No clinching material to show the exact birthday of Tiruvalluvar: HC

Chennai, Sep 18 (PTI) Pointing out there was no clinching material to show the exact birth day of Tamil saint-poet Tiruvalluvar, the Madras High Court on Wednesday 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 (January).

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.

Humanity has been endowed with the said couplets to be practiced by each one, which was a bliss to attain enlightenment, the judge added.

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.

In the absence of any concrete proof, the Court cannot give any affirmative direction to the authorities to fix the birth day as claimed by the petitioner, the judge added.

The court pointed out that the second day of the Tamil month of Thai, which has been earmarked as Tiruvalluvar day by the authorities, nowhere spells out that it was the birthday of the great saint.

Only to celebrate the greatness of Tirukkural, which was a cherished testament by all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion, the authorities have earmarked the second day of the Tamil month of Thai to be celebrated as a mark of respect for the great saint and Tamil poet.

There was no mention in the GO that it was the birth day of Tiruvalluvar and only to celebrate the same, the second day of the Tamil month of Thai was earmarked.