INTRODUCTION :
The School of Humanities, Takshashila University organized the 1st International Conference on Thirukkural on 6th and 7th February 2026, bringing together scholars and academicians to explore the universal ethical and philosophical values of the Thirukkural. The conference was graced by the presence of Professor Dr. Arokiyaraj Selvaraj, President of the South Korean Tamil Research Association and Professor in the Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, South Korea, whose address highlighted the global relevance of Thirukkural and the growing international engagement with Tamil studies.
The inaugural session began with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance and the illumination of knowledge. The ceremony, conducted in a serene and reverential atmosphere, marked an auspicious beginning to the eventand reflected the institution’s respect for cultural values and academic traditions.
Following this, an invocatory Bharatanatyam performance was presented as a graceful cultural offering. The classical dance, rich in expression, rhythm, and symbolic gestures, set a dignified tone for the program and highlighted the enduring artistic heritage of India. Together, the ceremonial lamp lighting and the cultural performance created a meaningful and culturally enriching opening to the conference proceedings.
The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. S. Deepa, Dean, Faculty of Science, who extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest, Professor Dr. Arokiyaraj Selvaraj, President of the South Korean Tamil Research Association and Professor in the Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, South Korea. She also graciously welcomed the honorable dignitaries, faculty members, and students present for the conference.
In her address, Dr. S. Deepa highlighted the richness and global relevance of the Tamil language and eloquently praised the timeless wisdom of the Thirukkural, emphasizing its enduring moral, ethical, and cultural values. Her address set an inspiring and scholarly tone for the conference proceedings and reflected the institution’s commitment to promoting Tamil heritage and academic excellence.
The Felicitation Address was delivered by Professor Dr. S. Senthil, Registrar of Takshashila University, who warmly welcomed the Chief Guest, Professor Dr. Arokiyaraj Selvaraj, President of the South Korean Tamil Research Association and Professor in the Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, South Korea.
In his address, he emphasized the importance of preserving one’s mother tongue and highlighted the active participation of Takshashila University students in Ananda Vikatan, reflecting their literary engagement. He also spoke on the global significance of the Thirukkural, noting its translation into 68 languages, and highlighted five core principles—kindness, friendship, education, goal-oriented living, and discipline—as guiding values for students’ personal and professional success.
The felicitation address was followed by an address by Professor Dr. Vivek Inder Kochhar, Vice- Chancellor, Takshashila University. In his speech, he highlighted the values taught by ancient civilizations, emphasizing that the foundation of humanities lies in respect for elders and ethical conduct. He spoke about the future being shaped by artificial intelligence and introduced the concept of voice banking, explaining its significance in emerging technologies.
He noted the depth of languages, stating that English carries multiple meanings, while emphasizing that voice banking primarily recognizes Sanskrit and Tamil for their linguistic precision. Referring to India as “God’s own land,” he stressed that in today’s fast-paced world, preserving culture and engaging in spiritual reading bring peace of mind. He concluded by encouraging students to take pride in the Tamil language and in being part of a land rich in culture and spiritual heritage
CHIEF GUEST ADDRESS :
The Chief Guest, Professor Dr. Arokiyaraj Selvaraj, President of the South Korean Tamil Research Association and Professor in the Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, Sejong University, South Korea, delivered an inspiring address, describing the conference as a celebration of Tamil culture and knowledge. He expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries and emphasized the enduring significance of the Tamil language.
He highlighted that just as religions follow their sacred texts, Tamil people regard the Thirukkural as a moral guide, quoting Thiruvalluvar’s teaching that words should never harm others. He also spoke on the legacy of Thiruvalluvar and the historical journey of the Thirukkural, proudly noting its translation into Korean in 2026. Addressing students, he emphasized that education earns respect, encouraged learning emerging technologies, and concluded by affirming that Thirukkural is integral to Tamil identity and that hard work always leads to success.
The conference witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars and students across various institutions, with over 100 research articles received. Participants from more than 30 colleges actively contributed to the academic deliberations, reflecting the wide outreach and scholarly significance of the event. The conference also attracted international participation, with students from countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) submitting and presenting their research articles. This diverse academic engagement highlighted the conference’s global relevance and its role in fostering meaningful scholarly exchange.
RELEASE OF THE CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS :
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Professor Dr. Suriyanarayanan A, who expressed sincere gratitude to the Chief Guest, distinguished dignitaries, speakers, faculty members, and participants for their valuable presence and contributions. He also extended appreciation to the organizing committee, coordinators, and student volunteers for their dedicated efforts in ensuring the successful conduct of the conference. The support and active participation of all stakeholders were instrumental in making the event a meaningful and memorable academic gathering Explore insightful online webinars follow @TakshashilaCollege for updates
