Thiruvalluvar emerges from the mists of ancient Tamil Nadu as a poet-saint whose single work, the Tirukkural, has outlived dynasties and empires. Precise dates slip through history’s fingers; scholars place him anywhere between the 2nd century BCE and the 5th century CE. His homeland is usually identified as the Pandya kingdom around Madurai, a bustling hub of Sangam-era art and literature.

Legends paint Thiruvalluvar as a humble weaver, or as born in a pot—“kalli” in Tamil—earning him the affectionate title “Kalladar,” the pot-son. Other traditions suggest Jain influences in his ethical outlook, although the Tirukkural weaves together strands of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain thought into a tapestry of universal moral guidance. Details of family, education or personal exploits remain largely a drop in the ocean of myth and lore.

The Tirukkural’s structure—133 chapters of ten couplets each—reads like a blueprint for righteous living, covering virtue (aram), wealth (porul) and love (inbam). Its timeless advice has been etched in stone across Dravidian temples and modern urban walls alike. In January 2025, communities from Coimbatore to Chennai marked Thiruvalluvar Jayanti with marathon readings, testament to his enduring appeal.

Recently, an international workshop under UNESCO’s patronage spotlighted the Tirukkural’s relevance to global sustainability goals. Meanwhile, tech giants have begun fine-tuning AI translations of select couplets, aiming to blaze a trail for cross-cultural dialogue. Even on social media—where trends rise and fall in the blink of an eye—each kural (couplet) sparks fresh discussions on ethics, governance and interpersonal harmony.

Far from being a relic, Thiruvalluvar’s voice continues to resonate with startling clarity. His life may remain largely a blank canvas, but the strokes of his wisdom have colored centuries of Tamil life—and beyond—with insight that feels as fresh today as it must have when first committed to palm leaf.