From Thirukkural to Rameswaram: Tamil Culture and India’s Civilizational Diplomacy

India’s cultural identity is increasingly finding space on the global diplomatic stage, with Tamil language, literature, temples and historical traditions becoming visible elements of this engagement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s references to Tamil heritage during interactions with international leaders have generated considerable political and cultural discussion.

In an exclusive NewsX interview, Tughlak editor S. Gurumurthy interprets these developments as part of a broader approach that he describes as “civilizational diplomacy.” In his view, Tamil culture occupies an important place in India’s effort to project its civilizational heritage globally.

Thirukkural as a Diplomatic Gift to Putin

One of the most notable examples was Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during the BRICS Summit.

Modi described the Thirukkural as a work that encompasses the entire gamut of human life and expressed the hope that it would contribute to stronger people-to-people ties between India and Russia.

The gesture can therefore be viewed not merely as the exchange of a cultural gift but also as an attempt to bring India’s literary and intellectual traditions into international diplomacy.

The Thirukkural, composed by the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, addresses the fundamental dimensions of human life through the three broad themes of Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth and governance), and Inbam (love).

Its emphasis on ethics, leadership, social conduct and human relationships gives it relevance beyond the linguistic and geographical boundaries of Tamil Nadu.

A “Civilizational World Order”

Gurumurthy places these developments within what he sees as a broader transformation in global politics.

According to his interpretation, countries such as China and Russia increasingly present themselves not merely as modern nation-states but as civilizational states, drawing upon their ancient histories and cultural traditions.

Against this background, he argues that India too has an opportunity to project its own civilizational heritage internationally.

Tamil culture, in this framework, becomes particularly significant because of its ancient language, Sangam literature, Thirukkural, Chola history, temple architecture and sacred geography.

The presentation of Tamil cultural heritage on international platforms can therefore be interpreted as part of a larger effort to demonstrate India’s civilizational diversity and historical depth.

Rameswaram Temple as a Cultural Symbol

Another important element highlighted by Gurumurthy is the presence of the Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram as a prominent cultural symbol in the BRICS-related setting.

The temple is one of the most important sacred sites associated with India’s religious and cultural geography. Rameswaram also occupies a distinctive place in Tamil Nadu’s historical and spiritual landscape.

Gurumurthy connects this symbolism with Prime Minister Modi’s earlier informal engagements with Chinese President Xi Jinping, including the meetings at Wuhan and Mahabalipuram.

In his interpretation, references to ancient temples, sacred geography and civilizational connections provide a platform for diplomatic conversations that extend beyond conventional discussions of trade, security and geopolitics.

Mahabalipuram, for example, provided an opportunity to highlight India’s ancient maritime and cultural connections, while Rameswaram represents another important dimension of India’s sacred geography.

Tamil Identity and the Indian Civilizational Narrative

The political dimension of this discussion is particularly significant in Tamil Nadu.

Gurumurthy argues that Tamil identity and the broader Indian civilizational identity do not necessarily have to be viewed as competing identities. Instead, he sees the possibility of presenting Tamil cultural heritage as an integral part of India’s larger civilizational narrative.

This interpretation also enters into the longstanding political debate surrounding Dravidian ideology, Sanatana traditions, Hindu religious heritage, Hindi and North Indian political influence.

Gurumurthy has been critical of what he characterizes as certain strands of Dravidian politics that have historically opposed aspects of Sanatana Dharma and pan-Indian cultural narratives. His argument is that highlighting Tamil literature, spirituality and history within India’s national narrative challenges the idea that Tamil identity and Indian civilizational identity are inherently contradictory.

However, the political traditions within Tamil Nadu are diverse, and different Dravidian parties and movements have expressed varying positions on these issues. Therefore, Gurumurthy’s interpretation represents one side of an ongoing political and ideological debate.

Thirukkural as India’s Soft Power

The Thirukkural has considerable potential as an instrument of India’s cultural soft power.

Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it addresses universal questions of human existence rather than focusing exclusively on a particular community or geographical region.

