Sriman Natanagopala Nayaki's song in Sourashtram

ஸ்ரீமந் நடனகோ3பால நாயகினு கீர்த்தனொ.     Page 11. (1963 Edition)

ஸஹானா ராகு3                                          ஆதி3 தாளு

                        பல்லவி
ஹத்3து3 கொடு3ம் தெல்கை ஜாநகோ அரேரே மொந்நு

ஹத்3து3 கொடு3ம் தெல்கை ஜாநகோ                           (ஹத்3து3)

                        அநுபல்லவி

பு3த்3தி4 ஸேஸ்தெங்க ஜொவளு

முத்3தி3 ஹாத் மோடி3 கர்நகோ                          (ஹத்3து3)

                         சரணு

1.மொ:ட்டொ ந:ன்ன ஜனி சல்லேரே மு:டா3 மொந்நு                        மொ:ட்டொ ந:ன்ன ஜனி சல்லேரே                                          மொ:ட்டொ மீ மெல்லி  ஹிண்டே3த்                                        மொ:ட்டொ ஹொய்லுவாய்ஹா லோகுர்                (ஹத்3து3) 
     

2.மாய் பா3பு மொந் து3க்கண்ணகொ ரே மட்3டி3 மொந்நு                    மாய் பா3பு மொந் து3க்கண்ணகொ ரே                                      மாயி பா3புனுக் ஹோனாஸ் தெனொ                                        கா3யின் சொர்வெ ஹரிக் ஹோய்கி                    (ஹத்3து3)

3.தெ3க்கெ தா4னுக் ஹிண்டு3நகொரே தெ3க்டா3 மொந்நு                    தெ3க்கெ தா4னுக் ஹிண்டு3நகொ ரே                                        தெ3க்கெ தா4னுக்  ஹிண்ட3ஸ்தெமொ                                     ஜு2க்கு யெம த3ண்ட3னொ ஸே                          (ஹத்3து3)

4.தே3வ் நீ: தெ4ரும் நீ: மெந்நகோ தே3வுகூஸ் த்4யான் தே3வ்நீ:தெ4ரும்நீ:மெந்நகொ                                                 ஜீவ்நீ:ஸ்தெஸரீர்க2ள்ளி                                                       ஜிவ்நம் கரெஸ்தெனொ கோன் ஏட்                       (ஹத்3து3)

5. சொக்கட் காமுக் அவ்டொ3 பொண்ணொகோ சொக்கட் ஐகி              சொக்கட் காமுக் அவ்டொ3  பொண்ணொகோ                             சொக்கட் வாடும் சல்நாருக் ஸெய்                                         தெ3க்கெ தா4னுக் கௌ3வ்நகொரே                       (ஹத்3து3)

6.பாபு வாடுநும் ஜாநகோ பாய்ம்போட்3 ஹரிக்                              பாபு வாடுநும்  ஜாநகோ                                                 பாபு புந்நு ஹாலிஸ் ஜெலும்                                                ஜீப் ஹால் க3வேத் அவ்நா ஜெலும்                      (ஹத்3து3)

7.ஸாது3நுக் ஜெய் வாது3க் பொ3வ்நகொரே ஏ தூ ஐகி                      ஸாது3நுக் ஜெய் வாது3க் பொ3வ்நகொரே                                  ஸாது3ந் மெந்த கீ3துன் க3வன்                                              வீதுமு ஹரிக் பொ3வன்                                  (ஹத்3து3)

8.முஸின் பீள் க4லி ஸொள்நொகோ மோஸ் அவய் தெமொ           முஸின் பீள் க4லி  ஸொள்நொகொ                                        முஸின் பீள் க4லி ஸொள்ளஸ்தெமொ                                       முஸன் ஜாத்தெ கை நீ: யேட்                             (ஹத்3து3)

