தமிழில்

தமிழில் காண

Wishes From Scholars

Greetings to Dravida Pozhil | From the Chancellor of PMIST (Deemed University)

We are immensely glad on the advent of Dravida Pozhil (Journal of Dravidian Studies) as it blooms into a quarterly research journal, published by the Center of Excellence for Periyar Thought - Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University).

Academic Research is the key component that distinguishes a University from regular colleges.

A University is a great laboratory for academic research. That’s why the Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology (PMIST) enshrines in its logo, the keywords: “Think, Innovate, Transform”. Studies in Research should be the seedlings for Intellectual Development. They should facilitate a fertile field for wholesome and constructive innovation. Research should serve as a catalyst in the above goals, and that’s the reason we spearhead such academic efforts like Dravida Pozhil.

The name: Dravida Pozhil is very apt! As the ageless wisdom of Thirukkural sings: “The world relishes the intellect of the truly wise, like when water fills the lake for the village supplies”, Dravida Pozhil is proud to have on its Board of Editors, Scholars from both International and Indian Academia, and reputed social enthusiasts.

World’s richest civilizations and cultures are explored by archaeology and the resulting knowledge is shared with the populace. Similarly, the explorations of Dravida Pozhil will benefit the student and teaching communities and will serve a sumptuous meal to the seekers of knowledge.

Dr. Robert Caldwell in his scholarly work: ‘A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian Family of Languages’ details in the introductory sub-section: ‘Use of the Common Term – Dravidian’ as follows:

“I have designated the languages now to be subjected to comparison, by a common term, because of the essential and distinctive grammatical characteristics which they all possess in common, and in virtue of which, joined to the possession in common of a large number of roots of primary importance, they justly claim to be considered as springing from a common origin, and as forming a distinct family of tongues.

But though Tamil is probably the oldest and most highly cultivated member of the family, and that which contains the largest proportion of the family inheritance of forms and roots; yet as it is, after all, but one dialect out of several, and does not claim to be the original speech out of which the other dialects have been derived; as it is also desirable to reserve the terms 'Tamil' and 'Tamilian' (sometimes to be erroneously written 'Tamul' and 'Tamul-ian') to denote the Tamil language itself, and the people by whom it is spoken, I have preferred to designate this entire family, by a term, which is capable of a wider application.

The word I have chosen is 'Dravidian' from Drâvida, the adjectival form of Dravida.

This term, it is true, has sometimes been used, and is still sometimes used, in almost as restricted a sense as that of Tamil itself, so that though on the whole, it is the best term I can find, I admit that it is not perfectly free from ambiguity. It is a term, however, which has already been used, more or less distinctively by Sanskrit philologists, as a generic appellation for the South Indian peoples and their languages, and it is the only single term, they seem ever to have used in this manner. I have, therefore, no doubt of the propriety of adopting it.

Manu says (x. 43, 44) : "The following tribes of Kshatriyas have gradually sunk into the state of Vrishalas (outcasts), from the extinction of sacred rites, and from having no communication with Brâhmans, viz. — Paundrakas, Odras, Dravidas, Kâmbojas, Yavanas, S'akas … Pâradas, Pahlavas, Chinas, Kirâtas, Daradas, and Khasas”. Of the tribes here mentioned, the only tribe belonging to Southern India, is that of the Dravidas. This name, therefore, appears to have been supposed to denote the whole of the South Indian tribes.

The same statement is made in the Maha-bhârata; and in the two lists of degraded Kshatriyas therein given, the Dravidas are the only South Indian tribe mentioned. It must be concluded, therefore, that the term is generically used, seeing that the more specific names of Pândyas, Cholas, & c., had become well known in Northern India by that time. Doubtless it is, in the same sense that Satyavrata, the Indian Noah, is called in the Bhâgavata Purana 'the lord of Dravida' (Muir's "Sanskrit Texts," vol. i.) The more distinctively philological writers of a later period, used the term Dravida in what appears to be substantially the same sense, as that in which I propose that it should be used.

