Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Modi Gifts Putin Russian Thirukkural Translation Ahead of BRICS Summit
Narendra Modi gave Vladimir Putin a Russian-language copy of a famous Tamil book called the Thirukkural.
The book was written by the poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar.
It has 1,330 short poems, called couplets, arranged in 133 chapters.
The poems discuss being good, treating people with compassion, governing fairly, and building relationships.
The book is described as secular and universal because it does not focus on one religion or caste.
The new edition lets Russian readers explore its ideas in their own language.
The gift was exchanged during a meeting in New Delhi connected to the BRICS Summit.
Some accounts say the book influenced Leo Tolstoy, although historians have not conclusively established how strong that influence was.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during their New Delhi meeting.
The exchange took place around the BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2026.
Written by Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural contains 1,330 couplets in 133 chapters.
Its three broad themes cover virtue and ethical conduct, society and governance, and love and relationships.
The 2026 Russian edition was published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil and translated by Naira Mkrtchyan.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a translated edition of the Thirukkural.
- What
- Modi presented Putin with a Russian translation of the celebrated Tamil classic by Thiruvalluvar.
- When
- The meeting and gift were reported as taking place on September 11, 2026; one report dated the presentation September 12. The BRICS Summit was scheduled for September 12-13.
- Where
- The exchange took place in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- Modi said the translation carried Thiruvalluvar’s wisdom across languages and borders and could strengthen people-to-people ties.
Accounts Supporting a Tolstoy Connection
Historical Caution About the Connection
Thirukkural’s influence on Leo Tolstoy
Accounts Supporting a Tolstoy Connection
Reports say Leo Tolstoy read the Thirukkural in an early translation and was impressed by its teachings on non-violence, compassion and virtue. One account links these ideas to Tolstoy’s writings about love and non-violent resistance.
Historical Caution About the Connection
Other accounts state that the extent of the Thirukkural’s influence on Tolstoy, and its subsequent influence through his correspondence with Mahatma Gandhi, has not been conclusively established by historians.
- Original work
- Thirukkural, also spelled Tirukkural, meaning “sacred couplets” or “sacred verses”
- Author
- Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, also known as Valluvar
- Length
- 1,330 couplets
- Structure
- 133 chapters, with 10 couplets in each chapter
- Main themes
- Virtue and ethical conduct; society, economics, politics and governance; love and relationships
- Russian edition
- Published in 2026 by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil
- Translator
- Naira Mkrtchyan
