News Published in The Hindu Daily in

2008

Great performance: A happy winner.

K. JESHI
K. Priyadharsini enters the Limca Book of Records for her mastery in Thirukkural
recital.
While in Std. I, K. Priyadharsini used to recite 10 Thirukkural every day during the
morning assembly at her school.
Now, this Std. XI student of Bharathi Matriculation Higher Secondary School is the
proud owner of the title Thirukkural Selvi.
The Limca Book of Records has given the title in recognition of her talent to memorise
the 1330 couplets of Thirukkural and for the ability to recite the verses from memory.
By the end of 133 days, I learnt and memorised all the 1330 kurals, while studying in
Std. I, smiles the student.
Choose any random number from 1 to 1330, and she immediately comes up with the
corresponding couplet.

Over the years, she has also learnt to recall the couplets based on chapter numbers, on
specific descriptions such as animals, flowers, weapons and birds, and special kurals
with repetitive words, to name a few.
I used to be a regular participant in Tamil elocution competitions and it is my Tamil
teachers who introduced me to the world of Thirukkural.
And, one more reason why I wanted to learn is you can easily score full marks for
Thirukkural in exams, adds the bright student, who aspires to become an IAS officer.

Animal truths
Priyadharsini says there are 10 couplets that use elephant, lion, tiger, wolf and
snake as examples to convey deeper meanings.
For instance, one couplet, which features a snake and a rat, conveys the message
on how one needs to be careful about enemies.
And, elephant and wolf example teaches the lesson on the need to be conscious
of your actions in all situations.
There is a couplet in which the word elephant appears twice and it has a message on
hard work and dedication to achieve results in whatever we do, the winner says, who
has also cleared the Microsoft Certified Profession exam when she was in Std.
VII.
Her pick is the chapter on education and friendship.
From how to choose a friend to helping them in difficult situations, to listening to elders
to earning the asset of education, every couplet teaches a lesson about life,
Priyadharsini adds.

Art of Sixteen Memories - Sodasa Avathanam

1) Thirukkural Memory : Five Persons would recite the number of Thirukkural at
random and Kavanagar would recite the verses of Thirukkural in sequence.

2) Numerical Memory : Seeking of a number in 20 digits given by the audience in a

random sequence and repeat them in their regular order and also in reverse order.

3) Alphabetical Memory : A spectator would take a sentence of 25 letters and recite

the letters as 10th Letter, 1st letter, 20th letter and 8th letter, 13th letter etc. at random
and Kavanagar would complete the sentence from his memory.

4) Names Memory : A spectator would write down five names and recite as first letter in
the 5th name, third letter in the 4th name, second letter in the 3rd name at random i.e,
without a definite plan and Kavanagar would furnish the five names in sequence without
spelling mistake or error.

5) Creative Memory : Kavanagar would compose a chaste Tamil Stanza if given a

verse ot theme by a spectator.

6) Memory of Ragas: A spectator would hum a tune in Karnatic Music with specifies
ragas at random and Kavanagar would recognize the ragas and deliver the list at the
end. (Ragas List : Mohanam, Kalyani, Kappi, Hindholum, Nattai, Anandha Bairavi,
Shanmuga Priya, Thodi, Adaana, Neelambari, Kanada, Sindhu Bairavi, Punnaga Varali,
Muhari, Bilahari, Sarukesi, Senjurutti, Sahanna, Sarumathi, Saranga).

7) Mathematical Memory - Magic Square: The Kavanagar would furnish the number
given by audience in 16 sequences and the answer in all sequences would remain the
same whether added vertically, horizontally, or dioganally.

8) Mathematical Memory - Addition: A spectator would say three digital or four digital

sums and Kavanagar would add the numbers and answers accordingly.

9) Mathematical Memory - Multiplication: Kavanagar would answer the sum of 3

digitals multiplication sums.

10) Mathematical Memory - Art of Ending 100: Kavanagar and a spectator would
recite and add the numbers between 2 and 9 at random and the Kavanagar would end it
at the number 100.

11) Memory of Colours: A spectator would recite the colours according to his choice
without any definite order and Kavanagar would state the names of the colour in the
sequence order.

12) Memory of Touching Sense: Kavanagar would give the correct number, that how
many times he felt the flowers touching on his back.

13) Memory of Hearing Sense: Giving the correct number of rings tosses from a bell in
the hall.

14) Hand Technique Memory: Linking and Delinking of the complicated horse-shoe
chain.

15) Finding the day for any date of birth: Given date of birth of the spectator
Kavanagar would furnish the Day of birth.

16) Memory of Illustration on Kural: Audience can ask Thirukkural in any way such as
giving the number, giving the meaning, giving the importance of the couplet. Kavanagar
can give the correct answer.

In the Year 2002

It was a great feat indeed, of Kum.Sindhuja, a class VIII student of
Ramana Vidya Kendra, Ambattur, Chennai, reciting the 1330 couplets of
Thirukkural and reciting in response to hundred different types of questions
put by learned Tamil Pandits. She was thrilled with joy, when her name
was announced for the Thirukkural Maamani title, among the 45 students who participated in
the competition from all over Tamil Nadu.
I was tested by World Thirukkural Centre in hundred different ways and I stood first among the
45 participants from all over Tamil Nadu. I was also conferred Thirukkural Maamani Award'
and Young Thirukkural Ambassador enjoining on me a responsibility to promote Thirukkural
among people. I also participated in a Thirukkural music competition and stood first and
received Thirukkural Isai Selvar Award.

 Thirukkural Thirumoola Nathar

Thirukkural Pratheba