The principal Prakrits — that is, colloquial dialects — of ancient India were the Maha-râshtri, the Sauraseni, and the Mâgadhi. Amongst minor or less known Prakrit dialects, the Drâvidi, or language of the Dravidas, was included. A Sanskrit philologist quoted by Muir (vol. ii. 46) speaks of the language of Dravida as a vibhâsha, or minor Prakrit; and another (p. 50) speaks of 'the language proper to Dravidas' (in which persons of that race should be represented, as speaking in dramas) as the Dravidi. It is evident that we have here to understand, not the Tamil alone, or any other South Indian language alone, but the Dravidian languages generally, supposed in a vague manner by North Indian writers, to constitute only one tongue.

The only property these languages can have possessed in common, must have been the contempt in which they were held by Brahman philologists, in virtue of which, it must have been that, they were styled also Paisachi, the language of pisâchas, or demons. The more accurate term Dravidi, has continued to be used occasionally by northern scholars up to our own time. As late as 1854, the learned HindU philologist Babu Bajendra Lâl Mitra, speaks of the 'Dravidi' as one of the recognized Prakrits, equally with the Sauraseni, and as being, like it - the parent of some of the present vernaculars of India. It thus appears that the word 'Drâvida' from which the term *Dravidian* has been formed, as equivalent to Tamil, is better fitted, notwithstanding for use as a generic term”. Comparative Grammar, Pages (4-7).

The ‘Revolutionary Poet’ Bharathidasan was not only a poet, but in addition, an erudite Tamil scholar and researcher, highly proficient in Literature and Grammar. In his magazine ‘Kuyil’, he wrote on the Topic ‘Dravidam’ (kural 1, isai 7, dated 15.07.1958), which sheds more light on the Dravidian context.

“The word Dravidam, is an exonym of the word Tamizham, and hence, is a Tamil word. It is not an Aryan word. Let us reproduce some poems (veNpaas) that I have written on many occasions, below.

In Pali there arose the Mahavamsa book,
A detail from there – Lofty we took,
Thamizh? Is it Tamil? They asked; They can’t.
It’s the non-native tongue’s rant!

The Teacher Ptolemy called Tamilnadu thence,
Tamirici in those days, why? – Nonnative sense!
Hence dear friend, do realize in their mounds,
Our words do change some sounds.

Thamizh in Purana Matsya was sounded like
Tramil, can you see? – Dear Tamizha alike,
They call padi as prathi, that northern tongue.
But do we doubt, our own rung?

Thamizh grows as Tamirici and yonder beyond,
TramiL, Tramil, Tamil – Can you see it spawned?
They are still Thamizh, but those tongues refill.
Tamizh kingdom not affected still.

Changed tongues are yet, still Tamil tongues!
River or Canal – flows the same water young!
Even our folks call pazham, payam or palam;
It’s all just the tongue’s scram.

With the anecdotes above, hey, can you see,
Tamizh got tongued as Dravidam – agree!
Dravidam, even if tongued different and spun
Dravidam or Tamizh is Non-Aryan!

Betwixt south Kumari Pahruli and north Venkatam,
Well defined home land – the great Tamizh flam,
Contains many many wealth, flourishingly warm
With Tamizh names and form!

Dravidian is not Aryan, No, Definitely not!
Dravidian is tongued – Tamizh only ought!
Did Aryans, they name our happy Tamizh land?
No! Tamizh or Dravidam, is our sand!

Dravidam is Tamizham, it’s dance of the tongue.
Dravidam is Not Aryam, be assured – oh young.
The Victory of Dravidam is the Victory of Tamil!
Synonymous are both, they will!

Dravidam is not, some other foreign stealth!
Dravidam is our own, Chen Tamizh wealth!
Ancient those days, All things ours with glee
Names denoting us, you see!”

(Kuyil 1958 – “Dravidam” – Vantavar moḻiyā? Centamiḻ celvamā?
Poem by Paavendhar Bharathidasan. Translation: Dr. Kannabiran Ravishankar)

Hence the Tamizh-Dravidam conundrum picked by a few and poked by a few, will be cured by Bharathidasan’s very own words of wisdom. And hence, both on the historical front and on the native Tamizh front, Dravida Pozhil is a very appropriate name for this Research Journal.

Prof. Dr. Gilbert Slater served in the University of Madras during 1915 as a faculty in Indian Economy. On retirement, he was awarded at the prestigious Oxford University. His famous work was: ‘The Dravidian Element in Indian Culture’ published in 1923. The word ‘Dravidian’ finds a key place in such deeply researched papers and departmental field studies in the global academia.