9.பாய் ஹோர் பாய் தைலி பி3ஸுநகொ 
பாப் அவய் ஸெய்லே                           
பாய் ஹோர் பாய் தைலி  பி3ஸுநகொ                                     பாய் ஹோர் பாய் தைலி  பி3ஸினிம்                                        காய் அவய் கு3ண்ணு நஸை                             (ஹத்3து3)

10.கொ3ரு ஸொகொ ஹிண்டு3நகொரே கோ3விந்தா3ஸ் தே3வ்             கொ3ரு ஸொகொ ஹிண்டு3நகொரே                                        கு3ருவுக் கைங்கர்யம் கரி                                                    ஹரி த3யாக் பாத்ர ஹொய்லெ                           (ஹத்3து3)

11.பிக்கெ வென்னு நித்தரா:ய்கி ஸங்கி3ரே மொந்நு                           பிக்கெ வெந்நு நித்தரா:ய்கி                                                  பு4க்கொ ஸுக்கெத்தெனொ பா4த்                                           தெ3க்கெ ப3ல்ச கோ3ரா:ய்கி                              (ஹத்3து3)

12. மோக்ஷி பொந்த3ஸ்தக ஜெலும் யேஸ் ஐகிரே மொந்நு                    மோக்ஷி பொந்த3ஸ்தக ஜெலும் யேஸ்                                      மோக்ஷி பொந்த3ஸ்தக வாட்யேஸ்                                         ஸாக்ஷி ப்ரஹ்லாது ஸெய்லே                            (ஹத்3து3)

13. நடனகோ3பாலுக் பாய்ம்போட்3 நஜ்ஜா நகொரே                         நடனகோ3பாலுக் பாய்ம்போட்3                                              கெடொ ஹிங்கு3லுவாய் கொங்கிக்                                          மொ:டொ வத்தொ கர்நகொரே                            (ஹத்3து3)

உபமன்யு / 22.10.2017.

Page 83 of 1963 Edition.
                        கண்ணிகள்
1. ஸேவ கொ2ப்3பா3 தே3யி ஸ்ரீ ஹரி ஸேவ கொ2ப்3பா3 தே3யி

   ஸியெதீஸ் மொர மொந்நு ஸிள்ள ஹோயி.                 (ஸேவ)

2. மொந்நு கொ2ப்3பா3 ஹுத்துரயி ஹரி தொர          (மொ)               மோஸ்கரெத் மொர் பாப் கோன ஜாயி                       (ஸேவ)

3. தெ3ய்டா3 மொந் கெல்ரேஸ்தெ கொகரே ஸ்ரீ ஹரி

  மொர தீ3 தொ3ளானும் அவிகின் தூ                          (ஸேவ)

4. இஸொ தூ கரன் ஹோய்கி ஸ்ரீஹரி                          (இஸொ)

  எக மீ அத்த காய் கருரே                                      (ஸேவ)

5. மீ தொர தா3ஸ் நா: ஹா ஸ்ரீ ஹரி                           (மீ)

  நா: மெனன் ஹோய் ஹா தொர ஹாலு                      (ஸேவ)

6. ஸொண்ணா ஸொண்ணா ஸொண்ணா ஹரி மீ தொகொ
   ஸொட3ன் ஹோய்கி தூ மொரெ ஹாதேட்            (ஸேவ)

7. நடனகோ3பாலா ஆவி ஆவ் ஸ்ரீ ஹரி மீ                     (நடன)

  நஜ்ஜான் ஹோய்கி ஏஅட் அத்த தூ                           (ஸேவ)

elle giith Sri T.K.Ramarathinam, subha pantuvaraaLi raagammu jhuku chokkaT gavatte mii  aiki sompu pondirEs.
upamanyu
26.10.2017.

aski tenu kaamkettaanuus !

                       aski tenu kaamkettaanuus !

oNTe dEsu rajo oNTe tETu hibbi rhii teka prajaan sento vatto keratte vEL

‘mii elyo dEsu rajo; mii jato dusura tenu askinu mor kaamkettaanu menatte khobbim havTanjavaLLan hOnaa’  meni menesi.

