Tamil literature gives us valuable insights into Tamil values, ancient life, and philosophies.
But here's the problem: Most people find it difficult to read texts written over 1,000 years ago on their own. So they either never engage with these texts, start but get frustrated, or rely on a single English translation and call it a day.
What you lose: Some of the greatest insights into understanding Tamil heritage and history — including the philosophies, values, and worldviews that we still see today.
Why? Tamil literature is poetry and prose with multiple layers of meaning. While translations make these texts accessible, they represent one person's interpretation. Without properly exploring these texts (which includes examining the original Tamil), we risk accepting a single perspective potentially with mistranslations or biases, as the complete truth, missing the deeper insights Tamil heritage has to offer.
The Solution
A dedicated space for:
Comparison, Dissection, and Discussion.
The Tamil Literature Study Group is a space for the Tamil diaspora to actively compare translations, discuss nuances, dissect meanings from the original Tamil text, and question their modern-day relevance. No need to have an advanced Tamil knowledge, just curiosity and willingness to learn. Together, we form a clearer picture of Tamil heritage, how ancient Tamils lived and whether these philosophies have a place in our lives today.
Who This Is For
Anyone with basic Tamil reading skills (you can identify letters and look up words in a dictionary) who wants to engage with a dedicated group to explore Tamil literature and heritage.
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No advanced Tamil required, just curiosity and participation for 6 weeks. Learning resources and material will be provided.
What We're Exploring This Year
Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural and Avvaiyar's Nalvazhi
Over 6 weeks, we'll explore themes including:
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Week 1: Tamil Heritage, Literature, Thiruvalluar and Avvaiyar
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Week 2: Values and Defining Principles
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Week 3: Community and Nation
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Week 4: Self-Mastery
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Week 5: Health and Balanced Living
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Week 6: Love, Relationships, and Family
All materials and resources provided. Discussion will be in English.
Ready to start exploring Tamil Literature?
"The group was so engaged and it was so fun to be a part of something so centered around learning and thinking about language creatively together. The organizers clearly put a lot of effort into curating a lovely experience for all of us with so many resources to support our learning."​​
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-Y.S., United States of America
"During my school days, I was told to memorize the kural and learn it just for marks. This literature study group gave me a different perspective of how Tamil people perceive life and more..."
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-Abinaya K, India
Ready to start exploring Tamil Literature?
Join a Session
6 weeks of guided exploration with limited participants for meaningful discussion.
Session 1: Starting Saturday Feb 7 - Mar 14 2026
10:00 AM Toronto/New York
3:00 PM London
4:00 PM Paris/Frankfurt
8:30 PM India
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Session 2: Starting Saturday Feb 7 - Mar 21 2026
No session Feb 14/15
8:00 PM Toronto/New York
5:00 PM Los Angeles/Vancouver
6:30 AM Sunday India
9:00 AM Sunday Singapore / Malaysia
12:00 PM Sunday Melbourne
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Session 3: Starting Saturday Mar 7 - Apr 18 2026
No session Apr 4
1:00 PM Toronto/New York
10:00 AM Los Angeles/Vancouver
6:00 PM London
7:00 PM Paris/Frankfurt
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What Past Participants Say
The Thirukural Study Group came at the perfect time when I was looking to deepen my relationship to Tamil, practice my reading, and learn more about Tamil history and culture. The group was so engaged and it was so fun to be a part of something so centered around learning and thinking about language creatively together. The organizers clearly put a lot of effort into curating a lovely experience for all of us with so many resources to support our learning. Looking forward to joining again in the future:)​
-Y.S., United States of America
To be honest, even after one class, I got the confidence to decode Thirukkural and look up for meanings to self analyse the different meanings for the same kural. The discussions among peers about the kurals opened up for more insights and I appreciate Ms.Kasthuree for taking the class forward as per the interest of the participants- either decoding and understanding the tamil meaning or discussing the kural . Six classes were well spent on discussions, decoding, and getting to know other like minded participants. I would highly recommend these sessions for anyone who is interested in learning about Thirukkural as a first step. Knowledge of some tamil is encouraged for the decoding part but it is not required if you want to just discuss the kurals. Kudos to Ms.Kasthuree for taking Tamil culture forward to the future generations!!!
