RISHI -inaugural function

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SOURASHTRA HERITAGE & IMMIGRATION [RISHI] was inaugurated on 5th April 2008 at Madurai. The inaugural function was held in Mepco Mini Auditorium, in the Chamber of Commerce & Industry premises at Kamarajar Salai Madurai at 10.30 a.m.

Smt.S.P.Geetha Bharathi rendered Prayer song. Mrs. Bhavana Kamalesh Joshipura, Ex.Mayor of Rajkot, Advocate, lighted the Mangal Deepam. Dr.T.R.Damodaran, Sanskrit Professor, Sourashtra College, Madurai delivered the welcome Address. Mrs. Radha Parasuram delivered the Presidential Addresss.

Felicitation speeches were delivered by Dr.Balvant Jani, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Gujarati, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Dr.P.Zala, Dept.of English and Comparative Literature, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Dr.Kalpak Trivedi, Pro-Chancellor, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Dr.R.Suba Krishna, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore and finally the inaugural address was delivered by Dr.Kamalesh P.Joshipura, Vice Chancellor, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat. Vote of thanks was given by Sri T.L.Parasuram, Managing Trustee, RISHI.

The function came to an end after the singing of National Anthem by one and all.
Afterwards Lunch was served to all who attended the meeting.Encomiums were showered by the visiting Dignitaries on the Sourasahtras living in Tamil Nadu for preserving the Cultural Identity and Language. Nearly 1000 years of gap should be made good by deep researches undertaken by both the Scholars of Sourashtras living in Tamil Nadu and in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. For this purpose RISHI will be affiliated with Saurashtra University, Rajkot and exchange programs and conferences in both States will be conducted periodically. A Chair will be created in Saurashtra University, Rajkot exclusively for this purpose. The common features will be identified and the bondage between the people of Saurashtras of Gujarat and the Sourashtras living in other States especially in Tamil Nadu will be strengthened.

It is hoped that there is a bright future for the young scholars who want to do Research on Sourashtra Language, Literature, History, Culture etc. comparing the evidences available in both States. Sourashtra Language will be developed. Dictionaries, Grammars, Readers for teaching the language in Schools will be prepared.

SOURASHTRA SCRIPT will be made use to solve the Identity Crisis which is being noticed by the younger generation of Sourashtra Community.

UPAMANYU’S reply to K.V.Pathy.

I was told by the Managing Trustee that RISHI will use Sourashtra Script. It is to be seen whether they will tolerate the use of other scripts.

I am repeatedly emphasising that any script can be used. One should not impose his view on others. There are languages which use more than one script.

I am to contact the Scholars in Saurashtra University, Rajkot regarding their opinion.

Twice I missed my trip to Rajkot/Ahmadabad. I did meet the Vice Chancellor Dr.Kamalesh P.Joshipura on 4th night in Hotel Arthy, Madurai. I also met the other Professors Dr.Basvant Jani, Dr.P.Zala, Mrs.Bhavana Kamalesh Joshipura. I gave them my book 'Sourashtra Language, Literature and Script' my paper read in the Seminar held in Madurai by Madurai Kamaraj University and International School of Dravidian Linguistics, Trivandrum.

About 10 copies of 'Oral Literature of Saurashtrans' by Dr. Uchida Norihiko were given to Dr.T.R.Damodaran for onward transmission to the visiting Dignitaries to know our folk literature.

A copy of the catalogue of Palm Leaves and Paper manuscripts was also given to them to know what is available in our Museum and Library [which is yet to be opened]

I did not discuss the Sourashtra Script with them. But I was told by Dr.T.R.Damodaran that when they visited Rajkot, they wanted to learn the Sourashtra Script. I presume they might have thought that we are preserving our Sourashtra Language even after several centuries of our leaving the Home land, Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Similarly we are preserving our own Sourashtra Script. I think, after their deep study, they may come out with their opinion.

But it is quite natural that one is to use one's own script only instead of borrowed script.

If one argues that Devanagari is our own script, then he should explain what made Gujaratis to have their own script which is called MAHAJANI. And why T.M.Rama Rai and their followers did not use Devanagari Script for Sourashtra Language? Pros and cons can be argued. But nobody can impose his decision on others to use a particular script only.

