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Modi presents Russian translation of Thiruvalluvar's works to Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a translated edition of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil literary masterpiece by ancient poet Thiruvalluvar. The gesture underscores India's cultural diplomacy and the philosophical commonalities between the two nations.

LSN India · 11 September 2026

Modi presents Russian translation of Thiruvalluvar's works to Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian-language translation of the Thirukkural, one of India's most revered classical texts, during diplomatic engagement between the two countries. The 2,000-year-old Tamil poem collection by the sage Thiruvalluvar comprises 1,330 couplets organised into three sections addressing virtue, wealth, and love.

The Thirukkural stands as a cornerstone of Tamil literature and Indian philosophical thought, transcending regional and temporal boundaries through its universal moral and ethical teachings. By offering a Russian translation to Putin, Modi sought to bridge cultural understanding between India and Russia while highlighting the enduring relevance of ancient Tamil wisdom.

The gesture reflects India's approach to cultural diplomacy, using literature and classical works as instruments of soft power and cross-cultural dialogue. The presentation underscores the depth of Indo-Russian relations, which extend beyond political and economic spheres to encompass intellectual and civilisational exchanges.

Thiruvalluvar's works have been translated into numerous languages globally, making the text accessible to international audiences. The Russian translation represents another milestone in the work's global dissemination, introducing Russian-speaking readers to the profound philosophical insights embedded within Tamil literary tradition.