Literature Promotion Award from the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. M. K. Stalin at the Chennai International Book Fair earlier this year.

The award citation reads, “In recognition of exceptional dedication to translating the classical Tamil text, “Tirukkural,” into English, thereby fostering global appreciation of ancient Tamil literary heritage. Your meticulous translation bridges cultural and linguistic divides, preserving and promoting the philosophical and poetic essence of the Tirukkural for future generations and contributing to cross-cultural understanding.”

At the awards ceremony, I made a short speech that has been making the rounds on social media. It’s primarily in Tamil, but includes enough English to make sense of the verse from the Kural that I sing in both languages toward the end.

If you’re curious, you can take a peek here:

My enduring gratitude to Tamil Professor Dr. K. V. Ramakoti and all of the friends and adoptive family who have been and continue to be my teachers, in language and in life.

Valluvan Tamil Academy, Virginia

August 10, 2024

It was a wonderful pleasure to speak and perform at the Valluvan Tamil Academy Annual Day celebration in Virginia in June.

Here are a few pictures from the trip, including a visit to Valluvar Way. Click on the images to see them at full size.

A Greeting for the Thirukkural Symposium in Washington DC

May 28, 2024

I’m thrilled to be participating in the upcoming Thirukkural Symposium organized by the Washington Tamil Sangam and Noolnayam (Thirukkural book study group). Here is a greeting in Tamil for the event.

A Greeting for the Valluvan Tamil Academy 14th Annual Day Celebration

May 27, 2024

I’m delighted to be speaking at the Annual Day Celebration for the Valluvan Tamil Academy in Virginia this year. Here is a greeting in Tamil for the event.

WHO BEARS THE WEIGHT: The Kural and Reading the News

April 17, 2024

I was delighted to write about verse 1027 from the Kural in the wonderful online magazine The Porch: A Slow Conversation about Beautiful and Difficult Things.

You can read the essay here:

https://www.theporchcommunity.net/recent/2024/4/17/who-bears-the-weight-thomas-hitoshi-pruiksma

You can also listen to verse 108 here:

From chapter 103, “Serving Family.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston

Kural 475 on Discernment: An Excerpt from “Taller Than a Mountain”

April 11, 2024

Here is an excerpt from my course on the Kural, Taller Than a Mountain. It explores verse 475 on discernment, presence of mind, and how much is too much.

I’m excited to announce that Taller Than A Mountain 2024 starts April 27, with a free intro class on April 13.

The course is being offered at a price that you set yourself as a way to practice one of the Kural’s key teachings: honoring what fits each person, place, and situation.