Language, Communication, and the Story of Migration
Lion Raja Ganesan pmjf
The turning point in human
development came with the ability to speak. Once language was developed,
communication became easier and more efficient. If we look at Tamil, one of the
ancient languages, we find that many words can be traced to their roots, which
helps in understanding their deeper meanings. Language made it possible for
humans to express their thoughts, pass on knowledge, and build communities.
Over time, as humans migrated
and settled in different regions, they adapted to new environments, and their
languages evolved accordingly. This eventually gave rise to separate ethnic
groups and distinct languages, further shaping human identities and cultures.
Take America, for example. The
United States was formed by immigrants from nearly ten different countries. The
original inhabitants—the Native Americans—had their own languages, like the
language of the Savitri people. However, these languages slowly disappeared
because they were not preserved, not widely understood, and not aligned with
modern scientific developments.
America, a land rich in water, fertile soil, and valuable resources like gold, became home to many ethnic groups. When the nation was being built, a common language was essential for unifying its people. Around that time, inventions like the radio and the typewriting machine made communication faster. English, being one of the most recently developed and scientifically adaptable languages, gained dominance.
Interestingly, the English
spoken in America is different from that in England. Americans adapted the
language, modifying pronunciation and vocabulary to suit their cultural
context. Over time, they coined new terms like "migration" and gave
them refined meanings, suited to the modern world.
In conclusion, language has always played a vital role in shaping human history, identity, and unity. It is both a reflection of our past and a tool for our future. As cultures move, merge, and evolve, language remains at the heart of human connection.
Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Tamil,
Hebrew, Arabic, and Chinese are all recognized as classical languages.
At the time the Thirukkural
was composed, the state of world literature reflected different worldviews. In
Arabic, the word "Arab" meant "one who speaks,"
while others were called "Ajamis," meaning "mute" or
"dumb." Similarly, in ancient Chinese literature, there was a belief
that "we are the superior people," and others were referred to as
"foreign devils."
European literature from that
period often described themselves as "civilized" and portrayed others
as "savages."
In contrast, Tamil literature
from 2000 years ago, particularly the Thirukkural, expressed a deeply
humanistic philosophy — declaring that not only humans, but all living beings,
including animals and insects, deserve equal rights.
While many religious
scriptures in other languages emphasize that only those who pray five times a
day and follow the correct religious path will reach heaven, Tamil texts like Sirupanchamoolam
celebrate practical contributions to society:
"The one who digs a pond,
the one who builds a waterway,
The one who clears a forest to create farmland,
The one who plants trees — these are the ones honored."
Notably, it does not condemn those who fail to do these things, nor does it threaten them with hell — it simply uplifts those who serve the greater good.
These principles were powerfully articulated in the Tolkappiyam, written over 3,000 years ago. That is why, in Tamil Nadu today, it is possible to see someone born into a historically marginalized community serving as a District Collector, while someone from a so-called higher caste may work under them as a clerk — a reality shaped by the progressive norms established long ago.
உற்றுழி உதவியும், உறுபொருள் கொடுத்தும், பிற்றைநிலை முனியாது, கற்றல் நன்றே! பிறப்பு ஓர் அன்ன உடன்வயிற்று உள்ளும், சிறப்பின் பாலால், தாயும் மனம் திரியும்; . ஒருகுடிப் பிறந்த பல்லோருள்ளும்,
'மூத்தோன் வருக என்னாது, அவருள் அறிவுடையோன் ஆறு அரசும் செல்லும், வேற்றுமை தெரிந்த நாற்பால் உள்ளும், கீழ்ப்பால் ஒருவன் கற்பின், மேற்பால் ஒருவனும் அவன்கண் படுமே.
A mother’s love is unique for the child born of her
womb, and each mother’s affection differs based on her own nature and
qualities. Similarly, among many visitors, a wise king does not call upon the
eldest, but the wisest. In a society divided by class, if someone from a lower
class excels in learning and wisdom, even those of higher status will come
under his influence. Therefore, it is better to offer help where there is
hardship, to give generously without worrying about loss or sorrow, and to
strive diligently to grow in knowledge and wisdom.
