Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

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Thirukkural 1330 with Lydian Nadhaswaram and Amirthavarshini

One of the qualities of the Kural that I am always keen to point out is how playful and musical its language truly is.

Indeed, that’s why I sang a verse at the Chennai International Book Fair as a way of demonstrating my belief that a translation of the Kural should also be singable.

And that’s also why I’m humbled and honored and delighted to be part of a forthcoming and epic musical project being carried out by Lydian Nadhaswaram and his older sister Amirthavarshini.

Here is a trailer (with English subtitles) for this extraordinary project, which aims to set all 1330 verses of the Kural to music. If you’ve ever heard me speak (or sing) you might recognize the last voice in the video . . .

I had the enormous privilege of meeting Amirthavarshini, Lydian, and their family when I was in Chennai.

As you can imagine, I can hardly wait for the release of the project as a whole.

The Kural and Martin Luther King

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.

REGISTER FOR FACING TUMULT WITH INTEGRITY

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

2025 Ancient Tamil Literature Promotion Award

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.

WHO BEARS THE WEIGHT: The Kural and Reading the News

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:

1027
Like the strong-hearted in battle—those able in family
Bear the weight

அமரகத்து வன்கண்ணர் போலத் தமரகத்தும்
ஆற்றுவார் மேற்றே பொறை

From chapter 103, “Serving Family.”

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

TALLER THAN A MOUNTAIN | A 7-week course on the Kural | Available through July 31  LEARN MORE
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