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-Padma Ravindran, United States of America
During my school days, I was told to memorize the kural and learn it just for marks. This literature study group gave me a different perspective of how Tamil people perceive life and more through Thirukural with like minded people. I was able to open up myself and express my thoughts, it was a collaborative effort among my peers in the group and a safe space for us to express yourselves. I will cherish this memory for my whole life
​-Abinaya K, India
Kasthuree and Krishnapriya led this class through impressive translations of kurals and thoughtful, intimate discussions of ancient thamizh culture. It was a pleasure to be a part of this study group and I feel so grateful to have been able to learn and share the love of thamizh culture with like-minded people! Thank you so much for your classes. I truly loved it!
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-Aarabi B, Canada
What You Missed in Tamil Class's study group was such a positive space where I was able to connect and interact with a community of like-minded Tamil folk. The set up of the sessions allowed for it to be a true space of collaboration where we were all able to share our thoughts and associations with Kurals to come up with meanings together. Don't expect this to be a class where you are talked at; this is truly a study group where your participation matters. In a more relaxed yet effective way, these sessions gave me the skills and confidence to try to decipher Kurals on my own in the future, all while reducing the stress around starting something unknown.
-Vinutha Venkatesh, United States of America
I remember my experience in WYMITC’s Thirukkural Study Group with a lot of fondness. Not only was it an opportunity to connect with a revered cultural artifact from my roots, it was a place to connect with others who shared the same desire to learn about the Tamil way of life. Like travelling with friends, we uncovered amusing, thought-provoking, surprisingly relatable, puzzling (or sometimes slightly contradictory!) passages of the Thirukkural as a group of equally confused but eager participants. I think we were all pleasantly surprised to discover just how relevant the kurals were to our own lived experiences which led to lots of sharing, deep conversations, and all the feels. It was good times :)
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-Sahana Radhaharan, Canada
I loved our weekly Thirukkural study and discussion. It was super chill and informative — not only in the kurals themselves but in the different perspectives people brought to the table from around the world on interpreting what Thiruvalluvar mused upon all those years ago... It was a fun talking point with other Tamils and I felt a little wiser upon leaving each session
-Ahrreby A, Canada
Ready to explore Tamil Literature?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will the classes be recorded, incase I miss a week?
Yes, recordings can be accessed upon request if you miss a week. We highly recommend attending every week for the best learning experience.
Is there a lot of work outside of class?
No! Everyone will be asked to read selected 2-4 lined poems before sessions to help with our discussions, this would take around 30 mins.
Is this a lecture style class?
No. The whole point of this group is for self-discovery. Collaboration and discussion are key to the study group.
How much Tamil knowledge do you need to join?
The Tamil diaspora have varying Tamil education backgrounds. This study group was designed keeping this in mind.
If you have exposure to written or formal Tamil (Tamil heard in news, radio, speeches, books etc.) You can join.
We ask you have at least a minimum knowledge of basic Tamil reading skills as you will look up Tamil words in the dictionary. Advanced knowledge in writing, or speaking is not required as we will conduct sessions in English for accessibility.
How long are the sessions?
Each session runs for two hours over six weeks.
What texts are you studying this year?
This year we will be exploring Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural and Avvaiyar's Nalvazhi for perspectives from both male and female poets as well as from different time periods.
Are there other dates available for the study group?
These are the three times sessions will run in 2026. If the study group is sold out, or you wish to join a future study group join the mailing list below.
Ready to explore Tamil Literature?
Still got Questions? Email whatyoumissedintamilclass@gmail.com
Can't join this time around?
Get notified when the next batch of sessions start!