HC refuses to declare Thiruvalluvar’s birthday, says no concrete proof


Pointing out there was no clinching material to show the exact birth day of Tamil saint-poet Tiruvalluvar, the Madras High Court dismissed a petition that sought to declare as null and void, the Tamil Nadu government celebrating the bard’s birthday on the second day of Tamil month Thai.
Justice M Dhandapani dismissed the petition filed by Prof Dr Samy Thiyagarajan, President, Tiruvalluvar Thirunat Khazhagam, which also sought to affirm the Vaikasi (May) month Anusham Natchatram (star) as the saint-poet’s birthday.
The judge said the great saint Tiruvalluvar who led a life as codified through his well acclaimed couplets comprised in the compilation ‘Tirukkural’.
The great work Tirukkural also stands testimony of the great culture of Tamils and also the greatness of the language, which also needs no additional words to be spoken of its rich linguistic and cultural value.
The judge said throughout the petition, there was not a single averment or any material evidencing the birth day of Tiruvalluvar.
The only glimpse with regard to the birth day, even according to the petitioner, was premised on the formation of Thiruvalluvar Thirunal Kazhagam in the year 1935, which celebrated the poet’s birthday on Anusham star in the Tamil month Vaikasi.
Further, the said occasion was graced by Maraimalai Adigal, the great Tamil scholar, the judge added. The judge said from the materials, it was evident there was no clinching material to show the exact birth day of Tiruvalluvar.