The modern rationalist
Dr. Veeramani
The 11th world conference of the International Association for Tamil Research based in Malaysia was held on 21st, 22nd and 23rd July 2023 at University Malaya Campus. At the end of the first day’s event, Asiriyar Dr. K. Veeramani delivered the concluding speech. The excerpts from his speech are as follows:
Esteemed dignitaries, delegates and visitors from several cities of Malaysia, I am extremely delighted to deliver the concluding speech on the first day of this historic conference. Malaysia has an exceptional pride of honouring Tamil language for centuries. It is proved by the conduct of this eleventh conference of the ‘International Association for Tamil Research.’ We, the Dravidar Kazhagam, believe that we have to keep moving on with the changing times and avoid babbling endlessly about the past glory of Tamil language. There is today a dire need of transforming Tamil as a scientific language.
The organisers have rightly, chosen the topic of the conference – “Tamil Language in an I.T. Era”. We firmly believe that a language is not merely a medium of communication; it is a combat device. It is like arms used in a battlefield. What is it expected to fight against? I would like to probe into this moot point.
Modernise the device
As a disciple of Thanthai Periyar I wish to state at the outset that it was he who stressed long ago, that “a language should be like a combat device. It is to be modernised with the passage of time.” Gone are the ancient combat devices such as bows and arrows. They can never be used today because we are in an era which has bound us with the shackles of technology. A war should not always mean clashes and bloodshed on a battle field. Cultural invasion is also a warfare.
To fight against the invaders, languages must be used as weapons and combat devices. It we fail to do it, languages would face a slow death and vanish with the passage of time. Periyar used to stress this truth. Tamil language richly deserves to be called a combat device. It is not only a classical language but also a world language that could be heard almost all over the earth. We find for instance, the Chinese, the Japanese and even the Germans speaking Tamil fluently, in fact even better than the Tamils of Tamil Nadu. Is it not a matter of pride for us?
Stalwart Sarangapani
Universiti of Malaya established a chair for Tamil by the efforts of stalwarts, especially the eminent scholar Sarangapani. The invasion of Sanskrit was prevented by the patronage of papers such as ‘Tamil Murasu’. Sarangapani mobilised funds through the Tamils of Malaysia and achieved his objective. Tamil language was used by Malaysia as a combat device to crush a cultural invasion.
Century old resolution
On 30th and 31st March 1918, nearly 105 years ago the first conference of non-brahmins was organised by the Justice party in Trichy. It was resolved there to strive hard and get for Tamil the status of a classical language. The amazing growth of Tamil is the outcome of that historic resolution. Tamil language has grown as a gigantic tree with a lot of strong aerial roots but the main root buried deep determines the strength of the tree. That resolution can be called the root of this huge tree today. We recall with gratitude Kalaignar Karunanidhi who bestowed the glorious status of ‘classical language’ on Tamil. It was ratified in 2004 by the ministry of Home affairs through a Union Government notification.
Dravidian leaders behind glory
We are not against any particular language but we cannot tolerate if Tamil is denigrated and some other language is enthroned. Under such circumstances we have to use Tamil language as a combat device. Germicide is necessary for good health. Similarly, we have to fight against toxic forces to conserve Tamil language, which has spread all over the world, especially through English language. None of the British scholars had ever belittled Tamil language. Scholars like G.U. Pope admired the greatness of Tamil language.
The leaders of the Dravidian movement have always been the guardians of Tamil language. Their contributions have scripted history. When caste disparity infiltrated Tamil language, Periyar raised voice against the atrocity. Stalwarts like Arignar Anna played a vital role in the amazing flourish of Tamil language. Leaders of the Dravidian movement have always been waging war against cultural invasions. Periyar brought about the reformation of Tamil letters in 1935 itself which has been accepted today all over the world. 247 letters have been compressed into 54 letters. The reform was implemented first by Singapore, followed by Malaysia.
Artificial Intelligence Era
Wasting time and energy on the dead-past glory is meaningless in the present era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). We need a rationalist outlook and approach even in the matter of language.
We need manure to grow food, but manure itself cannot become our food. Similarly all our past-glory and pride should be only like fertilisers for us. They cannot help our language grow more and flourish.
Let us not forget that we exist today in a scientific Age. We need innovations with a scientific spirit. Language should march on the path of science. Linguists must chalk out appropriate measures. Changes must not be resisted. This is a lesson to be learnt through conferences like that which we are conducting today. Sanatana codes that resist changes must be thrown overboard. That which has never changed since the days of Buddha is “change” itself. Karl Marx too had stressed it firmly. Therefore, we should welcome changes, new views, new outlook and innovations.
Let us all strive to make Tamil language grow in leaps and bounds by our collective efforts. I urge you all to use Tamil language in every chosen field of yours and translate thoughts and plans into action. In the battlefield of life, use Tamil language as a combat device to face all the challenges. Never allow any toxic force to harm Tamil language in any manner. It should never be forgotten that the Dravidian movement has been behind the supreme reign of Tamil language.
