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Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma

author, poet, teacher, and performer

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    • THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
    • The Safety of Edges
    • Give, Eat, and Live: Poems of Avvaiyar
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    • A Feast for the Tongue
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“To Behold a Good Person” from Avvaiyar’s Moothurai | நல்லாரைக் காண்பதுவும் நன்றே

May 29, 2021

A poem about staying close to goodness, from the 12th century Tamil woman, poet, and saint Avvaiyar.

To behold a good person is good. To hear
His words full of goodness is good.
                                                           To speak
Of a good person’s character is good. Good
To find a place in his company.

Moothurai 8, “Nallarai kanbathum nandre.”

Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
GIVE, EAT, AND LIFE: POEMS OF AVVAIYAR
Red Hen Press, Los Angeles

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