A verse on what makes a home flourish.
From chapter 5, “The Home Life.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
author, poet, teacher, and performer
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A verse on what makes a home flourish.
45
If a life at home has love and virtue—that
Is its root and flower
அன்பும் அறனும் உடைத்தாயின் இல்வாழ்க்கை
பண்பும் பயனும் அது
From chapter 5, “The Home Life.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse that shows the great practicality of the poet Tiruvalluvar.
655
Do nothing to regret—but if you do
Do not regret it
எற்றென் றிரங்குவ செய்யற்க செய்வானேல்
மற்றன்ன செய்யாமை நன்று
From chapter 66, “Purity of Action.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
A verse on love, life, and new growth.
78
Like a withered tree in the desert sprouting leaves—living
With no love in one’s heart
அன்பகத் தில்லா உயிர்வாழ்க்கை வன்பாற்கண்
வற்றல் மரந்தளிர்த் தற்று
From chapter 8, “Having Love.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston
On December 11, 2021, THE KURAL was featured in the Bushwick Bookclub Seattle‘s inaugural InkAloud event at Town Hall Seattle. Three marvelous musical groups created original compositions inspired by the translation.
Here is a direct link to my introduction to this portion of the evening:
The first group was Latha Sambamurti and students from The Temple of Music, performing original compositions by Lalitha Mohan & Violin Maestro Ganesh Rajagopalan. You can watch their delightful and inspiring performances here:
The second musician was Eric Lane Barnes, who composed three interlocking songs based on three verses from THE KURAL.
Here he teaches them to the live audience:
The third group was Nottingham/Wicks, a jazz duo who shared their own beautiful take on the spirit of THE KURAL:
My deep gratitude and appreciation to everyone involved!
A verse on what makes a person beautiful.
95
Humility and sweet speech adorn one in beauty—
All else does not
பணிவுடையன் இன்சொலன் ஆதல் ஒருவற்
கணியல்ல மற்றுப் பிற
From chapter 10, “Sweet Speech.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston