Tirukkural: The Book of Desire

by Thiruvalluvar, Meena Kandasamy (Translator)

Written by the poet Thiruvalluvar, the Kamattu-p-pal is the third part of the Tirukkural—one of the most important texts in Tamil literature. The most intimate section of this great work—it is also, historically, the part that has been most heavily censored. Although hundreds of male translations of the text have been published, it has also only ever been translated by a woman once before. Tirukkural is award-winning writer Meena Kandasamy’s luminous translation of the Kamattu-p-pal.

Meena Kandasamy delves into this classic, and provides the first feminist interventionist translation into English—remaining true to the desire throbbing through the lifeblood of the text, while retaining the drama that pervades the quintessential Tamil world of exaggerated hurt, lover’s quarrels and evenings lost to longing.

With her trademark wit, lyricism and passionate insight, Meena weaves a magic spell: taking the reader on a journey through 250 kurals, organised under separate headings — ‘The Pleasure of Sex’, ‘Renouncing Shame’, ‘The Delights of Sulking’ — the result is a fresh, vital, and breath-taking translation that conveys powerful messages about female sensuality, agency, and desire. It is a revolution 2000 years in the making.

Genres: Poetry

208 pages, Hardcover

Published January 23, 2023

About the author

(Tamil: திருவள்ளுவர்) is a celebrated Tamil poet and philosopher whose contribution to Tamil literature is the Thirukkural, a work on ethics. As with most other details about Valluvar, the exact place of his birth remains uncertain. Thiruvalluvar is thought to have lived sometime between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century BC.

The Tamil poet Mamulanar of the Sangam period mentioned that Thiruvalluvar was the greatest Tamil scholar and Mamulanar also mentioned the Nanda Dynasty of northern which ruled until the 4th century BC. This estimate is based on linguistic analysis of his writings, as there is no archaeological evidence for when he lived. He is sometimes also called Theiva Pulavar ("Divine Poet"), Valluvar, Poyyamozhi Pulavar, Senna Pothar,Gnana Vettiyan or Ayyan.

Reviews

[Harsh Tyagi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the perfect read for Valentine's day this time!

Tirukkural is award-winning writer Meena Kandasamy's luminous translation of the Kamattu-p-pal. Written by the poet Thiruvalluvar, the Kamattu-p-pal is the third part of the Tirukkural - one of the most important texts in Tamil literature. Although hundreds of male translations of the text have been published, it has also only ever been translated by a woman once before.

With fifty pages of introductory text that just captures our hearts, The book has 250 kurals, or short couplets, divided in 25 chapters. The love poems, short verses, such few words, yet so much to say. Enough for the readers to experience the joy of loving, the desire of the beloved, the pains and the beautiful times and the lover's beauty. It talks about the female desire, the world of exaggerated hurt, the lover's quarrels and evenings lost to longing.

The book has the original text in Tamil as well as the English translation, so it's a rejoice for the readers of both languages.

Such mesmerising poetry!

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Little words of anger,
looks of sworn enmity -
such deliberate indifference
is the sign of Intimacy.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Could there be people in love
with those who do not care
for them? My eyes have lost
their peace without seeing him.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

[| Shakshi | · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not much into poetry so I think I won't be the right person to say so any for this book. But,

the Lyrical methodology of conveying the words in the form of "kural" is beautiful!!

I do require a second read go understand the meaning better.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiruvalluvar, an ancient Tamil poet and philosopher, is known for writing the Tirukkural, a collection of couplets on topics like love and ethics. The Kamattu-p-pal, the most intimate section of the text, is the most historically heavily censored. This is the first translation by a woman, Meena Kandaswamy, an anti-caste activist, poet, novelist, and translator. Kandaswamy's translation of the Kamattu-p-pal into English is a luminous and vital work, conveying powerful messages about female sensuality, agency, and desire. The translation consists of 250 kurals, organized under headings like 'The Pleasure of Sex', 'Renouncing Shame', and 'The Delights of Sulking'. The book offers a unique experience of first-century BCE poetry without missing the actual essence and offers gratification through women-centric love and intimacy.

[Vidhya Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautiful beautiful book that celebrates love, passion for love, desire and separation!
A 2000-year-old song of female love and desire! Here you'll find the signs of attraction, the longing for sex, to reading the signs. The solace of dreams to a Lament of the Lovesick, Kandasamy expresses the poems beautifully. The richness of the words gives readers a mesmerizing reading experience.

It's a book to treasure forever!

[Mich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una traducción bellísima.

[Gowsalyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beauty this is !! Incredibly translated

[Devanshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the introduction of this book. So much thought goes into attempting a translation of a text and it was enlightening to read. It made me think of some texts by the Kenyan writer Thiong’o. As a non-Tamil speaker I am unqualified to judge the poetry. The English version of this was not my style of poetry but maybe it sounds better in Tamil just like some Hindi&Urdu poetry or songs are just lost when translated to English.