HOW DOES THIRUKKURAL ENGLISH COUPLET DEAL WITH CERTAIN KURALS IN TRANSLATION ?
Normally youngsters are taught Two Sections of Kurals called "Virtue" & "Wealth" leaving the 3rd Section called "Love" with two more Kurals in the former two Sections.The unique feature of this University is not only recognizing the teaching of Thirukkural through Thirukkural English Couplet, which is a translation in 4+3 Word format as is in Thirukkural (Tamil) but also interpreting Kurals in the spirit of Thiruvalluvar himself. That is why this translation is capable of teaching all Kurals in the said two parts even to children without any hesitation. Let us see the Tamil version ,English as well:
இனம்போன்று இனமல்லார் கேண்மை மகளிர்
மனம்போல வேறு படும்.
Unworthy false friendship resembles
One sided love Kural 822 (Dr.Louie's Translation)
கல்லாதான் சொற்கா முறுதல் முலையிரண்டும்
இல்லாதாள் பெண்காமுற் றற்று.
The uneducated preaching resembles
A statue lusting Kural 402 (Dr.Louie's Translation)
All Kurals have been translated using Kural Venba grammar & Definition of a Couplet defined in English. Kindly watch my Introductory video for more explanation on how Kurals have been translated. By dint of sheer hard work for 12 years, this translation has come out called Thirukkural English Couplet (ISBN: 9789388139601).
Now it is sent to the UNESCO for its approval/ recognition. The Canadian Prime Minister's Office wished us for and congratulated on such an achievement. Indian Government has recommended the Tamil Nadu Government for its inclusion in school & college syllabus. A Mauritius minister took advice of Kurals for his personal & public life on listening to a speech by Dr Stephen Louie vide: Click Links
Dr.K.S.Antonysamy, HoD, Loyola College, Chennai
Review on Thirukural Translation-
Dr K.S.Antonysamy,Head, Department of English, Loyola College
Sujatha, the great luminary of 20th Century Tamil Literature stated that there is a yawning gulf between the classics in Tamil and their cognition among the contemporary Tamil youth. In order to make them understand, he made an attempt to paraphrase Aathichoodi and Thirukural into layman’s language. Similarly, Dr Louie, the translator of 4 + 3 word couplet Thirukural has not only abided by the forms of a couplet but also transformed into a lucid, terse and laconic content well suited to both the cognoscenti and mediocre readers with his multifaceted forte and profound erudition. A sample study of his efforts would throw light on his anchorage and supremacy over both the source language and target language:
“Kingdom perishes if eight
Virtues are unheeded” (Chapter 55, Couplet 8 on Upright Governance)
The youth of the generation would easily gat at the content of this kural as if it has been done in communicative translation I appreciate Dr. Loiue for the immense efforts he has put in to make this intellectual sage with a great amount of passion
AVVAI NATARAJAN Former Vice Chancellor
Dr.R.J.A. Stephen Loie in venturing the task in a unique way with his inimitable style by comprising the whole gamut of Thirukkural as concise and precise in 4+3 word couplet is a remarkable achievement, and I have my own fear in telling, a great task has been well revealed in power of knowledge in comprehension of Thirukkural...”From Prelude…
Rev.Fr.Dr.Leonard Fernando, Rector-St.Joseph's college, Trichy
" No one has so far attempted to present the translation of Thirukkural in English language in the way Dr. Loie has done. It is a historic achievement. Dr. Loie has already left his indelible mark in many fields as his life story and list of achievements testify..." From his Foreword...
Hon’ble Minister Mahen Kumar Seereuton, Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security, 8th Floor, Renganaden Seeneevassen Building,Port Louis, Mauritius Tel: 212 01 53 Fax: 213 00 29 writes..."Dear Mr Louie, Very pleased to hear from you. Indeed it was a pleasure to meet with you and share the ‘Thirukkural’ – a great and inspirational book that allow us to be a better person if we put the words into practice. Regards, M.K. S"
