REPORT ON THE 36th A.I.C.D.L. HELD AT ERODE
FROM 19th TO 21st JUNE 2008

Erode in Tamil Nadu is the birthplace of two of its illustrious sons - the great traditional grammarian Bhava Nandi, the author of Nannul, and the social reformer E.V. Ramaswami Nayakar affectionately known as Periyar. This city where Sri Vasavi College is functioning was the venue for the 36th All India Conference of Dravidian Linguists. Scholars representing foreign countries like Japan, Netherlands and Yemen besides those from various states in India viz. Punjab, Rajasthan, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh participated in the conference.

Inauguration and Unveiling the Portrait of Periyar

The inaugural function was scheduled on 19th June 2008 at 10 a.m. Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, former Chief Minister of Karnataka, a well known litterateur, an eminent politician and Chairman of the Governing Council of the International School of Dravidian Linguistics who was to inaugurate could not attend the function due to certain urgent preoccupations. In his absence, Dr. V.I. Subramoniam, Hon. Professor and founder of

I.S.D.L. delivered the inaugural address after unveiling a beautiful oil painting of Periyar. He mentioned that the D.L.A. was honoured by holding the conference to pay homage to Periyar at Erode where the great social reformer lived for 94 long years from 1879 to 1973. He paid glorious tributes to Periyar recalling his social commitments to attain equality and the movement led by him for the uplift of non-Brahmins. He also expressed his desire to visit the house of Periyar, now maintained as a museum. Prof. Subramoniam in his brief speech highlighted the achievements of D.L.A., I.S.D.L. and IJDL in a matter of fact and stern voice and urged the younger scholars to develop all that has been achieved in the past with great endeavour.

Dr. A. Govindankutty Menon, President of the D.L.A., Prof. V. Sivakumar, Principal, Sri Vasavi College, Dr. U.P. Upadhyaya, Govinda Pai Research Centre, Dr. K. Nachimuthu, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dr. B. Gopinathan Nair, Hon. Director, I.S.D.L. spoke on the occasion stressing the achievements of D.L.A. and its sister organizations like the I.S.D.L., IJDL and DLA News in promoting Dravidian Linguistic Studies and allied fields in India and abroad for the last 36 years and the enthusiasm of the younger generation to attend the annual conferences of the D.L.A. to present papers and take part in discussions.

The D.L.A. honoured the Chief Guests with a shawl and Dr.Naduvattom Gopalakrishnan proposed a vote of thanks.

Academic Presidential Address

Prof. A. Govindankutty Menon, President of the D.L.A. delivered the academic presidential address on Dravidian Linguistics in the Colonial World where he elaborated the contributions of Dutch East India Company to the promotion of Tamil Malayalam languages on the context of spreading Christianity.

Periyar Memorial Endowment Lecture

Dr. T.P. Sankarankutty Nair, well known historian delivered the Periyar Memorial Endowment lecture where he elaborated the contributions of Periyar as a social reformer. Dr. Puthussery Ramachandran presided over the meeting and later concluded the session with his critical observations.

Gundert Prize for the Best Dictionary Rs. 3,000/-

Prof. V.I. Subramoniam distributed Dr. Hermann Gundert Prize for the best dictionary to Dr. P. Nazeemdeen for his work on Polish-English-Tamil Dictionary (2007). The award carries a citation and cash prize of Rs. 3,000/-.

Presentation of `Dravidian Encyclopaedia' to Sri Vasavi College

The Principal of the Sri Vasavi College, Prof. V. Sivakumar was presented with a set of the monumental 3-volume Dravidian Encyclopaedia published by I.S.D.L. for its library.

Presentation of Tribal Dravidian Encyclopaedia to Periyar Museum and Library

A set of the 3-volume Encyclopaedia of Dravidian Tribes published by I.S.D.L. has been presented to the Periyar Museum and Library.

D.L.A. Book Exhibition

A book exhibition with all publications till date pertaining to D.L.A., I.S.D.L. and IJDL volumes was exhibited in a room before the registration counter.

