Human Values in Erode Tamilanban's Vanakkam Valluva!: A Study

Abstract

In the tradition of Tamil literature, the Thirukkural stands as a distinguished work that guides human life through the principles of virtue and ethical conduct. Transcending the boundaries of time, it has been widely accepted across cultures and provides ethical guidance for virtually every dimension of human existence. The thoughts of Thiruvalluvar transcend the boundaries of caste, religion, language, ethnicity, and nation, elevating the Thirukkural into a universal ethical text for humanity. Consequently, it occupies a distinctive position among the world's great humanistic literary works. Erode Tamilanban's Vanakkam Valluva! is a modern reinterpretation of Thiruvalluvar's humanistic ideas from the perspective of contemporary society. Rather than portraying Valluvar merely as an author of moral teachings, Tamilanban presents him as a champion of human liberation, a voice for social justice, a pioneer of egalitarian thought, and a symbol of universal humanity. Through poetic reinterpretation, Valluvar is transformed from a historical literary figure into a living thinker whose ideas engage directly with the social problems and challenges of the contemporary world. The poems in Vanakkam Valluva! foreground values such as human dignity, equality, social justice, freedom, compassion, and universal brotherhood. By placing Valluvar's ethical vision in dialogue with modern social realities, Tamilanban demonstrates the continuing relevance of the Thirukkural to contemporary human life. His poetry therefore functions as both a tribute to Valluvar and a critical re-reading of classical Tamil ethical thought. This article examines the humanistic values expressed in Erode Tamilanban's Vanakkam Valluva! and analyzes how the poet reinterprets Valluvar's ethical and social philosophy through a modern human-centred perspective. The study highlights the work's emphasis on equality, social responsibility, justice, and human dignity, demonstrating that humanism forms the central ideological foundation of Tamilanban's poetic engagement with Thiruvalluvar.