Tamil Nadu to Unveil Thiruvalluvar Statue at JNU
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Synopsis
The Tamil Nadu government is set to install a statue of the revered poet Thiruvalluvar at JNU in Delhi. The initiative aims to promote his timeless literary values among students and scholars, with a budget of Rs 50 lakh.
Key Takeaways
- Thiruvalluvar's statue to be installed at JNU.
- Estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh.
- Located near the International Auditorium.
- Promotes the values of the Thirukkural.
- Serves as a symbol of Tamil heritage.
Chennai, April 16 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Minister for Tamil Development, Information and Publicity, M.P. Saminathan, has revealed plans for a statue honoring the esteemed Tamil poet, philosopher, and saint Thiruvalluvar to be erected at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 50 lakh.
The statue is set to be placed close to the International Auditorium on the JNU grounds, aiming to spread the enduring principles found in Thiruvalluvar’s literary work, the Thirukkural, among students and scholars nationwide.
This announcement follows a previous assurance by JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, made during a ceremony honoring Tamil poet Subramania Bharathi, regarding the establishment of a Thiruvalluvar statue on campus.
Thiruvalluvar is credited with authoring the Thirukkural, an ancient Tamil scripture that consists of 1,330 couplets addressing the moral, economic, and emotional aspects of life, categorized into three primary sections: Aram (Virtue), Porul (Wealth), and Inbam (Love).
It is noteworthy that a towering 41-metre (135 ft) stone statue of Thiruvalluvar already exists on a small island near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Crafted by renowned architect V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also designed the Iraivan Temple in Hawaii, the statue was inaugurated on January 1, 2000, by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to celebrate the new millennium. On January 1, 2025, during the silver jubilee celebrations, the Tamil Nadu government officially named the monument the ‘Statue of Wisdom’.
The statue’s total height, including its 38-foot (12-metre) pedestal, is 133 feet, symbolizing the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural. The pedestal signifies the 38 chapters of Virtue, while the statue itself embodies the themes of Wealth and Love. Thiruvalluvar’s right hand, with three fingers pointing upward, represents the unity of the three sections of the Kural.
Set at 61 metres (200 feet) above sea level, the monument features an elegant bend at the waist, reminiscent of the cosmic dance poses of Hindu deities such as Nataraja. The entire structure weighs approximately 7,000 tonnes.
The upcoming statue at JNU is anticipated to act as a cultural bridge and a lasting symbol of Tamil heritage in the national capital.
