Speakers, at the inauguration of a two-day meet of Tamil and Kannada writers and artists on Monday, highlighted the similarities in the works of Thiruvalluvar and Sarvajna.
Though Thiruvalluvar and Sarvajna lived in different regions and different periods, and propagated their messages through different languages, they strove hard for the removal of man-made differences in society and attacked caste hierarchy. They transcended the barriers of caste, creed and religion.
Inaugurating the meet, Thotta Tharani, artist, commended the organisers, Sahtiya Akademi and Yali Foundation, for their effort. Such inter-disciplinary meetings should be held every year and they should become a people's movement.
T. Venkatesha Murthy, Director, Translation Centre of the Akademi, Bangalore, described Thriuvalluvar and Sarvajna as people's poets. Compared to Thirukkural, Sarvajna's verses had not been translated much. He called for greater attention to be paid by translators.
'Sirpi' Balasubramaniam, convener, Tamil Advisory Board of the Akademi, said education and agriculture were among the subjects covered by the two poets.
Agrahara Krishnamurthy, Secretary of the Akademi, referred to the historical ties between Tamil and Kannada.
