Is it true that Tamil culture is the flagship culture among all human cultures?

 

Let’s check it out.Here’s a list of salient features of Tamil culture that are unique to it:

Language& Literature

• Tamil is the oldest spoken language of the world still surviving. Read Alvaro Hans's answer to What language is closest to the oldest language ever spoken?
• All major languages in the world are related to Tamil ,in a way.Read Alvaro Hans's answer to What would be the first language if all languages were born from the Tower of Babel?
• Tamil is the only language which has 3 independent branches each for Iyal(Prose),Isai(Music),Koothu(Drama).
• Tamil is the only language which has 2 independent wings of literature Aham(Love life) and Puram(War life).
• Tamil is the only language in the world which has classified its land into 5 types,namely: Kurinji(mountainous),Mullai(forest),Marudham(farm lands),Neithal(coastal),Palai(desert).
• Tamil is the only language in the world which has the unique universal book for righteous living called Tirukural written 2500 years ago.
• Tamil is the only language in the world which had 3 Sangams(Academy) for development of Tamil,over a pretty long period of more than 10,000 years,
• Tamil is the only language in the world which claims that it originated from ‘within’ தம் +உள் Tham(within)+Ul(in).While all other languages are spoken from tongue,Tamil is believed to be spoken from the heart.
• Tamil is the most logical/scientific language with least myths ruling word formation.E.g:

#Thalai(head)>Thalaivan(leader)>Thalayaya(prime)>Thalai sirantha(famous)

#Aan(male)=one who rules

#Penn(female)=one who cares

• Tamil is the only language in the world which has the unique letter ழ with a special pronunciation.

• Tamil is the only language in the world which is based on pure natural phonetics.Most of its core sounds may be made easily without any effort.
• Tamil is the only language in the world which has words beginning with A அ for calling all family members who are elder to the baby learning Tamil. The baby learns these words fast as they are based on natural sounds.

Amma—Mother

Appa—-Father

Anna—Elder Brother

Akka—Elder Sister

Athai—Aunt

Anni—Anna’s wife

• Tamil is the only language in the world which has no more than 3 or 4 letters for most of its core words.

Anbu அன்பு Love ,

Panbu பண்பு Character,

Soru சோறு Food ,

Paal பால் Milk ,

Thannee தண்ணீர் Water,

Thagamதாகம் Thirst ,

Odu ஓடுRun,

AaduஆடுDance ,

PaaduபாடுSing ,

PaduபடுLie(down) ,

Iruஇரு Sit

etc

• ‘Tamil has the gravity of expression ,not found in any other language’ according to Russian Tamil scholar Alexander Dubiansky.Read “Tamil has gravity of expression not found in any language'' .One has to know Tamil intimately to know what he means.Such is the ease,beauty and soul appeal of Tamil expressions.A few examples may help:

#Look at how the simple word ‘Polama’(shall we go?)sounds in this ad !

In another ad,the husband presents a gold ring to his wife and the wife asks how he got it.Husband replies’Summa koduthanga!’சும்மா கொடுத்தாங்க !(they gave it free just like that!).Wife replies cutely but sarcastically ’Aama,summa kodupaanga!ஆமா !சும்மா கொடுப்பாங்க !’The beauty of this expression can be felt only if one understands Tamil.

# Melodious pair of words that are unique to Tamil makes expressions smooth,easy and good on ears.

‘I was so angry,I gave him left and right’in Tamil is,’Enakku ketta kobam,parthukka! Kanna pinnanu veluthu vaangitten!எனக்கு கெட்ட கோபம் ,பார்த்துக்க .கன்னா பின்னான்னு வெளுத்து வாங்கிட்டேன் ! (I had bad anger,you see!I washed him ‘kanna pinna’!) the phrase ‘Kanna pinna’sounds musical but with no meaning except being onomatopoeic .But the flow sounds so effective for the situation.

Mom warns her daughter,’Don’t bring a boy and tell me tthat I’m in love’ in Tamil sounds beautiful!”Kathal keethalnu yevanayavathu1kootittu vantha1,mavale,appa irukku unakku !’ காதல் கீதல்னு எவனையாவது கூட்டிட்டு வந்தே ,மவளே ,அப்போ இருக்கு உனக்கு ! Don’t miss the phrase ’Kaathal keethal’ which sounds melodious but means ‘love like’.

Some more such phrases

Sandai,sacharavu

Nalum,kizhmayuma

Piranthanalum,athuvuma

Pandiyana,kokka

Velai vetty

Pulu poochi

Etc.

Arts & Music

Tamil boasts of the most advanced forms of arts,performing arts and music.

