In the compound word “takaiyavāy”, the “avāy” means “avāvi”. This is Graul’s method. But Pope feels “takaiyāy” (āki) is better (Kuraḷ No. 643).

Graul has also translated the third book of the Kuraḷ. His work Pope feels has superseded Beschi’s translation occasionally. His Latin translation has shown to Westerners that there is apart from Beschi’s version another interpretation and his German rendering has taken the Tamil masterpiece to German readers also.

Ariel a French man has translated the Kuraḷ. Only parts of it have been translated into French thus taking this Tamil work to the French people. Ariel speaking on the greatness of the Kuraḷ says, “The masterpiece of Tamil literature”, the Kuraḷ is one of the highest and purest expressions of human thoughts. That which above all is wonderful in the Kuraḷ is a fact that its author addresses himself without regard to castes, peoples or beliefs to the whole community of mankind.”⁶⁰

For Kuṟaḷ 521 Ariel says, “It is in the bosom of the family that the cult of the past exists without interest whatever.”

Pope considers Ariel’s translation of the Kuṟaḷ 539 as “neat”. “Think of those who lost themselves in their carelessness when you allow yourself to be intoxicated in pleasure”.

Kuraḷ 771, Pope thinks, is a doubtful couplet and thinks that Ariel’s translation shows “a European turn of thought.” “O enemies! do not stay before me. Well (for others) who stays before me, stays under the stone.”

Ariel has rendered service to Tamil by taking one of the greatest literary works to the French people.

Rev. Dr. Drew translated the Kuraḷ into English. He rendered the couplets into English prose. John Lazarus (an Indian missionary) revised Drew’s work and published it. The first part of the work by Drew appeared in 1840 and the second in 1852.

60. Ariel, M. “A Letter to Burnoup”, “Journal Asiatic”, Nov. Dec. 1848.