Artwork by Joseph Feely

In the midst of the Kanyakumari sea, where the waves sing a lullaby, a statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar was erected, surrounded by the ocean, to stand eternal as long as the world exists. It was inaugurated on 01.01.2000 by Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar.

The Thiruvalluvar statue, standing atop a 30-foot-high rock above sea level, rises to a height of 133 feet and weighs 7,000 tonnes. It is crafted from 3,681 large stones.

The pedestal of the statue is 38 feet high, symbolising the 38 chapters of the Virtue section (Arathuppal) of the Thirukkural. The statue itself stands 95 feet tall, representing the 95 chapters of the Wealth (Porutpal) and Love (Inbathuppal) sections. Together, the pedestal and statue measure 133 feet, representing the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural.

Artwork by Joseph Feely

On 31.12.1975, the DMK government decided in a cabinet meeting to erect a statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, the author of the Thirukkural, at Kanyakumari beach. However, within 30 days, the DMK government was dissolved.

Subsequent governments made no significant efforts, and in 1979, only a foundation stone was laid, but no further progress was made. Ten years later, after the DMK formed its government for the third time in 1989, Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar initiated the carving of the Thiruvalluvar statue on the shores of Kanyakumari in 1990.

In 1991, the DMK government was dissolved again, and the project stalled with no proactive efforts from the succeeding governments. Work came to a complete standstill.

In 1996, when Kalaignar became the Chief Minister for the fourth time, he expedited the work on the Thiruvalluvar statue, ensuring its completion.

Artwork by Joseph Feely

It was Kalaignar who first voiced the need to place Thiruvalluvar's portrait in the Legislative Assembly and ensured that Thirukkural was featured in government buses and offices.

He introduced "Thiruvalluvar Day" and the "Thiruvalluvar Calendar" into practice. Furthermore, Kalaignar authored commentaries and curated Kural Oviyam (illustrations of the Thirukkural).

Iconic Valluvar Kottam in Chennai, Nungambakkam, Inclusion of Thiruvalluvar's image on police medals, Renovation of the Valluvar Temple in Mylapore, Financial support to Venugopal Sharma, who painted Thiruvalluvar’s portrait, Installation of a Thiruvalluvar statue at Tamil Nadu House in Delhi, Establishment of the Thiruvalluvar Auditorium at the Tamil Sangam in Delhi, Annual Thiruvalluvar Award, Erection of the grand Thiruvalluvar statue at Kanyakumari. The DMK government continues to be a government that reveres and celebrates Thiruvalluvar.

Artwork by Joseph Feely

Written in the concise Kural Venba poetic form, the Thirukkural delivers life principles in just two-line couplets. Esteemed scholars and thinkers have referred to it by many names, including:
Universal Scripture (Ulaga Podhu Marai), Tamil Scripture (Tamil Marai), The Infallible Word (Poiya Mozhi), The Divine Text (Theiva Nool), The Text of Three Sections (Muppaal Nool), The Supreme Veda (Uttara Vedam), A Manual of Blessings (Vaayurai Vaazhthu)

Thiruvalluvar, the author of this universal scripture, is celebrated by numerous honorific titles, including: Senjapputhar (A Sage with Sacred Knowledge), Theivappulavar (The Divine Poet),
Naayanar (A Revered Leader), Mudharpaavalar (The First Poet), Naanmukanar (One Equal to Brahma), Mathaanubhangi (The Philosopher), Perunavalar (The Great Scholar), Poiyil Pulavar (The Poet of Truth). The Thirukkural continues to be celebrated worldwide as a treasure of universal wisdom.

Artwork by Joseph Feely

On the night of 01.01.2000, at 7:30 PM, the statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar was unveiled in a grand display of light, leaving everyone in awe and amazement.

When I pressed the button to unveil the statue, not only did my finger freeze unknowingly, but I also lost all sense of myself. I was overwhelmed to such an extent.

The statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar was erected after 25 long years of relentless effort! The thought that I had the lifetime to witness this moment and inaugurate it fills me with indescribable emotions. Even Tamil Thaai (Mother Tamil) would admit that words fall short to describe my state of mind. What more can I say!