telyo aikilEt hote oNTe oLDu, rajaak sommar avi ‘tumi sangariyo serko nhaa; aski tenu ojanaak ojano kaamkettaanuus; emaam tiiL sEru meLLi sendEv nhii’ meni menesi.

telyo aike rajaak raak jhuku avDiyo. ‘tii kOnak, mor vattaak cheDi tumi vatto kerariyo?  ture vaadam serko nhaa; hoyeti meLLi, tumi oNTe oLDu menatte haali,  tunko mii  kShaminchariyo’ meni menesi.

te vEL, telyo oLDu  ‘rajaanuu ! mor vatto nijam hoyeyo menatte mor haali ruju kerattak musayi’ meni menesi.  Rajo meLLi, ‘serkas, ruju keruvo’ meni menesi. ‘oke vELum ruju kerattak museni meneti, tunko teka hOntaye deNDano abbayi’ meni sommar suuchano (eccharikke) keresi.

hoyeti meLLi, elyo oLDu telyo savaal kan khaLLi, ‘rajaanuu !  elyo mor haatu gude ruvvo gheTi dherli rhavo; mii mor  dhovat (vET) serko kETur bhandullusu’ meni menesi.  rajo meLLi telyo gude khaLLi, dherliis hotesi.

oLDu nidaankan teka dhovat serko bhandilli ruvvo gheTi pharaatu teka gude rajo jovaL rhii khaLLesi. Phalcho rajo jovaL menesi ‘rajaanuu ! mii mor savaalum jeginchittiyo’ meni sontOShkan reccha kuut tagesi.

Rajo ‘tii, kOnak ‘meni pusesi.

‘Mii sange dhaanuk mor gude tumi dherli hotyaasi. mii kEr mene kaam tumi kertyaa; teka haali tumi meLLi oNTe kaamkettOs’ meni telyo oLDu spaShTamkan menesi.

oLDuk sEtte buddhi chaaturyam rajo slaaginchi, tenduus rhii teka oNTe mukhyam hoye aalOsano adhikaari kan thovlesi.

39th All India Conference of Dravidian Linguists at Patiala.

The 39th All India Conference of Dravidian Linguists was held in Punjabi University, Patiala from 14th June 2011 to 16th June 2011.

It was organised jointly by

Dravidian Linguistics Association, International School of Dravidian Linguistics, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Punjabi Linguistics Association, Patiala

Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala.

I read a paper on 'Comparison of Sourashtra Basic Vocabulary with Marathi'
on 15th June 2011.

The gist is given below:

Sourashtra (Saurashtra) language is an Indo-Aryan Language. Though its origin is in North India, it is now widely spoken in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. It is a minority language and Sahitya Akademi has recognized it and honoured two Sourashtra Scholars by giving Bhasha Samman Award.

Foreign Scholars Dr.H.N.Randle and Dr.Uchida Norihiko and Indian Scholars Dr.I.R.Dave, Sri M.S.Gopalakrishnan and Dr.P.B.Pandit have studied this language and written articles and books.

T.M.Rama Rai states that Sourahtra is the modern form of Sauraseni Prakrit.
According to Linguistic Survey of India, Saurashtra is tentatively grouped under Gujarati pending detailed investigation.
Language hand book on mother tongue in Census (Census centenary monograph No.10) (1972) lists Saurashtra as a separate language in Appendix II Mother Tongues - 1971 (Provision figures) page 334 as
Sl.No.68 Saurashtra (total speakers 181,289).
But in 2001 Census, Sourashtra is grouped under Gujarati and is shown as a dialect of Gujarati. It is not known how it has been asserted as a dialect of Gujarati.
Systematic comparative study of this language is to be done with other sister languages like Marathi, Konkani, Khatri etc.
Now in this paper basic vocabulary of 600 words of Sourashtra are compared with Marathi. It is found that out of 600 words, 150 words tally exactly and 111 words tally with slight modification. In toto 261 words i.e. 43% of words can be understood by both people.
It is hoped that Linguists will come forward to compare Sourashtra language with other sister languages. The findings will enable to determine the origin of this language and their original homeland.