One cannot deny the fact that Sourashtra Script will identify the Sourashtras without any difficulty. If we use Devanagari Script, then they have to break their head to decipher the language among twentytwo other languages using Devanagari.

A fine beginning is made and RISHI may bring far reaching changes in the lives of Sourashtras living in Tamil Nadu.

When we struggle hard to create a Chair for Sourashtram in Madurai Kamaraj University, the Vice Chancellor of Saurashtra University is going to create a Chair for Sourashtram spoken in Tamil Nadu once the RISHI is affiliated with Saurashtra University, Rajkot.

I myself am wondering why they were silent for such a long time. Perhaps they were waiting for the initiative by some organisation like RISHI. Even RISHI people were not much optimistic about the outcome before their maiden trip to Rajkot. They got encouraged by the eagerness shown by the Saurashtra University and hence they decided to depute another team of five people in which Thada Subramanyam and I were included; but unfortunately, due to my health problem I could not undertake the journey to Ahmadabad. Thada Subramanyam also could not visit Ahmadabad as he was tired in attending the Second Workshop on Sourashtram by CIIL which was held in Madurai from 19th March to 28th March 2008.

What CIIL, Mysore will do, that I am not aware. Dr.Suba Krishna assured that all assistance will be provided by CIIL for the development of Sourashtra language and financial assistance will be provided for the publication in Sourashtra Language. And now, after the coming in of RISHI, what Sourashtra Madhya Sabha will do? We have to wait and see.

UPAMANYU.

Will Devanagari Script suit for Sourashtram?

FOR THE KIND ATTENTION OF THE SUPPORTERS OF DEVANAGARI SCRIPT

THE FOLLOWING IS THE WRITING METHOD ADOPTED BY THE ZOOLOGY PROFESSOR R.KRISHNAMURTHY IN THE BOOK ‘MOOLA SOURASHTRAA BHAASHAA LIPI’ TO WHICH THE PRESIDENT OF THE ALL INDIA SOURASHTRA MADHYA SABHA SRI P.G.M. THULASIRAM AND THE GENERAL SECRETARY SRI E.SANTHARAM HAVE GIVEN THEIR OFFICIAL BLESSINGS.

THIS METHOD IS EXPERIMENTED BY THE PROFESSOR. YOU HAVE TO USE THIS METHOD AND COME OUT WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE AS TO WHETHER IT IS CONGENIAL FOR LEARNING HINDI AND SANSKRIT LANGUAGES APART FROM ITS SUITABILITY TO SOURASHTRA LANGUAGE.

MY PRESUMPTION IS THAT YOU WILL DEFINITELY COMMIT SPELLING MISTAKE WHILE WRITING HINDI AFTER PRACTISING WRITING SOURASHTRA LANGUAGE IN DEVANAGARI SCRIPT WITH THE VERY SIMPLE MODIFICATIONS MADE BY THE ZOOLOGY PROFESSOR.

WE SHALL SEE WHAT MODIFICATIONS HE HAS MADE TO THE EXISTING DEVANAGARI SCRIPT.

HIS VOWELS

A A [WITH A DASH OVER THE LETTER TO MARK ITS LENGTH]
I I [ -do- ]
U U [ -do- ]
E AE
AI
O O [WITH A DASH OVER THE LETTER TO MARK ITS LENGTH]
AU
AHA

He has removed the vowels ‘ru’ and ‘am’ from the list of vowels.

Note: There is no short form of ‘e’. in Devanagari script. To represent this, he has used the same letter which is meant for the lengthened form of ‘e’ with a diacritic mark.

What is read as ‘ai’ in Hindi/Devanagari, he assigns the lengthened form of ‘e’

When in Hindi, only one slanting line is written on the head of the letter ‘E’,
he writes two slanting lines on the head of the letter ‘E’ for representing ‘ai’.

The other major modification is instead of placing a slanting small stroke below the consonant,
he introduces putting a dot over the consonant to make it as a ‘consonant’
Ex. ‘ Mu mam ba ii’ is written instead of ‘mum ba ii’ for the dot over ‘mu’ is deleted and the same is placed over ‘ma’ written next to ‘mu’ and that is pronounced as ‘m’ !
You will get confused !
Let me not waste your time, for this method of writing was not appreciated in the ‘Minor Language Conference’ held at New Delhi on 24th March 2007. It was commented that instead of solving the Script problem, it will create new problem.