Valedictory Function

The valedictory function of the 36th A.I.C.D.L. was held on 21st June 2008 at 3 p.m. in the Sri Vasavi College Auditorium. Prof. Puthussery Ramachandran delivered the valedictory address. In a brief speech, Puthussery thanked the organizers for the honour done to him by inviting him to deliver the valedictory address.

Prof. A. Govindankutty Menon addressed the audience. Prof. B. Gopinathan Nair presented a brief academic report about the number of participants
from various states and papers presented both at the common and parallel sessions.

About 70 delegates participated including three from foreign countries and a number from various states of India. Four common sessions were held.

Prof. Peri Bhaskara Rao from Tokyo gave a very impressive and informative talk on Toda paternity.

Prof. T.P. Sankarankutty Nair talked on the Contribution of Periyar.

Prof. V.I. Subramoniam gave a lecture tracing the growth of linguistic studies from early period up to modern period where it is more concerned with language technology, computational linguistics, automatic translation,text-to-speech system etc. and to cope with these modern trends.

Prof. Panchanan Mohanty took the initiative for a common discussion on Theoretical Linguistics and its Impact on Computational Linguistics. Dr. Govindankutty Menon, Dr. Nagaraja, Prof. V.I. Subramoniam, Dr. Mahidas Bhattacharya and several others actively participated in the debate.

Fifty papers were presented in eleven academic sessions covering important areas of Linguistics viz. sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, computational linguistics, language teaching, morphology and syntax etc. There was active participation from the delegates.

Business Meetings of I.S.D.L., IJDL and D.L.A.

1. Governing Council Meeting of isdl

The I.S.D.L. Governing Council Meeting took place at the Conference Hall, Sri Vasavi College, Erode on 18th June 2008 at 3 p.m. Dr. Govindankutty
Menon chaired the session in the absence of Dr. M. Veerappa Moily. Prof. V.I. Subramoniam briefed the activities of I.S.D.L.

The Academic and Administrative Report for 2007-08, the audited statements for 2006-07, the pre-audited income and expenditure statement for
2007-08 and the Budget Proposal for 2008-2009 were presented and unanimously approved by the Governing Council.

2. Executive Committee Meeting of IJDL

The annual meeting of the executive committee of IJDL took place at the Conference Hall, Sri Vasavi College, Erode on 18th June 2008 at 5 p.m. Prof. V.I. Subramoniam, Hon. Editor chaired the session. Prof. B. Gopinathan Nair gave a brief account of the annual report and review of the editorial activities. The annual report for 2007-08, audited statements for 2006-07, pre-audited income and expenditure statement for 2007-08 and Budget Proposal for 2008-2009 were presented and unanimously approved by the Executive Committee.

3. General Body Meeting of D.L.A.

Three condolence resolutions on the demise of Prof. P.C. Ganeshsundaram, Prof. K. Nagamma Reddy and Prof. Vedamani Manuel who were associated with D.L.A. and its sister organizations were read out in the D.L.A. General Body Meeting on 19th June 2008. The members paid homage to the departed souls by standing in prayer for two minutes.

The General Body approved the Academic and Administrative report of the D.L.A. for the year 2007-08, the pre-audited income and expenditure statement for 2007-08 and the Budget Proposal for 2008-2009.

Institution of an Endowment by D.L.A. in the name of late Prof. K. Nagamma Reddy

Prof. B. Ramakrishna Reddy has promised to donate a sum sufficient for institution of an Endowment Lecture in the name of his wife Prof. K. Nagamma Reddy and requested the General Body of the D.L.A. to constitute it. It was agreed to institute the endowment after receiving the money.

Reaction of Participants

Two participants, Mr. Mohammed Q. Al Shormani from Yemen and A. Govindankutty Menon from Netherlandsexpressed their words of gratitude and the academic fulfilment they had obtained by attending the conference.