O.S.Subramanian,
Life Member of DLA, Thiruvananthapuram.

CENSUS 2011

The population enumeration Census 2011 is going to start on 9th February 2011.
To day the enumerator called on me and requested to keep ready the date of birth of all the residents of my home as she will be visiting again on 9th to record the details of Census 2011. It is learnt from that enumerator that there is no question regarding Caste in the enumeration which is starting from 9th February.

I appeal to all Sourashtrians to record their mother tongue as SOURASHTRA.
Because people were not alert, the population of Sourashtras was much understated/
At least in this census it should be corrected, so that we can claim the rights of Linguistic Minorities.

Marriage Invitation in Sourashtra Script.

Please view the attached document - a marriage invitation printed in Sourashtra Script.
Er. P.S.Dhanabalan, B.E., FIE, CE(Ind) is an ardent supporter of Sourashtra script.
He has printed the marriage invitation of his daughter in Sourashtra script, besides in Tamil and English language. The marriage date is on Monday, 14th February, 2011. The venue is Agarwal Bhavan1 BB Road, Balarangapuram, Madurai-625009.
Muhurtham between 6 am & 7.15 am. Sow. P.D.Aarti marries Chi. P.S.D.Achyut Babu.

Grantha Script.

In some quarters, it is suggested that Grantha script, a modified form of Tamil script, used to write Sanskrit texts etc. instead of using Devanagari script,
can be used to write Sourashtra language.

Sourashtra language has got a beautiful, scientific, modern, simple and uniform script.
So there is no need to use Grantha script for Sourashtra Language.
Already, the Devanagari script supporters could not do anything for the development of Sourashtra language by using Devanagari Script.
Recently they are trying with Parivarthit Devanagari script !
Even in this script, two more symbols to represent half yakaram and nasal marker are not provided.
It is a pity the supporters of Devanagari Script has not studied the books written by Sri T.M.Rama Rai. Had they studied the books written by T.M.Rama Rai in Sourastra script, they might have realised the need to provide two additional symbols required to write half yakaram and nasal marker which are peculiar to Sourashtra language.

Sourashtra language has special sounds which are not available in other Indian language. Hence, it is not possible to adopt Grantha script for Sourashtra Language.

Letter under Right to Information Act to Cenus Authorities.

Sourashtra Staff Association.
241, South Marret Street, Madurai-625001.
Ref: Census/2 Dated: 21.1.2011