Flash: It was learnt that in the meeting of High Level Language Committee of All India Sourashtra Madhya Sabha held recently at Erode, it was decided to abandon the book printed by the Zoology Professor under the title ‘Moola Sourashtra Bhasha Lipi’. It goes without saying that the Professor has not obtained the consent from the members of the High Level Language Committee appointed by All India Sourashtra Madhya Sabha. Sourashtra Madhya Sabha also gave a free hand to the Professor and now they are in doldrums.

Readers ! Please note that this is not written to find fault with the zoology professor.
What is happening in the All India Sourashtra Madhya Sabha is reported.

My slogan is ‘Practise writing Sourashtram in any script you know’. I repeat that I am not against using Devanagari Script for Sourashtra Language. You can use it with suitable diacritical marks and additional signs. You should write as you pronounce. Short vowels should be properly represented.

tumi mudullo likkattak harumbam kero. teka pharaatu tumi ture anubhavam sango. Devanagarim Sourashtram likkitti phalco, Hindi kin Sanskrit bhaashaan meLLi likki savO. tevEL tunko kaay kaay tappun keraarasi menatte kaLaan avayi.

sauraaSTra lipim likkilEt avatte bheLi uttamam.

UPAMANYU.

Marathon Run by Sourashta Kid Siva Shree

1991 Census - Sourashtra Population - misguiding nomenclature.

1991 Language atlas of India – Languages specified in the 8th Schedule.

3. GUJARATI ... 40,673,814

1. Gujarati … 40,335,889
2. Gujrao/Gujrau … 46,339
3. Saurashtra/Saurashtri … 220,126
Others 71,460

16. TAMIL … 53,006,368

1. Kaikadi 21,848
2. Tamil 52,886,931
3. Yerukala/Yerukula 63,133
Others 34,456

District-wise Data Sheet of Language. [vide Page 232 Census of India, Language Atlas of India, 1991] Jayant Kumar Panthia, IAS, Registrar
General & Census Commissioner, India. Govt. of India, June 2004.

Tamil Nadu Gujarati
Total Population 55,858,946 244,921

1. Madras 25,985
2. Chengalpattu 7,467
3. North Arcot 4,082
4. Dharmapuri 324
5. Thiruvannamalai 2,609
6. South Arcot 1,132
7. Salem 22,002
8. Periyar 1,090
9. Nilgiri 373
10. Coimbatore 5,464
11. Dindigul 13,690
12. Tiruchi 7,637
13. Thanjavur 26,945
14. Pudukottai 3,951
15. P.M.Thevar 368
16. Madurai 92,381
17. Kamarajar 312
18. Ramanathapuram 19,236
19. Chidambaranar 1,079
20. Tirunelveli 6,970
21. Kanyakumari 1,824


Note on Page 30: Two mother tongues which returned 10,000 or more
Speakers at all India level are grouped under Gujarati in 1991 Census.
They are Gujarao/Gujarau and Saurashtra/Saurashtri.

Gujarati Script which is used in writing Gujarati is a cursive form of
Devanagari which was known as MAHAJANI.


CENSUS OF INDIA 1971 – CENSUS CENTENARY MONOGRAPH NO. 10
LANGUAGE HANDBOOK ON MOTHER TONGUES IN CENSUS

By R.C. Nigam,

Office of the Registrar General, India Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. Published in 1972.

p. 334 Appendix II Mother Tongues – 1971 Census (Provisional Figures)

showing numerically important mother tongues at Country level as of
1971 with strength of speakers of 5000 and above arranged in descending order of population.

Sl.No. Mother tongue Persons Males Females

68. Saurashtra 181,289 91,080 90,209




CENSUS OF INDIA 1961 VOL I PART II (c) LANGUAGE TABLES
A.MITRA of Indian Civil Service, Registrar General and ex-officio
Census Commissioner of India Published in 1967.

page ccxvi

INDO-ARYAN BRANCH
Inner Sub-Branch
Central Group
GUJARATI

Sl.No. Name of mother tongue speakers.

