Thiruvalluvar Day 2024

Valluvar Year 2024 in Tamil Nadu

The Valluvar year, also referred to as the Thiruvalluvar year, holds an esteemed position as the officially accepted Tamil calendar system in Tamil Nadu. Its computation revolves around the hypothetical birth year of the revered Tamil poet-philosopher Valluvar. In contrast to the widely embraced Gregorian calendar, the Thiruvalluvar year encompasses an additional 31 years. To illustrate, while the Gregorian calendar designates the year 2024, in the realm of the Thiruvalluvar year, it corresponds to 2055.

Thiruvalluvar Day 2024 Date in TN: 17th January, Wednesday

History of Thiruvalluvar Day

After an unanimous agreement among Tamil scholars, Valluvar emerged as the most esteemed figure in the history of the Tamil language. This recognition was primarily attributed to his non-sectarian masterpiece, the Tirukkural. Consequently, a momentous decision was made on January 17, 1935, by Kali Sivakannuswami Pillai and Padmashri V. Suppaya to establish a day of commemoration known as “Thiruvalluvar Day” for all Tamils. Through their unwavering efforts, the Thiruvalluvar Day Association was established, aiming to celebrate this day not only in Tamil Nadu but also worldwide. The inaugural Thiruvalluvar Day took place on May 17 and 18, 1935, at Chennai Pachaiappan College, graced by the presence of eminent personalities such as Maraimalai Adigal, T.P. Meenakshisundaram, and Thiru. V. Kalyanasundaram.

However, as time went by and Thiruvalluvar Day gradually faded into obscurity, it was K. P. Ratnam, a distinguished Eelam Tamil scholar and politician, who revived the tradition in 1954. His tireless efforts ensured that the celebration of Thiruvalluvar Day continued not only in Tamil Nadu but also in foreign nations, particularly Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Thiruvalluvar Day in Tamil January

Pongal, a revered occasion among the Tamil community, holds the esteemed title of “Tamilar Thirunal.” This grand celebration takes place during the Tamil month of Tai, embodying the rich customs and traditions of the Tamil people. Notably, on the auspicious day of Pongal, the esteemed Tamil scholar K. A. P. Viswanatham proposed the idea of celebrating Thiruvalluvar Day alongside Tamilar Thirunal. In 1954, Viswanatham penned a letter to both the Tiruchi radio station and K. A. Ratnam, expressing his vision for this harmonious celebration.

To ensure consistency in the observance of Thiruvalluvar Day, it was decided in 1966 that the holiday would be commemorated on the second day of June each year. This decision was necessary due to the fluctuation of Vaikaasi anudam across different years. However, after five years, in 1971, it was deemed fitting to shift the festivities to the first day of the month. This adjustment ensured that Thiruvalluvar Day would always be embraced wholeheartedly by the Tamil community, remaining a testament to their cultural heritage and reverence for Thiruvalluvar.

What is Thiruvalluvar year?

Numerous historical milestones have been employed to denote the passage of time in the Tamil community. Among these, the Shaka era, Vikram Samvat, and Kali Yuga stand out. However, none of these specifically catered to the needs of the Tamils. Consequently, there arose a pressing need to introduce a calendar that truly resonated with the Tamil people.

One individual who had already put forth a suggestion was Maraimalai Adigal, proposing the year 31 BCE as the birth year of Valluvar. This idea gained traction among various Tamil scholars, including K. R. Rathinatham, who commemorated Thiruvalluvar Thirunal during M. Karunanidhi’s DMK government. It was during this time that the concept of Thiruvalluvar Year was introduced, with the inaugural ceremony being held under the auspices of the DMK government. Subsequently, in 1971, Thiruvalluvar Year was officially recognized and documented in the Tamil Gazette, becoming effective in 1972.

The significance of Thiruvalluvar Year was further solidified when, at the Madurai World Tamil Conference in 1981, the Chief Minister at that time, M. G. Ramachandran, issued an official decree mandating its use in all government documents.