UNDER RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT
Sri N. Ravichandran,
Joint Director of Census Operations
Directorate of Census Operations Tamil Nadu,
‘E’ Wing, 3rd Floor, Rajaji Bhavan, Besant Nagar, CHENNAI-600090.
Sir,
Sub: Saurashtra/Sourashtra – Mother tongue spoken in Tamil Nadu.
This has reference to our letter dated 17th May, 2010 and your reply dt.11th August, 2010 under RTI Act.
Q.No.1. Who has done the extensive authoritative work on Saurashtra/Sourashtra language comparing with Gujarati?
1. The answer to the above question by you is not satisfactory. The finding of Sir George Abraham Grierson in his Linguistic Survey of India (LSI) is only tentative and not conclusive. 2. It is stated in Census of India 1961 Vol. 1 Part II –C (ii) Language Tables p. ccxvii as under:
Regarding Saurashtra, however, some interest has been shown, of late, on the technical aspects of this variety while the 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.
3. We quote below the extract from the Article ‘The Saurashtrans of South India’ by Dr.H.R.Randle, M.A., D.Phil., I.E.S., Librarian, India Office, White Hall, London S.W.1 published in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society , London (October 1944).
“The Saurashtri language, also called Patnuli or Khatri, has been classed as a dialect of Gujarati. It certainly appears to belong to the Gujarati-Rajasthani linguistic type; but, although it has some forms such as a causative in -ḍ- and passive in -ā- which connect it specifically with Gujarati, its inflections are not those of Gujarati and its basic vocabulary is predominantly Marathi. For these reasons it is not possible to regard it as a dialect of Gujarati… Sourashtran publications are sufficient proof that it is an adequate medium for literary expression.”
4. You have quoted the book of Dr. V. Renuka Devi. It is not authentic and conclusive. It does not say that Sourashtra is a dialect of Gujarati.
5. We contend that our Sourashtra language should not be shown as a dialect of Gujarati. It is one of the Minor languages of India.
6. The National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Allahabad has treated our language as a separate language only and accordingly we are invited as Linguistic Minority of Sourashtra language only and not Linguistic Minority of Gujarati language in Tamil Nadu.
7. Census of India 1971 Language handbook on Mother Tongues in Census – Census Centenary Monograph No.10. On page No. 223 it is stated as under:
1399. Saurashtra - Mother tongue returns received from a substantial section of population in Tamil Nadu from weavers reported to be originally hailing from north specially Gujarat. The returns were classified under Gujarati in 1961 Census. Proper investigations of this language are still lacking.
In Appendix II Mother Tongues –1971 Census (Provisional figures) 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. 68 Saurashtra population ...181,289.( Males 91,080 and Females 90,209).
8. When it is not mutually intelligible, Sourashtra language cannot be treated as a dialect of Gujarati. So it should be shown as a separate language and it should be included in the list of languages whose speakers are more than 10,000.
9. In Census Report 2011 pertaining to Tamil Nadu State, Sourashtran speakers are to be shown as separately and should not be merged with Gujarati language.
Q. No. 2. On what basis Saurashtra/Sourashtra language is shown as dialect of Gujarati from 1991 Census onwards?
10. Your reply to this question is not satisfactory. LSI is not a conclusive proof. It is already stated in 1961 and 1971 Census Reports that ‘proper investigations of this language are still lacking’. We do not know who has done extensive research on this language and stated categorically that it is a dialect of Gujarati giving concrete examples.
Q. No. 3. Whether you have got consent from the speakers of Saurashtra/Sourashtra to show it as a dialect of Gujarati?
11. You say that the affiliation of the language is decided by the available grammatical structure of the concerned language/mother tongue along with the available knowledge base as well as the decision of the linguistic and non-linguistic experts.
Will you furnish us the grammatical structures of Sourashtra and Gujarati for our scrutiny and the opinions given by the experts in Linguistics with regard to Sourashtra language? We would also like to know the names of non-linguistic persons who have given the opinion that Sourashtra is a dialect of Gujarati. So, kindly furnish the same for our perusal.
Q. No. 4. Is there no Sourashtras in Tamil Nadu?
You have given reply that as per 2001 Census number of persons reported Saurashtra/Sourashtra as mother tongue is, 178,135. But in Census Reports it is clubbed with Gujarati and our language Sourashtra is not shown separately. We demand that our population figures district wise is to be stated separately to enable us to claim the Rights of Linguistic Minorities in Tamil Nadu.
Q. No. 5. Why the nomenclature is changed to Gujarati? i.e. the Saurashtra/Sourashtra population is clubbed with Gujarati?
12. Your reply is not satisfactory. The inclusion of our population with Gujarati speaking people and showing as Gujarati is misleading.
We demand that in future, in Tamil Nadu, you should furnish the population figures of Sourashtras District wise separately in Census Report for the year 2011.
We would like to hear from you further in this regard. Please send your reply soon.
Yours faithfully,
Secretary.
Copy to National Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities,
40, Amar Nath Jha Marg, Allahabad-211002.

This is an extract of the letter sent to Census Authorities, produced here for the information of all.

Lord Bhuvarahan & Lord Dhanvanthiri.

Madurai Sourashtra Sabha is creating two Sannidis for
Lord Bhuvarahan and Lord Dhanvanthiri in their Temple
Sri Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Devasthanam, South Krishttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhnan Koil Street, Madurai-1.