21. Saurashtra 157,570




page ccxvii

Saurashtra has been returned by 157,570 speakers of which the largest returns are from the State of Madras. (155,392) Equivalent of Saurashtra
in Linguistic Survey has been recorded as Saurashtri which is yet another name of Patanuli dialect of Gujarati spoken by the silk weaving community of Madras who are considered to have migrated from Gujarat to the South several centuries ago. On the basis of current preference for the name of their mother tongue we have, however, adopted the name ‘Saurashtra’ and not Saurashtri. On account of several generations of association in the Dravidian Language area, the speech is supposed to have been strongly affected by Dravidian traits. We preferred to call that dialect of Gujarati with such traits as Saurashtra.

Regarding Saurashtra, however, some interest has been shown, of late, on the technical aspects of this variety while inclination to affiliate it with Marathi is also visible among some scholars. In any case, some authoritative work on this variety of language remains to be done.

Pending the same, however, we have to keep it under Gujarati according to
the Linguistic Survey.





Question: Whether any authoritative work on Saurashtra language has
been done?

Question: If no authoritative work was done, then on what basis,
Saurashtra is classified as a dialect of Gujarati ? Why it is
removed from the list of languages whose speakers are more
than 10,000?

Saurashtra Language is to be treated as a separate Language only.
[The spelling used by the speakers is ‘SOURASHTRA’]

In the list of languages whose speakers are more than 10,000
SOURASHTRA Language is to be included. [The present omission of this language in 1991 census returns is to be rectified]

In the State of Tamil Nadu, the districtwise population of Saurashtrans is stated as ‘Gujarati’ a wrong and misguiding nomenclature which should
be rectified. They should be stated as SOURASHTRA.

When the speakers of Saurashtra (Sourashtra) cannot understand Gujarati,
it is not proper to include it as a dialect of Gujarati. Moreover SOURASHTRA language is written in its own script.

So Census Returns should state ‘Sourashtra’ as a separate language spoken in Tamil Nadu. It has got its own script different from that of Gujarati. It should not be included as a dialect under ‘Gujarati’.

Misguiding information in 1991 Census Report is to be rectified and accordingly 2001 Census figures are to be published with the correct spelling “SOURASHTRA”.

SOURASHTRA LANGUAGE IS A LITERARY LANGUAGE WHEREIN
the translation of the world famous ‘Sanskrit Bhagavath Gita’ and
‘Tamil Thirukkural’ are available. This information is not known to
many Sourashtrans!



O.S.Subramanian,
Secretary,
Sourashtra Vidya Peetam,
21-A, Pacharisikara No.2 Lane,
MADURAI-625001.

E-Mail upamanyuoss@yahoo.co.in

Minor Language Conference held in New Delhi on 24th March 2007.

Minor Language Conference held at New Delhi on 24th March 2007.

2007, the Golden Jubilee Year of Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities
was celebrated by conducting Minor Language Conference on 24th
March 2007 at New Delhi at India International Centre (Annex). Max Muller Road, New Delhi.

The representatives of Minor Languages came to a central place to know their counterparts from other centres and enrich their knowledge by finding the ways and means to improve their Language and Literature.

The Meeting was addressed by Sri Shiv Raj Patil, Minister for Home Affairs and Sri A.R.Antulay, Minister for Minority Affairs.

On behalf of Sourashtra Vidya Peetam, Madurai, its Secretary Sri O.S.
Subramanian attended the Conference [thanks to reimbursement of 2 A/C.
fare, free Hostel accommodation and an allowance of Rs.500].

The extract of the memorandum submitted to the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities by Sourashtra Vidya Peetam is given below.

“Respected Commissioner Sir,
At the outset, on behalf of SOURASHTRA VIDYA PEETAM, MADURAI we would like to say that we are very happy to participate in the Golden Jubilee Celebrations and in the Minor Language Conference being held in New Delhi. We thank you for extending your kind invitation to our Institution representing Sourashtras, one of the Linguistic Minorities of Tamil Nadu.

2. We are of the view that such conferences are to take place periodically to take stock of the developments taken place in implementing the rights guaranteed by Constitution of India.

3. At the State level, every year, a meeting of Representatives of Linguistic Minorities is to be held to assess the progress made in redressing the grievance of Linguistic Minorities.