The ancient Indus Valley Civilization is hailed as ‘Dravidian’ by world scholars. The Spanish scholar and historian - Fr. Henry Heras (Enrique Heras de Sicars) visited Annamalai University and delivered a research lecture on the Dravidian component in Indus Valley. This was aptly recorded in the book – Dravida Iyakka Varalaaru (History of the Dravidian Movement Vol 1, Pg. 101-102) by Dr. (Navalar) Nedunchezhiyan, who was a student then, at the very same Annamalai University, and later rose to the ranks of Hon’ble Minister of Education in the Govt. of Tamilnadu. Excerpts from the book, below.

“Dravidian Civilization by Fr. Heras: In the dual mission of religious service and historical research, Fr. Henry Heras from Spain visited India, Tamilnadu in particular, and delivered a lecture series on Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) at the Annamalai University, where I was studying for my Hons. Degree. He was emphasizing that: IVC was essentially Dravidian, and the seals and hieroglyphs at IVC, bear witness to the antiquity of Tamil. Many facets of IVC got expanded to Mesopotamian, Arabian, Egyptian, Babylonian, Greece, Rome and other civilizations and also influenced his home-country Spain, and other European nations. I took a lot of notes from his lecture. On the last day of the series, he concluded stating that: Hitherto the speaker who spoke, was not Heras from Spain, but a Dravidian from Spain! And lo, there was a thunderous applause from Professors and Students in the audience.

The next day, I met him at the guest house, felicitated him with a Sangam Literature book and asked him for an autograph, with the very same words that he had spoken the previous day. He was pleased and gifted me his autograph as: “I, the undersigned, am a Dravidian from Spain”. Thus, many Civilizations of the world have been influenced by the Dravidian Civilization, as Fr. Heras affirms“.

We have chosen the academically apt word ‘Dravidam’ for our research journal – Dravida Pozhil being published by our deemed University – PMIST, Center of Excellence for Periyar Thought. The antiquity of Language, Civilization, Culture, Heritage & Philosophy of Tamil, enshrines the word Dravidam.

The prolific research scholar on Indus Valley Civilization – R. Balakrishnan, IAS (retd.) delivered a lecture on 04.02.2011, as a part of Prof. Malcolm Adiseshiah memorial lecture series, at the International Institute of Tamil Studies on the topic: ‘Indus Valley Civilization and Sangam Literature’. Excerpts below.

“… Whereas, the Dravidian people of South India, especially the Tamil people of Sangam Age, also had their ancient roots in the Indus Valley Civilization, and we have an intensive research basis for those foundations. Yet, the geographical gap between the lands, and the time gap between the cultures, provide a challenge to that research. Those who could not accept the Dravidian theory, only place this gap, as their argument. The great scholar Dr. Iravatham Mahadevan, who was fully supportive of the Dravidian theory, had also referred to this gap at one point of time.

The Natives of the North and Central Dravidian languages were inherently closer to the Indus Valley, on a geographically comparative basis, yet they differ on a culturally comparative mode. At the same time, the South Indian civilization which flourished in the Sanga Tamil classical age, exhibits close resemblance to the Indus Valley civilization. We need to reconcile these differences via newer empirical data, and that is the challenge before the Indian Research and Academia”.

Dravida Pozhil – Journal of Dravidian Studies will undertake such scholarly research and attempt to find more answers to academic challenges. I offer my wholehearted greetings in this initiative.

Research should be free from fear or favour, and should be using scientific techniques, focusing more on empirical than anecdotal evidence, and be data based. That will usher in the light of education.

“Dravida Nal Thirunaadum” is the phrase in the Tamizh Thaai Vaazthu (Tamilnadu State Anthem) compiled from the Poem of Manonmaniyam Sundaranar. Nobel Laureate and the Master Poet, Dr. Rabindranath Tagore of Bengal, has also included the same phrase, “Dravida Utkala Banga” in his poem Jana Gana Mana, which is sung today, as the National Anthem of India.

Thus, in both the State & National Anthems, the word ‘Dravidam’ finds a place of respect. Everyone stands up in salutation when both the anthems are sung. In any government function, both at the start and the end of the event, people arise in attention, twice - for the word ‘Dravidam’ - with fondness and respect.

