Tirukkural in English

TIRUKKURAL (With the English translation of M. S. Purnalingam Pillai): E. Sundara Moorthy - Editor; International Institute of Tamil Studies, C.I.T. Campus, Taramani, Chennai-600113. Rs. 100.

TIRUKKURAL IS the only Tamil classic which has been widely translated into many of the Western and Eastern languages. In English the translation of Dr. G. U. Pope is generally considered to be the best. It is essential to note that many Tamil savants and scholars like V.V.S. Aiyar, A. Ranganatha Mudaliar, Suddhananda Bharatiar, Rajaji and V.R.R. Dikshitar, to name a few, have rendered it into lucid English.

However, the translation of M. S. Purnalingam Pillai, formerly the English Professor of Bishop Heber College at Tiruchi, being unique in its own way, was first published in 1942 with the financial assistance of G.D. Naidu, the famous scientist of Coimbatore. The book under review is a reprint.

The translator, with his sound knowledge in the source and target languages, has attempted to present the substance of the couplets in well-chosen words.

He follows the commentary of Parimelazhagar, though in significant contexts, he has projected his own interpretations succinctly and vividly.

In this edition, the original text of the chapters is given on the one side, while its translation is provided on the opposite page. One of the special features of this translation is the elucidation of the couplets with apt quotations, wherever possible, given at the end of chapters by way of footnotes. Parallels from Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Goldsmith and others are sufficiently found. For instance, while commenting on ``Patient endurance'' (Poraiudaimai), the translator has quoted ``the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance'' from Shakespeare.

One could cite proverbs to appreciate Tiruvalluvar's thoughts. The book is a valuable addition to the existing ethical lore.

S. N. KANDASWAMY

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Features
Previous : From revolt to power
Next     : The tectonic scene