The invitation is uploaded in my picasa web album, the link of which is given below:


http://picasaweb.google.com/subramanian.obula/SriBhuvarahaPerumalSriDhanvathiriPerumal?feat=directlink

Natanagopala Nayaki Swamigal Bhajanai Madam.

ஸ்ரீமன் நடனகோபால நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் ஸ்தாபிதம் செய்த
பஜனை மடங்கள்.
1. ஸ்ரீ நடனகோபால நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் பஜனை கூடம் - ஸ்தாபிதம் 1913. பதிவு எண் 122/90
57-A, மன்னார் பிள்ளை தெரு, திருச்சி.
மடத்தின் சிறப்பு:
ஸ்ரீ நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் அவர்களால் 1893 - ல் இடம் கிரயம் செய்யப்பட்டு ஸ்தாபிதம் செய்யப்பட்டது.

2. ஸ்ரீ நடனகோபால ஸ்வாமி நாலாயிர திவ்ய பிரபந்த பஜனை கூடம்.
19/9, சன்னதி தெரு, திருபுவனம், தஞ்சை மாவட்டம்.

மடத்தின் சிறப்பு:
பஜனை மடத்தில் அடியார் குழாங்களுடன் 1905- ல் ஸ்ரீ நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் ஜீவிய காலத்தில் எடுக்கப்பட்ட புகைப்படம் பஜனை மடத்தில் அலங்கரிக்கிறது.

3.மேற்கூறிய மடங்களைப் போல் திருக்குடந்தை, துவரங்குறிச்சி வடக்குத் தெரு, டோர் நிர். 33-ல் அமந்துள்ள ஸ்ரீ நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் அவர்கள் திருவாராதனம் செய்த கோயில் ஆழ்வாரை ஸ்ரீமான் வைத்திய நாத ஸ்வாமிகளின் திருமாளிகையில் ஸ்தாபிதம் செய்துள்ளார்கள். மேற்படி
ஸ்ரீ வைத்திய நாத ஸ்வாமிகளின் வம்சாவழியினரால் பரிபாலிக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது.

மேற்கூறிய மூன்று ஊர்களிலும் நம் ஸ்வாமிகள் ஸ்தாபிதம் செய்தது போல் வேறு எங்கும் மடங்கள் இருப்பது தெரியவில்லை.
64 பிரபந்தக் கண்ணிகள் ரூபமாக அருளிய ஸ்ரீ நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் காட்டும் உய்யும் வழி (தமிழ் பதவுரை, பொழிப்புரையுடன்) புத்தகம் வெளி வரவுள்ளது.

இக்கைங்கர்யத்திற்கு நன்கொடைகள் வரவேற்கப்படுகின்றன.
நூல் நெளியிடுவோர்:
ஸ்ரீமந் நாயகி ஸ்வாமிகள் பஜனைக் கூடம்,
57-A, மன்னார்பிள்ளைத் தெரு, திருச்சி.

ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளர்கள்:
A.M.Vijayaram, Tiruchi Cell No. 9025958211
Secretary, Sriman Nayaki Swamigal Bhajanai Kutam.

L.S.Vijayarangan, Veeravanallur Cell No. 9944045010
N.Sakthirangarajan, Parambur, Pudukottai Cell No. 9942627803
K.N.Lakshmanan, Thirukkudanthai cell No. 9994383455.

Sri K.N. Lakshmanan, met me and gave me a notice seeking funds for the publication of the above book.

He called on me along with Dr.T.R.Damodaran and Sri P.P.Sudarsan when they wanted to have a copy of the catalogue of Palm leave manuscripts and paper manuscripts available in Sourashtra Sabha, Madurai.

Sourashtra gheTTi viDo

Some of the photos taken at the time of Sourashtra betrothal ceremony are uploaded in my picasawebalbum. They can be viewed in the following link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/axCV5lLQP8JIqZgzoq4NLQ?feat=directlink

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