குஞ்சி யழகும் கொடுந்தானைக் கோட்டழகும்
மஞ்சள் அழகும் அழகல்ல - நெஞ்சத்து
நல்லம்யாம் என்னும் நடுவு நிலைமையால்
கல்வி அழகே அழகு.
Woman
Not in your hair, though it flows like midnight rivers,
Nor in your saree, dancing with the breeze,
Not in the gentle lines upon your brow,
Nor in the turmeric glow that graces your skin
No, beauty is not only these.
They praise your waist, your breasts, your face—
But that is not your worth, not your grace.
The true beauty of a woman lies unseen:
In wisdom, in strength,
In the light of learning that burns serene.
Education—
That is your crown,
That is your jewel,
That is your beauty,
Unshakable, powerful,
Forever whole.
The Glory of Tamil – The Literary Heights of Kambar's
Ramayana
The Ramayana is not just a book; it is the very breath
of Indian civilization. Even before it was given written form by Valmiki, it
was a story that spread orally from generation to generation. This epic,
translated into more than 300 languages worldwide, has reflected the culture
and thought of each language in which it has been rendered.
While Valmiki's Ramayana serves as the foundational
version, Kambar's Ramayana in Tamil is not a mere translation; it is a rebirth.
At a time when more than 33 versions of the story existed under the name of
Ramayana, Kambar, with the richness and righteousness of the Tamil language,
created an unparalleled epic.
In Valmiki's Ramayana, the final scene ends on a
deeply tragic note. Rama is said to have drowned himself in the Sarayu River.
Even in the Mahabharata, Krishna is said to have died from an arrow shot by a
hunter. But Kambar's Ramayana does not have such tragic endings. Tamil
righteousness does not allow for the downfall of deities; it elevates them.
Kambar did not change the names given by the original
author Valmiki, even for minor characters. There was only one change—he called
'Rama' as 'Iraman' to suit the phonetic beauty of Tamil. This is Kambar's
literary integrity and respect.
Kambar completely removed some of the immoral and
inappropriate incidents found in Valmiki's Sanskrit Ramayana. Because of this,
history tells us that the kings of that time kept Kambar's Ramayana hidden for
800 years. Tamil, which speaks of righteousness, instilled fear in those in
power.
In the Sanskrit Ramayana, there is the incident where Sita asks Maricha for the deer, followed by the drawing of a line that no one should cross. But in Kambar's Ramayana, that "line" is absent. Kambar erased that line.
The reason is that Tamil portrays Sita not as a weak
woman; She is seen as a woman full of wisdom and virtue.
Furthermore, Valmiki's Ramayana states that Rama and
Sita were married when Rama was 12 years old and Sita was 6 years old. From
today's perspective, that is child marriage. But in Kambar's Ramayana,
The single line, "When he saw her, she too saw
him,"
stands as one of the world's greatest love poems. In
Kambar's description, Sita is over 18 years old, and Rama is a young man of 21.
That is the evolution of love; the beauty of virtue.
While the Swayamvara in the Sanskrit Ramayana is
somewhat dry, in Kambar's Ramayana it transforms into a dreamlike world. Not
just the moment the bow breaks; the arrangement of the arena, the manner in
which the kings are assembled, the expectations of the princes—everything
unfolds as poetry.
Among the kings who participated in the Swayamvara,
Rama was the only king who saw Sita when she stood in the pavilion. At that
very moment, Sita also sees Rama. That instantaneous love transforms into the
power to break Shiva's bow.
Love is the source of heroism—this is Kambar's
wonderful imagination.
Kambaramayanam is the Tamil pinnacle of the Ramayana. It
is not a translation; it is the soul of Tamil. Combining virtue, love, valor,
and compassion, Kambar gave Tamil an immortal epic.
This is not just the Ramayana; this is the pride of Tamil.
In Valmiki's Ramayana, Kaikeyi asks for and receives two boons, but Rama's father, Dasaratha, writes that these boons have no bearing on Rama, that they apply only to him and Kaikeyi, and that Rama should go and rule the kingdom. However, Kambar writes that Rama relinquishes his position and goes to the forest, trusting Kaikeyi's promise. If not for Kambar, Emperor Dasaratha's integrity would be called into question.
