Thiruvalluvar
Context:
- Recently the posts related to Thiruvalluvar which are shared by Governor and CM sparked the issue in Tamilnadu.
- While celebrating Thiruvalluvar Day on Tuesday (January 16),Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi shared an image of the philosopher-poet in saffron-coloured clothes.
- He also described him as “the revered poet, great philosopher and brightest saint of Bharatiya Sanatan tradition”.
- The post by the Governor sparked off a row as the ruling DMK alleged attempts at saffronisation by the governor’s office.
- Governor’s post of Thiruvalluvar showed Thiruvalluvar’s forehead and upper arm as smeared with ash and prayer beads around his neck.
- Meanwhile, another post from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin depicted the same poet in white robes.
About Thiruvalluvar:
- Thiruvalluvar who is commonly known as Valluvar, was an Indian poet and philosopher.
- He is also best known as the author of the Tirukkuṟaḷ which is a collection of couplets on ethics, political and economic matters, and love.
- The text is considered as an exceptional and widely cherished work of Tamil literature.
- However it is important to note that the exact date of Valluvar is unclear.
- His famous work Tirukkuṟaḷ has been dated variously from 300 BCE to about the sixth century CE.
- Various claims have been made regarding Valluvar’s family background and occupation in the colonial era literature.
- He is believed to have lived in Madurai and later in the town of Mayilapuram or Thirumayilai (present-day Mylapore in Chennai).
- There are also accounts which say he was born in Mayilapuram and later moved to Madurai in order to publish his work at the royal court.
- Valluvar is generally thought to have belonged to either Jainism or Hinduism religion but some Christians also claim that he belonged to Christianity.