Tamil Art forms:

Bharatha Natyam—The flagship dance of India

Credit:Tamil news

Folk Dance

Credit:Tour My India

Karagattam

Kummi

Image Credit:Tipota

Kolaattam

Image Credit:Getty Images

Mayilaattam

Image Credit:Coastweek

Folk Songs

Credit:Youtube

Parai Attam/Thappattam

Image Credit:Youtube

Many more!

Carnatic Music

The flagship music of India,Carnatic Music is of Tamil origin.

Tamil Dress forms

Men— Vetti

Image Credit:Nick Pipers Blog

Women— Saree

Image Credit:Myntra

Girls-Paavadai Thavani

Makes her look like a beautiful butterfly!

Image Credit:Lehenga

Many more !

Tamil Music:

Linguists specialising in music trace most of the ‘core musical terminology’to Tamil roots.Here are a few examples:

Mettu(Tamil)>Metre

Thembu>Tempo

Attam>Alto

Abaranam>>Ornament

Etc.

Unlike other languages,Tamil has a separate branch for music called ‘Isai Tamil’. For example,languages like Hindi just sing some prose lines with a tune and make it as music.Tamil,however has separate rules like Ethugai,Monai etc. for composing songs.

Just listen to this Tamil song!

Every word ends with ‘thaan’sound but carries a different meaning!

Rich pun in Tamil.Take a look at this poem by Kalamegam.

காளமேகப்புலவர் பெண்ணிடம் போட்டப் புதிர்.........

பூநக்கி ஆறுகால்; புள்இனத்துக்கு ஒன்பதுகால்;
ஆனைக்கு கால் பதினேழ் ஆனதே; மானே! கேள்!

English Translation:

Cat has 6 legs:birds have 9 legs!

Elephant has 17 legs!

He goes to explain what he means by the pun words!

Poonakki=cat ,also Poo+Nakki =That which sucks flower i.e. honey bee!

• Values Of Life

Tamil people have unique concepts/values for righteous living which no other culture has. Aram is a value package that regulates the Tamilian’s life.What is Aram? Please read ‘ARAM’- The unique Tamil prescription for a righteous and worthy living ! by Alvaro Hans on Alvaros Mind for an intro to the subject.

Money is NOT a driving force for the Tamilians

Since the Tamil life is driven by values,money has little role in Tamilian’s life.This does not mean that Tamilians were not advanced in matters of finance. In fact,all core English words in finance trace their origin to Tamil only.Please read Alvaro Hans's answer to What is the etymology of the word (money related) 'bank'? & Alvaro Hans's answer to The Tamils were the top traders of the ancient world. Why are they not figuring in the top billionaires of the world now? for more in this regard.

Relationships

Tamilians attach much importance to relationships within the family. Each relative has a specific title and role attached to it.

Title—Role—-Values learnt

Amma—Mother—-Love,Care

Appa—-Father—-Discipline,Survival,Earning money

Anna—Elder Brother—Second Appa

Akka—Elder Sister——Second Amma

Athan-Sister’s husband—Brother-like

Athai—Aunt————-Friendly lap,loving aunt

Anni—Anna’s wife—-Next to Amma

Thatha—Grand Father—Source of love,teaching values of the family

Patti—-Grand Mother—Big Mom,more liberal

Periamma-Mom’s elder sister—Large size Mom !

Chitti——-Mom’s younger sister—Liberal little Mom

Mama——Mom’s brother——Closest uncle

Rules for war engagement

Tamils are pioneers in framing ethical rules for war engagements.Few interesting rules are:

• Pre war warning by a herald
• War declaration by capturing the cattle of the enemy nation ‘Aanirai kavarthal’.
• Women,children,Nobles not to be harmed.
• Ambassadors should be treated with respect.
• Soldiers should not be hit on the back.
• Soldiers should not turn to their back as it is a sign of cowardice
• Wounded should be treated
• POW should be treated well.

Home Values

• Hospitality —Every beggar should be fed with kanji food with pickle.
• Thinnai——Every house had ‘thinnai’ for travellers to sleep overnight apart from free lodges called’chathiram’.
• Respect elders especially Grandpa,Granny.

Tamil unique names

Tamil names are original and mostly logical with understandable meanings.A few examples:

Women:

Thean Mozhi(Honey like speech)

Maan Vizhi (Doe eyed)

Thendral(Breeze)

Men:

Mathi Maran(Wise man)

Eppodhum Vendran(Invincible)

Veerasami(God of boldness)

Affinity for Tamil in names

Tamil Selvan(Tamil wealth)

Tamil Magal(Tamil’s daughter)

Medicine

• Siddha is the only system in the world based on the principle,’Unave marunthu;marunthe unavu’ meaning’Food is the medicine;medicine is food’
• Yoga,the well-known global form of exercise is of Tamil origin.

