In my earlier post, when I wrote that Thiruvalluvar lived 2100 years ago, a few of you corrected me about the period, I was off by a few centuries - he lived even earlier - probably 2500 years ago. Whilst I leave it to the good scholars to research and debate about his age - I accept whatever the results will be, as this will not change my bewilderment on the applicability of the penned thoughts to this age.
It appears even in the days of Thiruvalluvar (which is now agreed with my blogmates to be between 2100 years and 2500 years), meetings and conferences of learned people were held. Thiruvalluvar has written 3 chapters (30 couplets), giving guidelines for speakers who address meetings, which holds good even today in our corporate lives.
Solvanmai (Eloquence), Avai Aridhal (To know the audience) and Avai Anjaamai (How not to fear the assembly) are the 3 chapters.
Kural 643
Kaetar Pinikum Thagayevaai Kelaarum
Vet Mozhivathaam Sol
It is eloquence that attracts and binds the minds of the listeners and holds them in rapt attention, in such a way that even the people who are antagonistic will show desire to listen to the speech.
Kural 649 is about being relevant, short and sweet.
PalaSol Kamuruvar Manra Masatra
SilaSollal Thetratha Avar
Those who are not deft in their thoughts, will use instead of few crisp words in a clear manner, verbose and bombastic words in their speech.
Further in the next kural, Thiruvallur says the speech of the people who are not to the point in delivering what they have learned is "like a bunch of blossoms without any fragrance".
Enairuzhunthu Naara Malaranaiyar Katrathu
Unara Virithuuraiyatha Aar.
How relevant, my meeting in the coming week will be based on these learnings !
It appears even in the days of Thiruvalluvar (which is now agreed with my blogmates to be between 2100 years and 2500 years), meetings and conferences of learned people were held. Thiruvalluvar has written 3 chapters (30 couplets), giving guidelines for speakers who address meetings, which holds good even today in our corporate lives.
Solvanmai (Eloquence), Avai Aridhal (To know the audience) and Avai Anjaamai (How not to fear the assembly) are the 3 chapters.
Kural 643
Kaetar Pinikum Thagayevaai Kelaarum
Vet Mozhivathaam Sol
It is eloquence that attracts and binds the minds of the listeners and holds them in rapt attention, in such a way that even the people who are antagonistic will show desire to listen to the speech.
Kural 649 is about being relevant, short and sweet.
PalaSol Kamuruvar Manra Masatra
SilaSollal Thetratha Avar
Those who are not deft in their thoughts, will use instead of few crisp words in a clear manner, verbose and bombastic words in their speech.
Further in the next kural, Thiruvallur says the speech of the people who are not to the point in delivering what they have learned is "like a bunch of blossoms without any fragrance".
Enairuzhunthu Naara Malaranaiyar Katrathu
Unara Virithuuraiyatha Aar.
How relevant, my meeting in the coming week will be based on these learnings !
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