BRICS 2026: PM Modi Highlights Tamil Culture at BRICS Summit; Tirukkural and Ramanathaswamy Temple Draw Attention

Source: Namasthe Telangana | Original Published At: 2026-09-12 16:29:45 UTC

Key Points

• At the BRICS 2026 summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted a new approach to showcase India's regional diversity to visiting leaders and delegates.
• Modi presented the ancient Tamil classic Tirukkural to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it could strengthen ties and serve as a bridge between peoples.
• The article notes that some Russians read and translated the Tirukkural as early as the 17th century and that Leo Tolstoy reportedly engaged with the text in the 19th century.
• Modi highlighted the Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram on a digital screen at the summit, presenting it as an example of India's spiritual and sculptural heritage.
• The temple is described as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, linked to the Ramayana, and known for granite pillars, sacred tanks, and pilgrimage significance.