Alvaro Hans's answer to What does the word yoga mean in Sanskrit?

Other fields

Read:

• Alvaro Hans's answer to What are the unique Tamil names for ornaments worn on the ear?
• Alvaro Hans's answer to Question to people from India: Who is a famous author from your state/native language whose works that you think are most influential? Why?
• Alvaro Hans's answer to Why is Tamil so sweet and why does it sound like music by default?
• Alvaro Hans's answer to What language is closest to the oldest language ever spoken?
• Alvaro Hans's answer to What are the in-built cultural safeguards in Tamil culture that protect women from sexual exploitation?
• Alvaro Hans's answer to Why do Tamilians say "Tamilanda"? What does it mean?

(Originally published in Quora in July 28,2018)

WHAT ARE THE LINGUISTIC MYTHS OF INDIA ?

TAMIL LANGUAGE WAS CREATED BY ONE short SAINT !

SANSKRIT IS A LANGUAGE WITHOUT SPEAKERS !

MOTHERS NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK MOTHER-TONGUE !

WHAT ARE THE LINGUISTIC MYTHS OF INDIA ? 

This is an interesting question indeed.

Many linguists do feel that linguistics as a subject in India was evolved more as an effective tool of political governance than as a science.The ruling British achieved their objective to subdue the people of the land and rule over them with ease,through linguistics.This is,in fact ,true of the British rule throughout the world.

The main objective behind the linguistics teaching is not knowing various languages ,history etc. but would be to perpetuate myths that would project the rulers as linguistically superior to the subjects,hence fit to rule.Ruler’s language will be projected as a superior language ,thus supplementing their projected image of physical superiority.Superior in complexion,superior in culture and superior in language they speak.Thus the languages of the subjects ruled by the British were shown in poor light.

In this linguistic strategy ,the British made the powerful Indian intelligentsia,especially the Brahmins,their willing allies by linking their English with Sanskrit,the favourite talk of the Brahmins.

In the circumstances,linguistics as a subject has myriad of inconsistent myths floating around unquestioned.A group of IE scholars who researched into this subject in 2016 threw up some interesting myths so far unknown.

Here are few of their findings:

1. MYTH About origin of Sanskrit !

For any language to ORIGINATE,there must be a NATIVE SPEAKER COMMUNITY.The Indo-European family of languages have 449 member languages.Among these,Sanskrit is the ONLY language which has NO NATIVE SPEAKER community.Linguists raise the question,’How did Sanskrit originate without a native speaker community?’ As no satisfactory answer for this question is available,they conclude that Sanskrit is a made-up or constructed code and not a natural language.Sanskrrit has been made up by people whose mother-tongue is a non-Sanskrit language,like,say Tamil.

2.MYTH Sanskrit as a mother-tongue!

Hindu scriptures and traditions prohibited women from chanting Sanskrit( words or verses.

(vide 'Women are not allowed to study or chant the Vedas.' - the lowdown Women are not allowed to study or chant the Vedas. Orthodoxy still does not permit girls to receive Vedic initiation )

The Hindus

 

So,mothers being naturally women, were prohibited from chanting Sanskrit.Hence ,Sanskrit could not become a mother-tongue for the children.

Linguists point out that this is the main reason for the lack of a native speaker community for Sanskrit.

3.MYTH Sanskrit is a CODE only!

Linguists specialising in language origination clarify that there cannot be any language THAT IS/WAS NEVER SPOKEN.If any thing is not spoken ,then it is termed as CODE and NOT LANGUAGE.

However,a language need not have a WRITING script as a must.

4 MYTH Indian sub-continent never had a language called Tamil !

Indian linguistics talk so much about lot of imaginary languages and scripts.Devanagari,Prakrit,Pali etc. are referred to quite often but the texts never refer to the existence of Tamil language in its historical linguistics.While Tamil was a pan-Indian language since or earlier to Indus Valley Civilization days circa 3300 B.C.,Indian linguistics do not refer to Tamil and its presence across India in its texts at all.If a search for the word Tamil is made in linguistic texts,the result turned out is likely to be dismal.

For example,a search for the word Tamil made in Sanskrit - Wikipedia turned out result as nil ! However,the very word Sanskrit itself is proved to be from Tamil vide Alvaro Hans's answer to Can you give a single evidence to support the fact that Tamil is an older language than Sanskrit?