Cultural Programme

The dance performances on the evening of 19th June 2008 by students of Sri Vasavi College entertained the audience for an hour.

New Office-Bearers of D.L.A.

President: Dr. B. Ramakrishna Reddy, former Professor of Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and former Registrar, Dravidian University, Kuppam and a known researcher in Tribal Dravidian languages has been elected to be the President of the Dravidian Linguistics Association for the year 2008-2009.

Vice-Presidents: Prof. Pabitra Sarkar, former Vice-Chairman, West Bengal State Council of Higher Education and Vice-Chancellor, Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta has been elected as one of the Vice-Presidents representing West Bengal.

Dr. M. Rama, former Professor of Kannada and Linguistics, University of Kerala and former Treasurer and Secretary of D.L.A. has been elected as Vice President representing Kerala.

Prof. M. Krishna Bhattacharya, former Professor of Linguistics, University of Calcutta has been elected as one of the Secretaries representing West Bengal.

B. Gopinathan Nair
Mahidas Bhattacharya

IJDL VOLUME XXXVII NUMBER 2 RELEASED

The June 2008 issue of International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics was released last month. The following is a summary of its contents.

TREATMENT OF `WOMAN'S BEAUTY' IN SANGAM SONGS
[Continued from last issue]

5. Vilankil: Elamceri Cattanar in Akam 81st song chose Vilankil - a place owned by the brave and munificent king Katalan - as an object of comparison with the eyes of the heroine.
    

6. Nalannati: Nalannati was in Kutal, the ancient emporium of Pandya dynasty. It was famous for perfumes. In Akam 93, Nakkiranar gives the following description on the beauty of a heroine:

            `Her forehead emanates sweet smell
            Like the Nalannati of kutal
            Having long hair she bears
            The colour of tender leaf of Mango tree.'

7. Neytalam Ceru: Neytalam ceru is mentioned in Akam 113 by Kallatanar while describing the beauty of the shoulders of a heroine. The poet took the wealth of the land, which has `Neytalam ceru' as capital, as an object to compare the seductive shoulder of the heroine. `Neytalam
   ceru' is noted for the abundance of toddy that of course creates intoxication. The heroine's shoulder had such a power of attraction. }
    

8. 8. Palani: Mamulanar in Akam 61 mentions the greatness of Tiruvenkatam and Potini (palani) to illustrate the deep love of a hero towards his lady-love. "Even though the hero got the Venkatam hills, he could not leave you. How could he forget the sweetness of your body", wondered the maid. She continued:

            `Your body having fine chest
            That adorned the carved ornaments
            Is like the prosperous city of Palani
            Owned by Evi of famous Velir dynasty
            How far your lover could ignore it
            And stay away in such a distant place.'

Here the poet equates the seductiveness of the woman's body with the pride of Palani.

9. Kuutanatu: Mamulanar in Akam 115 made the following description while presenting the anguish of a heroine in the wake of separation:

            `Let the virtue of my grace
            which is comparable to Kutanatu of
            Erumai who bears fine ornaments
            May ruin or not
            Let my beloved live with prosperity.'

Context: The hero went for acquiring wealth in a distant place. He could not return within the stipulated time. The maid reminded her mistress about this. Then the mistress replied that whatever the consequences be, she could not blame her lover.

It is strange to see that almost all early classical literature of old languages, except Tamil, deals with religious themes. Ancient Tamil literature, especially the Akam and Puram literature, narrated non-religious themes in a unique way. For example, the treatment of a woman's beauty as we experienced in Sangam songs has no similarities to quote even today. The narration of a woman's beauty needed special studies in areas like the selection of objects for comparison, the employment of figures of speech in descriptions, and the creation of dramatic situations. Theories hidden in narration is another aspect to be investigated. Indeed, the literature of Sangam period, especially Akam songs, deserves studies at all levels.

Naduvattom Gopalakrishnan

LANDMARK IN CHENNAI TO DISAPPEAR

The building that gave Madras its name is passing into history. The term Madras is traced to the family name of Portuguese traders.

