Bharatidasan's dream about the future of Tamil language, literature and Culture is coming true. His life-long desire that Tamil literature should be made known through translations into numerous world languages is being fulfilled.
Where is the day when the honey river will pour into my ear incessantly the news of this worlds' wish to see mother Tamil, my Tamils' poems in a thousand tongues?
Central Institute of Classical Tamil has undertaken the onerous task of getting forty-one ancient Tamil Classics translated into English and other western and Indian languages as these immortal works reflect the sweetness of Tamil, its strength, its uniqueness, its heritage, its richness and its grandeur.
Now we are proud to launch Telugu translation Post Cankam Literature of Nalatiyar is one of Patinenkilkkanakku. Of the Didactic works in Tamil, Nalatiyar is next only in greatness to Tirukkural and serving as mutual commentaries, they may be read as companion pieces, as indispensable works on the art of living. In the scholarly introduction to his English translation of Nalatiyar, Rev. G.U.Pope observes that Tirukkural and Nalatiyar are expressive of a hunger and thirst after righteousness for which the ancient Tamil society deserves the highest praise.
The literary prowess of Tamil language is largely attributed to great works of literature, amongst which Tirukkural and Nalatiyar hold distinct positions. Nalatiyar is a collation of four lined poems, attributing to practising righteousness, ethical values and charity in one's life. A key insight into how ancient Tamils upheld virtuousness and integrity above all. This diverse collection of poems, sung by Jain monks depicts the ethical and moral the guidelines by which life has to be lived in a society.
It has been said that many years ago, some Jain monks affected by famine, left their drought-stricken place and eventually came to Madurai, where they got refuge from a Pandyan King, Ukkira Peruvazhudhi. For many years, they adorned his palace with their dexterity in Tamil language. Eventually, their hometown was no longer suffering from famine and they wished to return to their homes. However, the great Pandyan King was hesitant to send them out as he had come to enjoy their wisdom and knowledge. The 8000 Jain ascetics, unbeknownst to anyone, left the palace and city after knowing of the King's unwillingness to let them leave. The King was very upset and in his search for the ascetics, it was discovered that each of them had left a quatrain verse in their seats in the palace.
Each of those quatrains collected from the seats of these Jain monks, were pearls of wisdom, out of which, around 400 were preserved for posterity and together came to be known as Nalatiyar. Padumanar, the information about whom have been lost in time was the one who collected and put together these 400 verses, while nobles like Tharumar and Madhivarar wrote foreword to this great book. Espoused to virtuousness and ethical life Nalatiyar is a consolidated work of poetry.
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