THIRUVALLUVUR
1. Context
Recently, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi's saffron-clad portrait of Thiruvalluvar on Thiruvalluvar Day (January 16) ignited a political firestorm. DMK, the ruling party, accused the governor's office of "saffronisation" and criticized the religious symbols depicted, claiming Thiruvalluvar transcends religion. Chief Minister MK Stalin countered with a picture of Thiruvalluvar in white robes, further highlighting the contrasting interpretations. This incident isn't new, as political figures in Tamil Nadu have long debated the representation of the revered poet, often dividing along party lines.
2. Who was Thiruvallavur?
The significance of the color of Thiruvalluvar's robes
- The significance of the color of Thiruvalluvar's robes has been subject to political interpretation over time, even though historical information on the matter is scarce.
- According to S Swaminathan, a retired IIT professor specializing in ancient Tamil history, scholars have suggested that Thiruvalluvar was likely a Jain, not a Hindu or a Dravidian, based on available evidence about his life.
- The iconic image of Thiruvalluvar in white robes is a relatively recent creation, and there is uncertainty about whether the ancient saint was a singular individual or a composite figure developed over the years.
3. The recent controversy over Thiruvalluvar's
- The recent excavations at Keeladi near Madurai, revealing evidence that extends the history of the Sangam Era or Tamilagam from 300 BC to 600 BC, have become a focal point in the ongoing debate on Tamil history.
- This discovery has provided Dravidian historians and politicians with additional ammunition to assert the antiquity of their cultural heritage.
- The controversy surrounding the perceived saffronization of Thiruvalluvar unfolds within this historical context.
- The Keeladi findings sparked intense debates on social media between Hindutva supporters and those aligning with the Dravidian perspective.
- Despite the absence of Hindu idols or goddesses in the Keeladi samples, which bolstered the Dravidian narrative, Hindutva proponents on social media persisted in claiming evidence of Hindu religion in Keeladi.
Other instances
Instances of controversies surrounding the depiction of Thiruvalluvar's attire have sparked debates in Tamil Nadu on multiple occasions:
- A book festival in Coimbatore in July 2022 distributed copies of the classic Thirukkural featuring an image of Thiruvalluvar adorned in saffron attire.
- Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore faced controversy when a portrait of Thiruvalluvar wearing saffron robes was placed in its library. Subsequently, the portrait was replaced with Thiruvalluvar depicted in white attire.
- In 2019, the BJP state unit in Tamil Nadu posted a picture on Twitter portraying Thiruvalluvar in saffron robes, leading to protests from Dravidian and Left parties.
- In 2017, a similar controversy arose when the BJP referred to the 19th-century social reformer Sree Narayana Guru as a Hindu saint. Sree Narayana Guru, credited with shaping Kerala's social and secular fabric, advocated against casteism and promoted spiritual freedom.
4. The Way Forward
The appropriation of Thiruvalluvar, a figure revered across religions, reflects the deeper tensions surrounding Tamil identity and historical interpretations. These controversies highlight the need to appreciate his timeless teachings and universal values rather than using him for political gains.
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For Prelims: Thiruvalluvar, Tirukkural, Dravidian ideologies, Hindutva ideologies
For Mains:
1. Briefly explain the significance of Thiruvalluvar and the "Tirukkural" in Tamil culture. (250 Words)
2. How do historical narratives and interpretations of figures like Thiruvalluvar contribute to the construction of Tamil identity and the dynamics between Dravidian and Hindutva ideologies? (250 Words)
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Source: The Indian Express
