Kural Theni Rules 2026
Competition Overview
Pronunciation: Kids growing up in North America often speak Anglicized Tamil. While we do not encourage Anglicized Tamil and strongly promote proper Tamil pronunciation, the competition will focus primarily on the correctness of the Thirukkural and its meaning to ensure fairness for all participants. Pronunciation will not be used as a judging criterion. However, special prizes will be awarded in the Finals for Best Tamil Pronunciation.
Regionals: The Regional round is conducted as a Thirukkural Recital round, where participants recite the Kurals in sequence according to their category list. For example, an Arumbugal participant may recite up to 35 Kurals from their assigned list. Marks are awarded only for fully correct recital. If even a single word is incorrect, the Kural is considered wrong.
Zonals: The Zonal round is a Question-and-Answer round based on the assigned Thirukkurals.
Quarter Finals: The Quarter Finals are Analytical rounds where participants provide in-depth explanations of the Kurals.
Semi Finals: The Semi Finals focus on Creativity and Public Speaking. Participants must create a real-life–based story in Tamil and present it along with the meaning and their interpretation of the Kurals. A strict time limit will be enforced.
Finals: The Finals combine all major aspects of Thirukkural learning and expression. Participants will take part in all rounds, and each round will be scored. Total cumulative score will determine the winners. There are no knock-out eliminations in the Finals.
Regionals
Arumbugal – Group Round: Recital (35 Kurals)
Recite memorized Kurals.
If a student pauses for more than 10 seconds, the judge may provide only the first word as a prompt, with no penalty.
Recital list must be submitted on or before March 8, 2026.
Advancement: Score-based selection
Mottugal – Group Round: Recital (70 Kurals)
Recite memorized Kurals.
If a student pauses for more than 10 seconds, the judge may provide only the first word as a prompt, with no penalty.
Recital list must be submitted on or before March 8, 2026.
Advancement: Score-based selection
Malargal – Group Round: Recital (100 Kurals)
Recite memorized Kurals.
If a student pauses for more than 10 seconds, the judge may provide only the first word as a prompt, with no penalty.
Recital list must be submitted on or before March 8, 2026.
Advancement: Score-based selection
Zonals
Arumbugal – Group Round: Oral Q&A
Answer meaning-based questions from the Kurals assigned for the category.
Recite a Thirukkural based on a given Adhigaram, or identify the Adhigaram when the Kural is given.
Explain the meaning of a given Thirukkural, or identify the Thirukkural from its meaning.
Bonus points are awarded for demonstrating true understanding rather than mere memorization.
5 – 10 questions will be asked.
Advancement: Score-based selection
Mottugal – Group Round: Oral Q&A
Answer meaning-based questions from the Kurals assigned for the category.
Recite a Thirukkural based on a given Adhigaram, or identify the Adhigaram when the Kural is given.
Explain the meaning of a given Thirukkural, or identify the Thirukkural from its meaning.
Bonus points are awarded for demonstrating true understanding rather than mere memorization.
5 – 10 questions will be asked.
Advancement: Score-based selection
Malargal – Group Round: Oral Q&A
Answer meaning-based questions from the Kurals assigned for the category.
Recite a Thirukkural based on a given Adhigaram, or identify the Adhigaram when the Kural is given.
Explain the meaning of a given Thirukkural, or identify the Thirukkural from its meaning.
Bonus points are awarded for demonstrating true understanding rather than mere memorization.
5 – 10 questions will be asked.
Advancement: Score-based selection
Quarter Finals
Arumbugal – 1-1 Oral Analytical / Exploratory Questions
The Quarter Finals focus entirely on the meanings of Kurals from the published list.
Students should be prepared to interpret meanings in depth.
Questions may follow any format listed (fill-in-the-blanks, meaning identification, match-the-pairs, true/false).
Number of questions: 5 – 10
Advancement: Score-based selection
Mottugal – 1-1 Oral Analytical / Exploratory Questions
The Quarter Finals focus entirely on the meanings of Kurals from the published list.
Students should be prepared to interpret meanings in depth.
Questions may follow any format listed (fill-in-the-blanks, meaning identification, match-the-pairs, true/false).
Number of questions: 5 – 10
Advancement: Score-based selection
Malargal – 1-1 Oral Analytical / Exploratory Questions
The Quarter Finals focus entirely on the meanings of Kurals from the published list.
Students should be prepared to interpret meanings in depth.
Questions may follow any format listed (fill-in-the-blanks, meaning identification, match-the-pairs, true/false).
Number of questions: 5 – 10
Advancement: Score-based selection
Semi Finals
Arumbugal – Group Round: Story Creation / Presentation
Create real-life stories based on Kurals.
Present 2 Kurals in depth, each from a different Adhigaram, in Tamil only.
Time limit: 5–7 minutes for each Kural presentation.
Presentation file format will be provided.
Presentation file must be submitted for approval on or before May 11, 2026 (earlier submission recommended to avoid last-minute issues).
Advancement: Best-quality stories advance
Mottugal – Group Round: Story Creation / Presentation
Create real-life stories based on Kurals.
Present 3 Kurals in depth, each from a different Adhigaram, in Tamil only.
Time limit: 5–7 minutes for each Kural presentation.
Presentation file format will be provided.
Presentation file must be submitted for approval on or before May 11, 2026 (earlier submission recommended to avoid last-minute issues).
Advancement: Best-quality stories advance
Malargal – Group Round: Story Creation / Presentation
Create real-life stories based on Kurals.
Present 5 Kurals in depth, each from a different Adhigaram, in Tamil only.
Time limit: 5–7 minutes for each Kural presentation.
Presentation file format will be provided.
Presentation file must be submitted for approval on or before May 11, 2026 (earlier submission recommended to avoid last-minute issues).
Advancement: Best-quality stories advance
Finals
Additional Kurals will be given for Finals
Arumbugal – In-Person Combination Round (Total 70 Kurals)
Round 1: Kurals Recital – Additional 35 Kurals. So, Total 70 Kurals
Round 2: Meaning-based questions / Questions about Thiruvalluvar / Scenario-based questions
Round 3 (optional): Participants may recite additional Kurals beyond the initial 70, but only from the total list of 150, for tie-breaking.
Advancement: Selection based on total score from all rounds
Mottugal – In-Person Combination Round (Total 110 Kurals)
Round 1: Kurals Recital – Additional 40 Kurals. So, Total 110 Kurals
Round 2: Meaning-based questions / Questions about Thiruvalluvar / Scenario-based questions
Round 3 (optional): Participants may recite additional Kurals beyond the initial 100, but only from the total list of 150, for tie-breaking.
Advancement: Selection based on total score from all rounds
Malargal – In-Person Combination Round (Total 150 Kurals)
Round 1: Kurals Recital – Additional 50 Kurals. So, Total 150 Kurals
Round 2: Meaning-based questions / Questions about Thiruvalluvar / Scenario-based questions
Advancement: Selection based on total score from all rounds