4. In the State of Tamil Nadu, we are representing Sourashtras and we should be given a place in the Committee of Linguistic Minorities of the State.

5. We have been giving Memoranda to the Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities as and when they visit Tamil Nadu right from the year 1963 when Sri G.S.Tewari, Asst. Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, visited Madurai on 3.10.1963.

6. We are pained to record here that so far nothing has been done by both Central Government and State Government in introducing the teaching of SOURASHTRAM, our Mother Tongue. The State Government’s TWO LANGUAGE formula comes in the way of teaching of Mother tongue in the Schools. A way should be found out.

7. There are some instances where we have to approach the COURTS to ensure our rights guaranteed in the Constitution of India, especially in running Educational Institutions.

8. Census Centenary Monograph No.10 – Language Handbook of mother tongues in census – Census of India 1971—clearly lists “saurashtra” as item No.68 in page No.334. But in the latest Census figures, Saurashtra language is omitted in the list of mother tongues spoken by more than 10000 people. Such lapses should not take place.

9. Very meager time is allotted in All India Radio for the broadcast of Sourashtra programs. We request more time is to be allotted for the broadcast / telecast of Sourashtram programs in AIR/ Doordharshan to quench the cultural thirst of Sourashtras living in Tamil Nadu.

10. The Asst. Commissioner of Linguistic Minorities of respective States should arrange for a meeting of the representatives of Linguistic Minorities with the State Officials to redress the grievance.

11. We trust soon our grievance of not teaching our Mother tongue Sourashtram in Schools will be redressed. THANKING YOU.”


A copy of “MINOR LANGUAGES SPECIAL REPORT by Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, presented in December 2005” was given to the participants.

On Page 64 of the Special Report under the head “Sourashtram” the following is stated.

Sourashtram is an Indo Aryan language spoken in Tamil Nadu Spoken by the persons who migrated there from Gujarat about Seven hundred years ago. Grierson called it Patnuli and included It as a dialect of Gujarati. The people refer to it as Sourashtra or
Sourashtra or Sourashtri. It is claimed that their number is ten Lakhs or more. They mostly reside in MADURAI and Dindigul Districts. The language is not used in the educational stream. Though there is long pending demand for it. The community publishes a magazine in the language. The language has a Script of its own in which some epics were written long ago. Presently the people use the modified form of Tamil script. But a few pages in the magazine are from their own script.


Sri O.S.Subramanian has got the addresses of some of the representatives of other
Minority Languages. He has plans to contact them and learn from their past experience, which will be made use of for the development of Sourashtra Language.

In this connection, he extends invitation to all the enthusiasts of Sourashta Language
for development and introduction of the same in the school curriculum.

Please e-mail your suggestions to upamanyuoss@yahoo.co.in

O.S.Subramanian,
Secretary, Sourashtra Vidya Peetam,
21-A Pacharisikara No.2 Lane, South Masi Street,
Madurai-625001.

About Author and About the Book

About the author

Sri O.S.Subramanian is a Sourashtrian hailing from Madurai Hobula Family of Upamanyu Gothram. He is a Retired Manager of LIC of India. Presently he is the Honorary Director of Sourashtra Sabha Museum & Library, Madurai. He is also the Secretary of Sourashtra Vidya Peetam, Madurai. He is a Life Member of Dravidian Linguistics Association, Trivandrum and has attended its
several annual conferences.

He is closely associated with Dr. Uchida Norihiko of Kobe, Japan, since 1972 when he stayed in Madurai for two years while he was working as a Senior Fellow in Linguistics under the auspices of Annamalai University, Chidambaram.
He has assisted Dr. Uchida in bringing out ‘Oral Literature of Saurashtrans’ published in 1979. He has also assisted him in his compilation of ‘Saurashtra- English Dictionary’ published in 1990. He has edited Ramarai Ramayanu Part
I & II (1979 &1980) published by Sreshta Sourashtra Sahitya Sabha, Madurai.He has contributed many articles to the Sourashtra Groups in the Internet websites. Presently he has taken up the work of compiling the ENGLISH-SAURASHTRA Dictionary.

