Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian-language edition of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
The gift carried a deeper cultural significance, given the long-standing interest in Indian philosophy and literature among Russian writers and intellectuals.
Published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil in 2026, the edition brings together the original Tamil couplets, their transliteration and a Russian translation by Naira Mkrtchyan.
While presenting the book, Modi highlighted the enduring relevance of Thiruvalluvar’s teachings and expressed hope that its message would reach and inspire readers in Russia.
The Fascinating Russian Connection
The connection between Russian intellectual thought and Indian philosophy dates back several centuries. Interest in Indian literature grew among Russian scholars through translations and works that introduced European audiences to India’s philosophical traditions.
The Thirukkural eventually became part of this wider exchange.
Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy is believed to have encountered ideas from the Thirukkural through an early translation. The Tamil classic’s emphasis on compassion, ethical conduct and non-violence resonated with themes that appeared prominently in Tolstoy’s later philosophical writings.
There have also been accounts connecting Tolstoy’s interest in Indian philosophy with his correspondence with Mahatma Gandhi. Some narratives suggest that Tolstoy recommended the Thirukkural to Gandhi and that its teachings influenced Gandhi’s thinking on non-violence.
However, historians have not conclusively established the precise extent of the text’s influence on Gandhi through Tolstoy. The connection remains an intriguing part of the broader intellectual exchange between India and Russia.
By choosing a Russian edition of the Thirukkural as a diplomatic gift, Modi brought this lesser-known literary connection into the contemporary India-Russia relationship.
What Makes Thirukkural So Significant?
Composed by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural consists of 1,330 couplets arranged across 133 chapters.
The work is traditionally divided into three major sections:
- Aram: The first 38 chapters explore virtue, morality, duty and righteous living.
- Porul: Chapters 39 to 108 focus on society, leadership, politics, economics, governance and public life.
- Inbam: The final 25 chapters deal with love, affection and human relationships.
Together, these sections cover many dimensions of human life, from personal ethics and family values to governance and social responsibility.
The three-part structure is also broadly comparable to the classical Indian concepts of dharma, artha and kama, although Thirukkural does not include moksha as a separate fourth category.
Believed to have been composed sometime between 300 BCE and 500 CE, the work is regarded as one of the great achievements of classical Tamil literature.
Its universal themes have allowed it to cross linguistic and cultural boundaries, with translations available in numerous languages, including Russian.
Modi’s Use of Thirukkural as Cultural Diplomacy
Modi has repeatedly used the Thirukkural to highlight India’s cultural heritage and its universal messages of ethics, compassion and good governance.
Over the years, he has quoted Thiruvalluvar’s couplets in speeches and promoted translations of the work in different countries.
During his visit to Tashkent in August 2026, Modi proposed translating the Thirukkural into Uzbek, describing the text as a source of practical and universal wisdom that could reach audiences across Central Asia.
In May 2023, Modi and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape launched a Tok Pisin translation of the classic during the FIPIC Summit. Earlier, a Thai translation was unveiled during the “Sawasdee PM Modi” event in Bangkok in 2019, while Japanese editions were also presented to Japan’s then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Thirukkural in Modi’s Speeches
Modi has also frequently invoked Thiruvalluvar’s words on important domestic issues.
During his visit to Leh amid the 2020 border tensions with China, he quoted a couplet highlighting valour, honour, dignified conduct and trustworthiness as qualities associated with a strong military.
In his 2019 Independence Day address, Modi cited Thiruvalluvar’s famous line, “Neer indri amayadhu ulagu” — meaning the world cannot exist without water — while speaking about the importance of water conservation and announcing the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The latest gift to Putin therefore carries more than literary value. It also reflects Modi’s broader effort to use India’s classical traditions as a bridge between cultures and as part of the country’s modern diplomatic engagement.