In the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana, it is written that
Ravana carries Sita away by grabbing her hair with one hand and her thigh with
the other, placing her in a chariot, and abducting her. But in the Kamba
Ramayana, Kambar, not wishing to dishonor another man's wife, writes that
Ravana lifted the entire place where Sita was sitting and carried it away.
Here, no physical touching occurs.
In the Valmiki Ramayana, it is written that they hunted a deer, roasted it with ghee, and ate it. But in the Kamba Ramayana, Rama is depicted as a vegetarian, because Buddhism was prevalent in Tamil Nadu at that time.
I will not
accept the act of cutting down a tree full of beautiful leaves, fruits,
flowers, and berries, root and all, to make medicine.
I would
accept it only if, while allowing the tree to remain alive,
a few leaves
and a few flowers are plucked
to make the
medicine and provide treatment.
This
cultural thought is the underlying meaning of this Sangam poem.
Similarly,
Sangam
literature advises that the king should not collect taxes to the extent that it
destroys the wealth of his citizens.
Just as a
bee sits on a flower without plucking it and gently extracts only the nectar,
the king
should collect taxes without causing distress to the public
and without
diminishing their livelihood.
This is the
central theme of this literary nuance from Sangam literature.
1, Antiquity,
"Tolkappiyam"
is the grammar book of tamil language. It has laid down the grammar not only
for language but also for life.
2, Noble
ideas and ideals
Seeing the sorrow in your eyes, the friend gently comforts you, saying,
“Raja Ganesh, who holds you dearly in his heart, is not far in spirit. Just as
the great tusked elephant breaks the tender-branched yam tree to feed and
protect his beloved, he too will remember his love and duty—and will soon
return to you with the same gentle strength.”
சுனைவாய்ச் சிறுநீரை எய்தாதென் றெண்ணி
பிணைமான் இனிதுண்ண வேண்டி - கலைமாதன்
கள்ளத்தின் ஊச்சும் சுரம் என்பர் காதலர்
உள்ளம் படர்ந்த நெறி. - 38.
There is only a little water in the chunai. Thinking that the female deer will not leave the male deer and eat it alone, the male deer will put his mouth in the water and pretend to drink. They say that is the way your lover went. When he sees such a deer, he will remember you. Saying this, the friend consoles the leader.
கைப்பன எல்லாம் கடைதலை தித்திப்ப
மெச்சும் வகையால் ஒழிந்த இடையாகத்
துய்க்க முறை வகையால் ஊண்
Tamils have been excellent in food habits. Even today, the only society
that has retained all that taste is the Tamil society.
First, you should eat the things that make you hungry, then the food that is
directly consumed, and then the foods that are necessary for digestion. No one
else in the world has such a diet.
Philosophies
were created 2000 years ago and many people have written about them but why is
there so much knowledge in Tamil alone? The reason is nothing else.
In
Europe, they wrote on the shoulders of animals, but you can't write much on
them.
In
the same field, Tamils wrote a lot on palm leaves, which are still available
today. There were enough pairs of them to make a tractor at my house.
3, individuality
2000 years ago in Europe, it was
written on animal skin, which is very difficult.
In China, they wrote on clay, but in
Tamil , writing was created on palm leaves, which is why countless Sangam
literatures are found here.
4, Common
character
புறநானூற்றில் உள்ள கணியன் பூங்குன்றனாரின் புகழ் பெற்ற பாடலான “யாதும் ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர்”
All towns are mine. Everyone is my relative.
Any adversity that strikes you or anything good that happens to you is not because of others. It's entirely of your making.
Worry or comfort doesn't come from others. If your mind is mature enough, worries won't affect you. And you will not rejoice over comfort either.
Nor is death something new. It has been there from time immemorial, from the day man was born.
Don't get unduly excited about pleasant happenings in life. Similarly, don't get unduly perturbed about bitter happenings in life and hate it either. Be level headed that happiness and sorrow constitute life equally.
The sky gives hot lightning as well as cold rain. Just as a boat struggles its way hitting and missing through a wild river that rushes along crushing and gathering stones, life also goes on amidst adversities and pleasant happenings. Be clear that this is the nature of life.
