The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition that sought to officially change the celebration date of Tamil saint-poet Tiruvalluvar’s birthday. The petition, filed by Prof. Dr. Samy Thiyagarajan, President of Tiruvalluvar Thirunat Khazhagam, argued for the recognition of the poet’s birthday on Anusham Natchatram in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May) rather than the currently observed date on the second day of the Tamil month Thai (January).
Justice M. Dhandapani, presiding over the case, noted that there is no conclusive evidence to pinpoint the exact birthday of Tiruvalluvar. The decision was based on the lack of substantial material or historical records to support any specific date as the definitive birthday of the revered poet, whose life and teachings are immortalized in the Tirukkural—a seminal work in Tamil literature known for its profound moral insights.
The petition highlighted that the current celebration date, established by a governmental order, does not claim to mark the actual birthday of Tiruvalluvar but is instead a tribute to the lasting influence of his work, Tirukkural. This text is celebrated across various cultural, religious, and social groups for its universal themes and values.
Justice Dhandapani emphasized that the establishment of the poet’s birthday celebration in January does not attribute it to being his actual birth date but serves as a period dedicated to honoring his contributions to Tamil culture and ethics. The court pointed out that the establishment of the birthday in January was a gesture of respect and not a declaration of the actual date of birth.
