Salve for the soul

FOR CITY-DWELLERS with raw nerves, driven to the edge by the hectic pace of life, May 14 could prove to be a turning point. A `bible' of sorts is being released in Chennai, which could contain the salve they are looking for, both believers and non- believers alike.

The Tirukkural in bilingual, ``bible'' format, combines the traditional masterpiece of Tamil culture with modern production values.

This has created an edition of the magnum opus that has the look, feel and value of a reference work, which thousands would thumb through everyday.

In fact, it is because of Tirukkural that Tamil enjoys the pride of place as one of the five classical languages of the world, Latin, Hebrew, Greek and Sanskrit being the other. Except for Tamil, which links millions, few speak the other classical languages today.

One reason could be the meaning of the word Tamil itself. Tholkappiyam, the earliest Tamil text, a grammatical work belonging to the 7th century B.C., has defined Tamil as epitomising everything pleasing and natural.

However, with the passage of time the reach of the Tirukkural has become restricted. Keeping this in mind, the bilingual book, in Tamil and English, is now being released.

Result of the effort of the Chicago-based International Tamil Language Foundation, a non-profit organisation, ``it took 10 years to bring out the publication, at a cost of about $150,000. It is not merely a reproduction and translation of the scripture, but a detailed book bringing alive the entirety and beauty of the Tirukkural,'' says the director of the foundation Director, Mr. Alagappa Rammohan.

For the U.S.-based computer engineer and his wife Ms. Meenakshi Rammohan, a research dietitian, it has been a dream project for which ``we sacrificed television in the evenings''.

Each of the 1,832 pages of the book, a combination of three - Tirukkural, The Handbook of Tamil Culture and Heritage, and A Guide to Tamils' Future - has been 24-carat gold plated.

A special Canadian grade paper has been used for the book to reduce weight.

Containing 133 sketches which depict the meaning of kurals, the book is exhaustive in content and each of its sections bifurcated into different sub-sections, including one which prescribes Kurals to meet day to day challenges.

Since Kurals are ``heavy'' and may not prompt children to read them, a comics-style section explains the life and work of Valluvar in the book.

The volume contains interesting, yet ``buried'' aspects of Tamil kingdoms and rulers, Tamil heritage and about the Tamil diaspora, besides highlighting the greatness of the Sage Tiruvalluvar.

The function at Kamaraj Arangam will be attended by Prof. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Scientific Adviser to the Centre. The Madras University Vice-Chancellor, Prof.Pon.Kothandaraman, will release an audio-cassette in which 25 chapters of Tirukkural - Kaamathuppal - are set to Tamil classical music in 25 ragas.

By N. Ravi Kumar

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