That word: Dravidam, is both a civilization and a philosophy, and that word: Dravidam, is now blossoming as Dravida Pozhil (Journal of Dravidian Studies). May it usher a green revolution in the academic field, satiating the taste buds of scholars, and quenching their thirst for knowledge. I wholeheartedly wish success to the scholar community, board of editors and the team of Dravida Pozhil.

May the knowledge - pour, pour and pour!
May the truth - flow, flow and flow!

- K. Veeramani
Chancellor
Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science and Technology
(Deemed to be University)

BIBLIOGRAPHY :

  • 1. Dr. Robert Caldwell, A Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages - Harrison: London, 1856.
  • 2. Bharathidasan, Vantavar moḻiyā? Centamiḻ celvamā? – Kuyil (kural 1, isai 7), dated 15.07.1958
  • 3. Gilbert Slater, The Dravidian Element in Indian Culture - University of Michigan, 1982
  • 4. Dr. R. Nedunchezhiyan, Dravida Iyakka Varalaaru
  • 5. R. Balakrishnan, Indus Valley Civilization and Sangam Literature - 04.02.2011, Prof. Malcolm Adiseshiah memorial lecture series.

Greetings to Dravida Pozhil | From Prof. Sascha Ebeling, University of Chicago

Chicago, 30 December 2020

Dear Editors of Dravida Pozhil,

The founding of a new research journal is always a cause for celebration. But the birth of Dravida Pozhil is particularly momentous. International in scope and with high scholarly ambitions this new journal will be welcomed and read with great interest by Tamil scholars around the world. The first issue presents the reader with a wide range of themes that will doubtless resonate with a wide audience. I am sending my congratulations and gratitude to the editorial board for undertaking this service to the community of all of us interested in all things Tamil: Your effort and dedication will make an enormous difference!

I wish Dravida Pozhil every success. May it flourish for many years to come and uphold the highest scholarly standards in bringing new original research to readers everywhere and to the many worlds of Tamil culture today.

With gratitude and with all best wishes,

- Sascha Ebeling
Department of South Asian Languages and Civilizations
Department of Comparative Literature, and the College
Deputy Dean, Division of the Humanities
The University of Chicago
ebeling@uchicago.edu

ஆற்றல் வாய்ந்த ஆசிரியர் பெருந்தகைக்கு வணக்கம் | From Dr. Avvai Natarajan

இனத்தால் திராவிடன் -
மொழியால் தமிழன் -
தரணியில் தன்மானம் கொண்ட மனிதன்
என்ற முழக்கத்தைக் கேட்டு

மதியிழந்தவரும் - மருள்பவரும்
எறும்புக்கூட்டமாக
ஊர்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள் .

" திராவிடப் பொழில் "

என்பது
காலத்துக்கு வேண்டிய கைவாள் .
எழுச்சிக்கு வேண்டிய தூண்டுகோல்.

உலகுக்குத் திராவிடத்தை உணர்த்த
பகுத்தறிவுப் பண்ணையில்
மலரும் " திராவிடப் பொழிலின் " மணம்
திசையெட்டும் பரவுமாக !

ஆசிரியர் தொடங்குவது எதுவும்
வரலாற்றுக்கு வாழ்வு தருவதாகும் .

இனமானத்துக்கு உரமூட்டுவதாகும்

அன்போடு
ஒளவை நடராசன்
சென்னை
5 - 1 - 2021.

திராவிடப் பொழில் வெல்க! | From Prof. Dr. Maraimalai Ilakkuvanar

கூரிய மதியும் பல்கலைச் சிறப்பும்
சீரிய தமிழின் செம்மொழிப் பண்பும்
நேரிய துணையாய்த் திகழ்ந்ததால் தமிழினம்
சூரிய ஒளிபோல் சுடர்பெற் றிருந்தது. (01)

ஆயிர மாயிரம் ஆண்டுகள் சென்றன;
ஆரியர் நுழைந்ததும் அவரது சூழ்ச்சியால்
மொழியில் கலப்பும் சாதிப் பிரிவும்
பழிபல விளைத்தன;அழிவில் தள்ளின; (02)

