By One's Own Hand: A Kural Conversation with C.F. John

Farming and the Interconnectedness of Life

With my friend C.F. John I was delighted to explore abundance, interconnectedness, and the ways we look at farming and farming communities in the light of THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural.

Here are a few highlights and where in the video you can find them:

On the different meanings of the word “farmer.” 3:36
How farmers stand between the wilderness, on the one side, and urban civilization, on the other. 9:25
Farming and interconnectedness: 28:31
Who is subsidizing whom? 35:32
Generosity and healthy restraint: 48:09
A question from John: What kind of rewiring had to happen in your head to be able to translate this work? 61:28

C.F. John is an established senior artist and social activist based in Bangalore. After completing his studies in Philosophy, he had his initiation in art under Jyothi Sahi in Silvepura, Karnataka. Through his art, C.F. John attempts to negotiate with the tensions of modern-day living. Finding peace amidst nature, he is inspired by people who are close to it. C.F. John’s works are sombre and reflective, emanating a thought-provoking yet soothing presence. His individualistic approach to art gives it a certain freshness. John uses muted colour palettes, gentle textures, elegant compositions and occasional bursts of colour to portray subjects in a meditative state, while celebrating the uniqueness of the materials he uses to paint. As a social activist, C.F. John has lived with indigenous tribes, and his socio-cultural experiences have shaped his artistic process.

https://cfjohn.com/

Here are the verses we talked about, in both English and Tamil:

1035
He that eats by his own hand does not beg
And gives freely to beggars

இரவார் இரப்பார்க்கொன் றீவர் கரவாது
கைசெய்தூண் மாலை யவர்

1032
Farmers sustain everyone not farming—they
Are the pin holding the world together

உழுவார் உலகத்தார்க் காணிஅஃ தாற்றா
தெழுவாரை எல்லாம் பொறுத்து

1039
If its husbandman stays away the land pulls back
And sulks like a wife

செல்லான் கிழவன் இருப்பின் நிலம்புலந்த
தில்லாளின் ஊடி விடும்

From chapter 104, “Farming.”

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