The Thiruvalluvar Statue, also known as the Valluvar Statue, is a stone sculpture depicting the Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar. Thiruvalluvar’s writings underscored ethical principles such as righteousness, honesty, and compassion. The statue stands as a poignant symbol, urging individuals to uphold moral integrity and embrace virtuous living.
As a significant figure in Tamil literature and philosophy, Thiruvalluvar epitomizes the profound cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. The statue serves as a beacon of cultural pride, commemorating Tamil identity and nurturing a deep sense of belonging within the Tamil community.
Read to know more about what to see and do when in Kanyakumari.
About the statue
Standing proudly at a towering height of 133 feet (40.6 meters) and perched atop a 38-foot (11.5-meter) pedestal, the Thiruvalluvar Statue ranks among the tallest statues in India, currently holding the 25th position. Crafted from stone, it pays homage to the Tamil literary luminary Thiruvalluvar, renowned for his seminal work “Thirukkural,” a timeless Tamil scripture comprising couplets or Kurals exploring various facets of life and ethics.
The combined stature of the statue and its pedestal mirrors the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural. This encompassing design includes a towering 95-foot (29-meter) portrayal of Valluvar standing atop a 38-foot (12-meter) pedestal, representing the 38 chapters of Virtue, the inaugural section of the Kural text. The statue itself symbolizes the subsequent two books of the Kural text, focusing on Wealth and Love. This artistic representation underscores the importance of building one’s prosperity and relationships upon a foundation of unwavering virtue.
Notably, the statue’s right hand, featuring three upward-pointing fingers, symbolizes the three divisions of the Kural text: Aram, Porul, and Inbam, signifying Virtue, Wealth, and Love, respectively.
Thiruvalluvar rightly said, “What has been learned is of use only to the extent that it serves others. If not, the learned person is deemed to have no value.”
The statue, with its slight bend around the waist, is reminiscent of a dancing pose of the Hindu deities like Nataraja. The bend around the waist made the design challenging. However, meticulous planning, including the creation of a full-length wooden prototype, facilitated the resolution of this challenge.
Impressively, the Thiruvalluvar Statue weighs a staggering 7,000 tonnes, standing as a monumental tribute to Thiruvalluvar’s enduring legacy and Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural heritage.
Architecture
The renowned Indian sculptor V. Ganapati Sthapati, former principal of the Government College of Architecture at Mahabalipuram, was selected for the monumental task of sculpting the statue from among 300 master builders. His proposal for an all-stone monument to honor the poet-philosopher prevailed over others. Sthapati argued that stone would ensure greater durability compared to metal, citing the extensive renovations required for the copper Statue of Liberty merely a century after its installation.
Approximately 150 workers, including sculptors, assistants, and supervisors, were enlisted for the project, laboring for about 16 hours a day to bring the vision to life.
Unveiling of the Thiruvalluvar Statue
On the momentous occasion of the millennium day, January 1, 2000, the statue was unveiled by the then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. The unveiling ceremony was graced by Indian political leaders, celebrities, and foreign delegates, including representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. To commemorate the event, numerous Tamil teachers from Tamil Nadu organized a rally from Kottaram to Kanyakumari, brandishing Tirukkural placards. Over fifty thousand individuals gathered to witness the historic occasion.
Following the unveiling, Chief Minister Karunanidhi described the statue as a “beacon of light to guide human life for all time to come.”
The Government of Tamil Nadu celebrates the 15th (16th on leap years) of January (the second of the month of ‘Thai’ as per Tamil Calendar) as Thiruvalluvar Day in the poet’s honour, as part of the Pongal celebrations.
Access to the Thiruvalluvar Statue
Located 400 meters (1,300 ft) from the coastline of Kanyakumari, the statue stands on a small island rock. Ferry services are readily available from the mainland, with the ferry to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial making a brief stop at the Valluvar Statue.
The Vivekananda Kendra has proposed connecting the Valluvar memorial to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial via a bridge, facilitating seamless movement for visitors between the two islands.
Read to know more about the Vivekananda Rock Memorial.
Cultural Fusion
Situated adjacent to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, the monument is hailed as a cultural amalgamation. It adheres to traditional Indian architectural principles, featuring a hollow interior extending from toe to scalp. Although visitors are not permitted to ascend the statue, they can climb up to its base at a height of 12 meters (38 ft).
Completed in the early 2000s, the construction of the Thiruvalluvar Statue has transformed it into a prominent tourist attraction, drawing visitors from across India and beyond. Beyond honoring Thiruvalluvar’s contributions to Tamil literature and philosophy, the statue symbolizes Tamil culture and heritage. Its picturesque location at the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean further enhances its allure, attracting tourists and pilgrims alike.
The towering presence of the statue symbolizes the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment, inspiring individuals to seek wisdom and pursue personal development. This echoes Thiruvalluvar’s conviction in the transformative power of education and self-improvement.
Read to know more about the history of Kanyakumari.
Happy Traveling 🙂
(The featured image is by Wikipedia Commons)
