DMK Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian’s address at a graduation ceremony of the College of Engineering, Guindy, under Anna University, has drawn attention after he appeared to mix up Thirukkural couplets while narrating an anecdote during his speech.
Speaking at the convocation event, the minister highlighted the historic legacy and prestige of the institution and congratulated graduating students, particularly first-generation graduates and women achievers. He also spoke about his own journey from a farming family to becoming a minister, stressing the role of Tamil Nadu’s social and educational reforms.
Speaking of Thirukkural, he said, “Everyone in the audience likes the Thirukkural; it is a universal scripture, and people will recite and quote their favorite verses according to their convenience.”
During the speech, Chezhian referred to an incident from a public function in the Kumbakonam region where he had gifted a portrait of Thiruvalluvar to a three-year-old girl and asked her to recite her favourite Thirukkural. He said, “When I attend public events, it is my custom to give gifts to students, and these gifts usually include a picture of Valluvar.”
He continued, “When I went to a simple event in the Kumbakonam area, I gave a gift of affection to a three-year-old girl. I asked her who it was, and she said, “Thiruvalluvar.” I asked her to recite her favorite Thirukkural couplet. Simple couplets are recited by ordinary people; favorite couplets are recited by those who cherish them. The words that the three-year-old child spoke were, “Igazhvaarai thaangum nilam pola thannai, iyalvaarai poruthal thalai”.
Instead of saying “அகழ்வாரைத் தாங்கும் நிலம்போலத் தம்மை இகழ்வார்ப் பொறுத்தல் தலை,” (Agazhvaarai thaangum nilapola thammai igazhvaara poruthhal thalai) meaning ‘to bear insults is best, like the earth which bears and maintains its diggers’, he said the above words as quoted.
When he repeated the kural, he seemed to say it correctly. He then continued reciting another popular kural. He said, “Karka kasadara karka, kattrappin nirka adharku thaga.”
The exact words for this kural are “கற்க கசடறக் கற்பவை கற்றபின் நிற்க அதற்குத் தக.” This means ‘Learn thoroughly what is worth learning, without fault; Having learnt, let your conduct accord with that learning.’
He followed it by saying, “There is the pride that the Tamil race, 3000 years ago, created the Thirukkural, a book that elevated the importance of education in the world, with this couplet.”
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The video clippings from the event have since gone viral across social media platforms, triggering sharp reactions from netizens. Many users questioned how the DMK, a party that has long projected itself as a principal stakeholder and guardian of the Tamil language and its classical heritage, could have senior leaders falter while quoting one of Tamil literature’s most revered texts.
The criticism was particularly pointed given that the error came from the Higher Education Minister himself. When those occupying key portfolios connected to education and language make such visible mistakes while citing the Thirukkural, it invites scrutiny and weakens the party’s long-held cultural positioning.
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