About the Book

This paper deals with the literary status of the Sourashtra Language spoken in Tamil Nadu. It highlights the literatures available in the form of Prose, Poetry and
Drama. The translation works include Ramayana, Bhagavath Gita, Thirukkural, Nauka Charitram and Geetha Govindam. It establishes the uniformity and the simplicity of Sourashtra Script. Already two foreigners Dr.H.N.Randle, Librarian, India Office, London and Dr. Uchida Norihiko of Kobe, Japan had studied this language and written articles and books. It is hoped that in future also many more Indian and Foreigners may come forward to make a comparative study of this language.

Sourashtra Booklet

The details of the Sourashtra Booklet dealing with Sourashtra Language,Literature and Script
are given below:
Bibligraphical Data
Title: SOURASHTRA LANGUAGE, LITERATURE & SCRIPT
Author: O.S. Subramanian, M.A., Dip. in Linguistics
Copy Right: O.S.SUBRAMANIAN, MADURAI, INDIA.
First Edition: July 2006
Subject: Sourashtra Language
Language: English
Paper used : 80 Gsm Map Litho
Printer: Geo Arts, 98/42, South Krishnankoil Street, Madurai-625001. Ph.0452-4377945

Publisher:
O.S.Subramanian,
"UPAMANYU"
7/9, Maa Roja Street,
Villapuram Meenakshinagar,
MADURAI-625012.
Ph. +91-452-2670230
Price: Rs.10

Sourashtra Language Literature and

Sourashtra Script

About Sourashtra Language Literature and Script

SOURASHTRA LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND SCRIPT

This paper, though not exhaustive, gives an outline on three aspects viz.
(A) LANGUAGE, (B) LITERATURE and (C) SCRIPT of Sourashtram.

Saurashtra (also Sourashtra) Language is an Indo-Aryan Language, about which there is no doubt among the Scholars. It is not a dialect of Gujarati, Marathi or Konkani, for the speakers of these languages cannot comprehend if they listen to Sourashtra language, though some of the vocabulary tally with their language. Its antiquity is as old as Sanskrit and is derived from Sauraseni Prakrit. T.M. Rama Rai says in his First Catechism of Sourashtra Grammar1 that the present Sourashtra language is the modern Prakrit language and the distinction between the old and modern Prakrit language may be compared with that of the old and modern English language.

The systematic study of Sanskrit language by the westerners started from the year 1786 A.D.by Sir William Jones, who studied the affinities among Sanskrit, Greek and Latin. In 1853 Sir Erskine Perry presented a paper 'on the Geographical distribution of the Principal Languages of India and the feasibility of introduction of English as a LINGUA FRANCA' in the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal and this gave a correct estimation of linguistic situation in India. In 1856 Bishop Caldwell published his monumental work 'Comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages'. John Beams published 'A Comparative Grammar of the Modern Aryan Languages of India in 3 volumes in London (1872-1879). These works formed the basis of the theories of George A Grierson on the classification of the Aryan vernaculars in the Linguistic Survey of India, which was published in many volumes between 1905 and 1922.

During the later part of the 19th century an awakening arose in the Sourashtra Community, which paved the way to think about the origin of their language and steps were taken to bring out publications in Sourashtra language in its own script and to replace the terms 'PATNULI' and 'PATNULKARAN' which were not palatable and which were also not relevant, for these terms covered all those who were engaged in silk weaving irrespective of the languages they spoke. So, the terms 'SOURASHTRA' and 'SOURASHTRAN' were popularized to mark their distinct identity of their language and community from other silk weavers. In 1876, the first publication in Sourashtra Script was brought by To.Mu. Seshayyangar.2 It was followed by other publications in Sourashtra script out of which the important ones are listed below:

Sourashtra Sabdavali (1879) 3 Sourashtra Laghu Sankyavali (1880)
Sourashtra Vattavali (1880), Sourashtra Bala Ramayanu (1904)
Sourashtra Niti Sambu (1902), Sourashtra Sangita Ramayanu (1905) (Telugu Script)
First Catechism of Sourashtra Grammar (1905)
Sourashtra Bodhini (1906) Sourashtra Nandi Nighantu (1908)