If you have this clarity, you'll not unduly look high upon those at the top. What is more, you will certainly not look down upon those who are down below in the ladder of success. Each one is great in his own life.
5, Neutrality
அறனீனும் இன்பமும் ஈனும் திறன்அறிந்து
தீதின்றி வந்த பொருள்"
திறன்அறிந்து குற்றமின்றி வந்த பொருளானது அறத்தையும் கொடுக்கும், இன்பத்தையும் கொடுக்கும் என்பது பாடலின் பொருள்.
The meaning of the song is that a thing that is acquired without fault, knowing its ability, will bring virtue and pleasure.
Merchant's virtue -
Merchants traded with a neutral mind, like a yoke between two oxen in the ploughman's plough. They spoke the truth without changing their words, fearing that they would be reprimanded.
They considered the goods they gave and the goods they bought from others to be of equal value. Therefore, neither buying more than the value nor giving less than the value did not exist in their lives.
6,
Parental conceives
On this earth where many living beings are born and live, from elephants to ants, they should live happily.
Arunagirinathar has sung that the mother carries the fetus for ten months and gives birth to it as a sorrowful act.
7,
Culture and art independent
Baanars are those who play musical
instruments. That is, those who play musical instruments in a certain order.
Those who make (create) music can also be called "Baanars". Not only
that, they also have a great profession of singing songs, dancing to songs, and
staging plays. They used to go to many places like nomads and entertain people
with these arts.
Among the Baanars who play musical
instruments,
Those who play the small yajna
with seven strings are called "Sirupanars". Those who play the large
yajna with twenty-one (21) strings are called "Perumpanars"..
8, Noble ideas and ideals
This is called a moving temple, according to the people of Apparadi, where Shiva's grace is received. According to Thirumoolar, moving temples are the place where Shiva rises! Without realizing the beauty of the living beings that move like this, it is not justice to separate them on the basis of caste or tribe; it is not right. Showing difference in birth is not a great virtue. Even if there is a difference due to morals, it can be shown. Even that is not accepted by the grace of Apparadi.
The pond will have a water content and water spread according to the land on which it is built. How should the pond be built? Where should it be built? The eighty-eighth book Sirupanchamoolam (Canto 64) tells how to build the pond.
A line is a channel through which flood water flows out of the pond. The villagers still say that when the pond overflows, crores of water has flowed away.
9,
Linguistic principles
No religious sculptures have been found in archaeological research in Tamil life. The Silappathikaram song, which begins with praising nature, celebrates nature in the song that begins with praising the rain.
10,Originality
In the days when people living 50 kilometers away were not known,
A poet addresses the king and says, "If it weren't for you and your country, there are so many countries in the world for me to live in."
It is true that "Valter", "Rousseau" and "George Washington" were pioneers and pioneers in the fight against political slavery.
Love's Philosophy," by Percy Bysshe Shelley
“The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever,
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one another's being mingle:—
Why not I with thine?
See! the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea:—
What are all these kissing's worth,
If thou kiss not me?”
The song that Shelley wrote is similar to our song, so I'm not ready to say that he just came here to make cope, but we were for them 1500 years ago.
கல்லோட கல் உரச கடலு தண்ணீர் மீன் உரச உன்னோடு நானுரச உலகம் பொருட்கலையே
What happened to the great scholar Socrates? He was sentenced to death by the government of his time. Similarly, Gopher Nicks, who opposed Christianity and claimed that the Earth is round—a view rejected by the Church at the time—was also executed. The current Pope has since apologized for that injustice.
Interestingly, one of the key reasons for the advancement of scientific research in Tamil Nadu is that three individuals who held senior positions at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics were educated in Tamil.
Antiquity of Iron
Recent studies have confirmed that
the Tamils were among the first in the world to discover and use iron. It was
once believed that iron and steel were first used in Turkey around the 13th
century BCE. However, new evidence suggests otherwise.
"The ancient Iron Age of Tamil
Nadu was contemporary with the Copper Age of the Indus Valley Civilization. We
have now established that the iron samples recovered from sites like Sivakalai
and Adichanallur are between 2,500 and 3,000 years old. To further strengthen
these findings, excavations should be conducted not only in Tamil Nadu but also
across other parts of India."
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