“நூலோர் மேலோர்! தமிழர் கீழோர்!
வந்தவர் வடமொழி தெய்வ மொழியாம்!
செந்தமிழ் மொழியோ ஏவலர் மொழியாம்!”
என்றெலாம் தமிழரை நம்பச் செய்தனர்; (03)

விதியின் வலிமை பெரிதெனக் கூறி
வீரத் தமிழரைக் கோழை யாக்கினர்;
வாள்பிடித் தாண்ட தமிழர் பிறரின்
தாள்பிடித் திடும்வகை தாழ்வுற்றனரே! (04)

தொல்காப் பியரெனும் பல்கலை அறிஞரும்
வாழ்வியல் வகுத்த வள்ளுவச் செம்மலும்
விழிப்புணர் வுறவே வழிவகுத் தனரே!
தமிழரோ உறங்கிப் பழிமிகுத் தனரே! (05)

புலவர் பலரும் சித்தர் பலரும்
அவ்வப் பொழுதில் பகர்ந்த போதிலும்
மதியிலாத் தமிழர் மயக்கம் தெளிந்திலர்!
விதியின் சதியும் வீணர் புரட்டும்
அதிரடி யாகவே அறிவுறுத் திடவே
பெரியார் தோன்றினார் இயக்கம் கண்டார்
திராவிட எழுச்சி உதயம் ஆனதே! (06)

மொழியும் இனமும் முதன்மை என்றே
கிளர்ச்சி மலர்ச்சி புரட்சி விளைந்ததே!
பெரியார் தந்த இயக்கம் தமிழர்க்கு
உலகில் முதன்மை பெறும்நிலை அளித்ததே! (07)

திராவிடப் பொழிலாய் விளங்கிடும் தமிழகம்
பராவிடும் சிறப்புடன் பாரில் உயர்ந்தே! (08)

மீண்டும் சூழ்ச்சியைத் தூண்டும் பகைவர்
புழைக்கடை வழியில் நுழைந்திடா வண்ணம்
பெரியார் நெறியில் உழைத்திடும் சிறப்புறு
நண்பர் பலரது நயத்தகு உழைப்பால்
திராவிடப் பொழில் தோன்றி யதின்றே! (09)

அறிஞர் அனைவரும் ஆய்வுரை வழங்குக!
ஆர்வலர் அனைவரும் பொழில்நலன் துய்ப்பீர்!
படிப்பதும் படித்ததை ஆய்ந்து வாதிடுவதும்
எப்பொருள் கேட்பினும் மெய்ப்பொருள் காண்பதும்
பகுத்தறி வாளர் செயல்முறை யன்றோ? (10)

வாரீர் அன்பரே வையகம் பயனுறப்
படிப்போம் பகிர்வோம் இதழை வளர்ப்போம்! (11)

Greetings to Dravida Pozhil | From Dr. Vedagiri Shanmugasundaram

06 January 2020

The creation of a journal in an academic body is an event to celebrate. I am delighted to greet the Founder Chancellor Dr K.Veeramani and the Vice Chancellor Dr S.Velusami of Periyar Maniammai University on this occasion of launching Dravidian Pozil,- Journal of Dravidian Studies, an academic periodical in English, which is the widely worldwide spoken language of Science, Humanities, Airways and Space. And Tamil is the oldest and richest continuously spoken classical language in the world

The study of Dravidian origins takes us to the age Indus valley civilization. Historians have recorded that the cultivation of Rice originated in the Vaigai River basin of Madurai and the Tamil world “arisi” - Rice entered the Greek language from Dravidian India. The global trade relations and ocean navigation, were some of early achievements of the early halcyon days Dravidian era when links with the prosperous Roman Empire were remarkable.

Conveying as I do now, my best wishes to the Editorial Team and all the academics of Periyar Maniammai University, may I suggest that a serial may be initiated and titled, Chancellor Dr K.Veeramani Desk ,in which extracts from the vast and well documented Dravidian Literature penned by him may be reported. His address in the British Parliament – House of Commons may be chosen. And many stalwarts have left a rich heritage which could heighten the academic worth of the Dravidian Pozhil.

I wish the new journal global reach.

- Vedagiri Shanmugasundaram,
First Vice Chancellor,Manonmaniam Sundaranar University;
Director, IASR,Chennai.600 102.