These and other publications in Sourashtra script created curiosity in the mind of Dr. H.N. Randle, M.A., D.Phil., I.E.S., Librarian, India Office, White Hall, London S.W.1 (1933-1949) while classifying the books and he after studying the available Sourashtra books, wrote an article “An Indo-Aryan Language of South India – Saurashtra Bhasha”in the Bulletin of School of Oriental and African Studies (BSOAS) 11 Part I p.104-121 and Part II p.310-327 (1943-46)4. He also wrote an article “The Saurashtrans of South India” in the Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, London in October 1944.5 Inspired by Dr.H.N.Randle's article, Dr. Uchida Norihiko of Kobe, Japan started his studies on Sourashtra Language in 1972 and he has written many Articles and Books on Sourashtra Language and Culture. The notable are:

The Oral Literature of Saurashtrans (1979) 6
The Language of the Saurashtran in Tirupati (1983) 7
A Saurashtra-English Dictionary (1990) 8

He is continuing his studies on Saurashtra language. He is writing Saurashtra Comparative Grammar. This deals with the literary form along with nine other dialects viz. Palayamkottai, Madurai, Tiruchi, Kumbakonam, Walajapet, Salem, Bangalore, Arani and Tirupati. The survival of this Indo-Aryan language even after several centuries of migration to South India surrounded by Dravidian Languages has fascinated him and he continues to work on this language.

In Census of India 1961 Volume I Part II – C (ii) Language Tables page ccxvii9 it is stated that some authoritative work on this variety of language remains to be done and pending the same (the Saurashtra Language) it is kept under Gujarati according to the Linguistic Survey of India. As suggested by George A. Grierson, Government brought out the Gramophone records of the languages and dialects of the Madras Presidency10 and published the Text in 1927, through Government Museum, Madras. In it, Sourashtra Language is recorded under the head 'Patnuli'.

Prof. I.R.Dave, Head of the Dept. of Gujarati Language and Literature, Saurashtra University, Rajkot studied this language and wrote a book “Dakshina Bharatna Saurashtrio emani Saurashtri Bhasha, Sahitya parampara ane sanskar-pranali” (1955) 11 in Gujarati. Later its English translation “The Saurashtrians in South India – their Language, Literature and Culture 12 was published in 1976. Unfortunately, it contained lot of printing mistakes in the spelling of the Sourashtra words listed and for many words the source is not known.

Prof. P.B.Pandit in his “Dr.P.D.Gune Memorial Lecture” under the head 'India as a Sociolinguistic Area'13 deals with Saurashtra language with that of Tamil and Gujarati.

The writer feels that further extensive study be undertaken by the Marathi and Gujarati Scholars comparing their language with Sourashtra spoken in South India.



B. SOURASHTRA LITERATURE.

Prose, Poetry and Drama works are available in Sourashtra Language.

The earliest Saurashtra song (poetry) available is the one composed by Sugandha Dhoopa Thirthaaryar - “tadiku povus poDi taLo hiir”. The magnum opus in Sourashtra Language is “Sourashtra Sangita Ramayanu”14 composed by Kavi Venkatasuri (1818-1890) published in 1905 in Telugu script. While the first five Kandams (parts) 15 have been published in Tamil script, the last part Yuddha Kandam is yet to be published in Tamil script. Its language is archaic and without commentary it is difficult to understand. The next popular songs are those of Natana Gopala Nayaki (1843-1904) 16 published in Tamil script. Because of its simplicity and devotional character, they have become popular and sung in concerts and in bhajans.'A Saurashtra-English Dictionary' 8 lists more than 70 works in Sourashtra language out of which 21 mostly written by Advaitananda Bharati are in manuscript form only and they are yet to be printed.

The following translations are available.

Nauka charitram – Panchal charitru by B. Alagararya 17
Bhagavat Gita – Bhagavat Gita in Sourashtram by T.R.Padmanabha Iyer 18
Gita Govinda Mahakavyam – by Kurugadi G.Rengadhamayya 19
Tirukkural – by S.S.Ram 20
Venkatesa Suprabhatam – by N.S.Viswanathan 21
Kumara Gitam 22 is composed by N.S.Viswanathan emulating Pillaittamil.

The Prose works:
Sourashtra Vachana Ramayanu by T.M.Ramarai 23
Vedanta Vicharanaikal by Kutty Kaveri Ammal 24 a philosophical discourse.