Questions of morality, governance, economic conduct, leadership, friendship, family life and social responsibility are addressed throughout the text.

This makes the Thirukkural particularly suitable for international cultural diplomacy.

Presenting a Russian translation of the work to the Russian President, therefore, can be seen as more than a symbolic acknowledgement of Tamil literature. It introduces an important part of India’s intellectual heritage into a global diplomatic conversation.

The Thirukkural’s universal ethical character also allows it to be presented as a bridge between different cultures and civilizations.

From Tamil Heritage to Global Diplomacy

In recent years, Tamil history and cultural heritage have appeared more prominently in India’s international and national cultural messaging.

References to the Sengol in Parliament, visits to historic Tamil sites, recognition of Chola heritage and the international presentation of the Thirukkural are viewed by supporters as elements of a broader cultural outreach.

Whether these initiatives are primarily motivated by cultural diplomacy, domestic politics, or a combination of both remains a subject of political debate.

Nevertheless, their cumulative effect has been to place Tamil language, literature and history more visibly within discussions of India’s civilizational identity.

BRICS: Beyond Cultural Diplomacy

The significance of the BRICS Summit extends well beyond cultural symbolism.

Gurumurthy also highlights the broader diplomatic and economic outcomes associated with the summit, including the adoption of a joint declaration despite continuing geopolitical tensions among participating countries.

The emphasis on micro, small and medium enterprises, including women-led MSMEs, is particularly relevant to India’s aspirations regarding exports, entrepreneurship and global supply chains.

Issues relating to terrorism and its financing also received attention in the summit’s diplomatic discussions. From Gurumurthy’s perspective, references to Pahalgam and cross-border terrorism represented an important element of India’s security diplomacy.

The BRICS platform also provides India with an opportunity to engage simultaneously with major powers and countries from the Global South, reinforcing its broader diplomatic outreach.

Tamil Culture Beyond Party Politics

Tamil culture cannot be regarded as the property of any single political party.

Thiruvalluvar, the Thirukkural, Sangam literature, Chola architecture and Rameswaram belong to a cultural heritage that has evolved over centuries.

When these symbols are used by the Indian government in international diplomacy, they naturally become part of political debate. At the same time, their international presentation can create new opportunities to introduce Tamil heritage to audiences across the world.

The two dimensions need to be distinguished carefully.

Political interpretations may change with governments and parties, but the underlying cultural heritage remains much older than contemporary political movements.

A New Opportunity for Tamil Cultural Diplomacy

The growing prominence of Tamil language, Thirukkural and Tamil historical heritage in India’s international engagements points toward a broader opportunity.

Tamil Nadu has one of the world’s oldest continuous literary traditions. The Thirukkural, in particular, provides a powerful example of how a classical Tamil text can speak to contemporary global audiences through universal ideas of ethics, governance and human values.

If such cultural assets are presented internationally with historical accuracy and without reducing them to partisan political symbols, they can contribute significantly to India’s cultural diplomacy.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presentation of the Russian translation of the Thirukkural to Vladimir Putin, together with the prominence given to Rameswaram’s Ramanathaswamy Temple, has brought Tamil culture into the centre of a wider discussion about India’s civilizational diplomacy.

Gurumurthy interprets these developments as evidence of a deliberate effort to integrate Tamil heritage into India’s broader civilizational narrative.

There may be differing political interpretations of this approach. Some may see it primarily as cultural diplomacy, while others may examine it through the lens of domestic political competition and ideological debate.

But beyond those political interpretations lies a larger cultural reality.

Tamil language, literature and heritage are not confined to the boundaries of Tamil Nadu. Thirukkural, in particular, possesses the intellectual and ethical breadth to engage with humanity at large.

The challenge—and opportunity—is to take that heritage to the world in a manner that preserves its Tamil identity while demonstrating its universal relevance.

In that sense, the journey from Thiruvalluvar to Rameswaram, from Tamil literature to global diplomacy, represents an emerging chapter in India’s engagement with the world through its civilizational heritage.