For a list of proxy words used in linguistics to avoid the word Tamil,please refer to https://www.quora.com/Why-did-pr...

Indian linguistics also suppresses the major factor that every language has to have a native speakercommunity essentially.Here are a few languages of India without any kind of people linked to it:

Sanskrit,Prakrit,Pali,Devanagari etc. By repeated reference to these imaginary languages,readers are made to believe that such languages existed without people linked to it.

5.MYTH : Devanagari-A script without a language !

Sanskrit enthusiasts with the support of Govt. of India have perpetuated a myth that there is a script called Devanagari that is used by every Indian language including the great Tamil! Linguists confirm that NO SCRIPT CAN EVOLVE WITHOUT A SPOKEN LANGUAGE PRECEDING IT.That is SCRIPT evolves after a phase of SPOKEN LANGUAGE. They point out there was never a people or language called Devanagari at any point of time in Indian history.Then,how can a script originate on its own?they ask.

Some linguists feel that Devanagari script is nothing but Tamil script as great Tamil would not have or need not borrow a script from an unknown source called Devanagari.The significant resemblance between Tamil alphabets and Hindi alphabets prove this contention.Most of the Hindi letters are just altered Tamil letters only with a cap on.

6.MYTH: Many Indian Spoken languages originated from an unspoken script!

According to approved texts Sanskrit is the root of all north-Indian languages like Hindi,Gujarati,Marathi etc.Linguists are of the opinion that an unspoken code cannot be the source of any spoken language.Then,how can sterile Sanskrit be the mother of so many live spoken tongues?they ask.

7.MYTH:Sanskrit is not related to Indian neighbour Tamil but to far-off European languages!

Sanskrit in India is generally linked to the Aryans who are reputed to have entered India sometime in the B.C.era.It’s generally believed that the Aryans brought Sanskrit when they entered India.But history is that when they entered India,they did not bring with them any developed language.They seem to have spoken some crude language bordering the Vedic language.The language didn’t have any script or developed literature when they entered India. Later,the Vedas were composed in India and the name Sanskrit itself was assigned much later ,say by B.C. 450 or so by Panini,the grammarian.

Sanskrit,thus was born in India clearly.When a language is born in India,the influence of the then ruling/mass language of India,i.e.Tamil cannot be http://avoided.In the circumstances,the chances of far-off European languages influencing Sanskrit(or vice versa ) is ruled out.

Some may raise a doubt that if Sanskrit and IE languages are not connected,how do we explain the similar words between Sanskrit and some IE languages? Please read Alvaro Hans's answer to If Tamil is believed to be the oldest language, then why is English vocabulary largely derived from ancient Greek and not from Tamil? for an insight. Linguists point out that many Sanskrit words are rooted in Tamil diction.

8.MYTH: Sanskrit is the ONLY Deva Bhasha!

Alvaro Hans's answer to Why is Tamil not considered as 'Deva bhasha'?

‘Deva bhasha’ means ‘language of Gods’.

Following are the languages reportedly or believed to have been spoken by various major known Gods,among themselves or to ‘man’.

· Yahweh -God of Old Testament Bible-Hebrew Language

· Jesus Christ-Son of God-Aramaic Language

· Greek Gods-Zeus,Apollos,Eros,etc.-Greek Language

· Tamil Gods-Sivan,Murugan,Pillayar etc.-Tamil Language .Sivan and Murugan loved Tamil Language.Sivan was head of one Tamil Sangam,taking the name’Irayanar’ meaning’God

· ’Non-Tamil Indian Gods-Language spoken,not clear.Sanskrit?

So’Deva Basha’is ‘not language used by ‘man’ to speak/pray to God ’ as given to understand.The Gods listed above spoke ‘human languages’ only,which can be understood by ‘man’ as well.Tamil has also an ocean of ‘Bhakthi literature’ in praise of some Gods including Jesus Christ.The Tamil anthology’Thembavani’ is in praise of Joseph,the earthly father of Jesus Christ.

So,the fore-going points make it clear that Tamil should be considered as ‘Deva Basha’ along with other similar languages.

9. MYTH Sanskrit is a classical language !

A  classical language needs to be a LANGUAGE first of all to qualify for Classical Language status. It is now proved that Sanskrit IS NOT A LANGUAGE BUT A CODE ONLY.Linguists have raised a question ,’How can a CODE be declared as a Classical Language?

Thus,the myth of Indian linguistics that Sanskrit is the ONLY Deva Bhasha of India has been busted now.

There are many more ancillary myths floating around to supplement these major myths.However,since the internet is now open to every one,these myths have been busted and we know what is true now.

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