The Drama work:
Novva Jivnam by V.K.Nilarao 25
There are other Kathakalakshepam works wherein prose and poetry are combined. Of late, many more original works are authored and published in Sourashtram.

References:

1. First Catechism of Sourashtra Grammar, by T.M.Rama Rai (in Sourashtra
script) (1905)
2. First Publication in Sourashtra Script in 1876 Published by To.Mu.
Seshayyngar
3. Catalogue of the Saurashtra Books in the India Office Library, London (1979)
4. BSOAS 11 Part I p.104-121 and Part II p.310-327 (1943-46)
5. Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, London (October 1944)
6. The Oral Literature of Saurashtrans, by Dr.Uchida Norihiko, Intercultural
Research Institute Monograph Series 6, Simant Publications, Calcutta (1979)
7. The Language of Saurashtrans in Tirupati, by Dr. Uchida Norihiko, {Second
and revised Edition 1991) Mahalxmi Enterprises, Bangalore.
8. A Saurashtra-English Dictionary, by Dr. Uchida Norihiko, (1990) Otto
Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden, Germany.
9. Census of India 1961 Volume I Part II – C (ii) Language Tables, p. ccxvii
10. Gramophone Records of the languages and dialects of the Madras
Presidency, Text of Passages, Government Museum, Madras (1927)
11. Dakshina Bharatna Saurashtrio emani Saurashtri Bhasha, Sahitya
parampara and Samskarana Pranali by Dr. I.R. Dave (1955) Saurashtra
Samshodhana Mandal, Rajkot. [in Gujarati language]
12. The Saurashtrians in South India – their Language, Literature and Culture By
I.R.Dave (1976) [in English]
13. India as a Socio Linguistic Area by Prof. P.B.Pandit, University of Pune,
(1972)
14. Sourashtra Sangita Ramayanu by Kavi Venkatasuri (1905) [Sourashtra
language printed in Telugu script]
15. Sourashtra Sangita Ramayanam by Kavi Venkatasuri – Kandams I, II, III, IV
and V [in Tamil script] Edited by K.V.Padmanabha Iyer.
16. Natanagopala Nayaki Swamigalin Sankirthanaikal (1949)
17. Panchal Charitru by B.Alagararya (1904)
18. Bhagavat Gita – Translation in Sourashtram by T.R.Padmanabhaier (Third
Edition 1975)
19. Gita Govindam – Translation in Sourashtram by Kurugadi G. Rengadamayya
(1938)
20 Tirukkural – Translation in Sourashtram by S.S. Ram, Siddhasramam (1993)
21. Venkatesa Suprabhatam – Translation in Sourashtram by N.S.Viswanathan
(1980)
22. Kumara Gitam – Pillaittamil in Sourashtram by N.S.Viswanathan (1980)
23. Sourashtra Vachana Ramayanam by T.M.Rama Rai – Part I and II Published
by Sreshta Sourashtra Sahitya Sabha, Madurai (1979)
24. Vedanta Vicharanaikal – Discourse in Sourashtram by Kutty Kaveri Ammal
(1954)
25. Novva Jivnam – a Drama in Sourashtram by V.K.Neela Rao (1978)
26. The Alphabet – A Key to the History of Mankind by David Dringer D.Litt
(1948)

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SOURASHTRA LANGUAGE

Sourashtra Language is an Indo-Aryan language derived from Sauraseni Prakrit. It is now spoken by about a million people throghout the State of TAMIL NADU in INDIA. The community is 'Sourashtra'. They are also termed as 'paTTunuulkaaran'. This means one who deals in
silk threads. That is they are silk weavers.
It is said their homeland is SAURASHTRA in Gujarat State, INDIA.
It is not known when they migrated from Gujarat to South India.
They passed through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra and finally settled in Tamil Nadu. They are concentrated more in Madurai.

Dr. H.N. Randle of India Office Library, London wrote an article in BOAS long back about this language.
This evinced interest in Dr.Uchida Norihiko, of KOBE, Japan, when
he was in Germany. He came to India in 1972 and studied this language. He has published 'Oral Literature of Saurashtrans' in 1979 and 'Saurashtra-English Dictionary' in 1990.

He continues to do research on this language. For this he visits
every year Madurai.

1st January 2006.
O.S.Subramanian