Globalizing Tamil Studies, One Kural at a Time
The Shansi team would like to extend our wholehearted congratulations to Shansi Alum to Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma on the publication of his wonderful translation of Tirukkural by the classical Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar. THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural – A New Translation of the Classical Tamil Masterpiece on Ethics, Power, and Love received a glowing review in The New York Review of Books from David Shulman, who wrote that “To translate even a single kural couplet, bewitching in its rhythm and packed with meaning, is a formidable task. But we now have Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma’s translation, without doubt the best ever into English.”
Pruiksma got his start studying and translating Tamil as a Shansi Fellow to American College in Madurai from 1998–2000. As Shansi proudly celebrates its 70th year of meaningful exchange in India, Pruiksma’s translation work is a reminder of the long-lasting impact Shansi has on lives, careers, and linguistic exchange. Read the full review in the New York Review here and find out more about Pruiksma’s work here.
Thomas Pruiksma with his book, THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural – A New Translation of the Classical Tamil Masterpiece on Ethics, Power, and Love.