The 250-year-old building in Chennai is giving way to a new building, erasing a landmark in the history of India. Pushpa Iyengar reporting from Chennai in Outlook 27 May - 2 June 2008, pp. 66, 67 writes: "Fort St. George - which currently houses the assembly - was the seat of the British East India Company after the first governor, George Foxcroft, arrived in 1666. But with its buildings damaged in a battle in 1749 with the French, the then-Governor, Thomas Saunders, rented a house belonging to Antonia de Madeiros in 1752. The de Madeiros family of San Thome were prosperous Portuguese traders, from whom the name Madras is said to have originated. Along with the building, rare specimens of Dravidian architecture are also disappearing."

R.M. Girji

ADDITIONS TO THE I.S.D.L. LIBRARY

Gifts from C.I.I.L.

Malati Mathur (Tr.), 2006, Remembering Amma, New Delhi: Katha Publications.

Manavai Mustafa, 2006, Maruthva Kalanciya Perakarati, Chennai: Manavai.

Manavallan, A.A., 2005, Ramakathayum Ramayanangalum,Chennai: Tenaha.

Nagaswamy, R., 2005, Kalvettu Thunaivan, Chennai: Tamizhars.

Ooran Adigal, 2005, Thirumulamum Valluvarum, Samara Sanmarga Araichi Ninavu.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

OLD BENGALI SYNTAX : Subhadrakumar Sen

This monograph deals with the Syntax of two ancient texts, Carya and Doha. The author has restricted his study to Old Bengali which covers only one-fourth part of a single codex. The codex was discovered by Mr. Hariprasad Sastri in Nepal. Textual variations and other alternations like the ones made by Sukumar Sen are examined and accepted. The wide reading of the author especially in Indo-Aryan languages and the German language has enriched his statements on Old Bengali in several places. Following the introduction, the old Bengali syntax is discussed in six chapters viz. Gender, Number, Concord and Case Endings, Syntax of Cases, Post Positions, Adjective and Pronoun, Verb and Sentence Structure and ends with a bibliography.

CANKA ILAKKIYA VATIVANKAL (`Verbs Available from Sangam Classics'): Koovai Maniyan

This book describing the verbs available from Sangam Classics was released in Chennai in a function headed by Arutselvar N. Mahalingam. Dr. Sundaramathy and Dr. R. Krishnamurthy evaluated the book. Mrs. Thayammal Aravanan made all arrangement for the release of the book. The index of verbs in this book would help in the exact study of the Sangam Classics.

DANCE AND MUSIC OF SOUTH INDIA : V.S. Sharma

In this monograph, the author has listed particulars of ragas, talas etc. of music, hasta mudra, karana etc. of dances following a long extract of Bharatmuni's Natyasastra along with some charming photographs in the concluding pages. He mentions controversies of deep import: for instance, the relationship of the dances described and theories propounded in Chilappatikaram and modern Bharatanatyam. The author asserts that the music
of Chakkyarkuthu is rooted in Vedic music and that the twenty or so svaras employed are derived from the svara, udatta and anudatta of Vedic chants. The great bias our scholars have for the Sanskrit tradition works as a set of blinkers in our appreciation of our art forms.

COLLECTED PAPERS ON MALAYALAM LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS :  B. Gopinathan Nair (Ed.)

This book is a collection of 42 research papers pertaining to various aspects of Malayalam language, grammar and linguistics authored by many scholars, which appeared in the International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics (IJDL), spanning 36 years of its existence. The articles are broadly classified into eight sections viz. Phonetics and Phonology, Morphology & Syntax, Dialectology, Historical and Comparative, Transformational,Prosodic linguistics etc. through which many issues in Malayalam language, grammar and teaching are being evaluated by scholars that would pave way for future research in these areas. It gives a fairly good picture of the history of Malayalam grammar and its development. Students, teachers and researchers will find the contents of this beautifully bound volume very informative and stimulating.