CHENNAI: Guess what could be the possible common aspect of Thilai Koothan (Lord Shiva), Buddhan Vari (Lord Buddha) and Siluvai Kadapu (Cross of Jesus)? The three are some paddy varieties found in Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly, this was discovered in a Tamil dialect survey, a project envisaged by the city-based Central Institute of Classical Tamil functioning under the aegis of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The project is a novel initiative aimed at recording Tamil words categorised as regional, social and traditional, which have been in use since Sangam age across the State.
According to sources with the institute, who have taken up this herculean task, about 829 names of different paddy varieties were recorded so far. “Though Buddhism is not largely practised by Tamils at present, the naming of a paddy variety after Lord Buddha reveals that Buddhism existed among the Tamils,” points out an official.
Similarly, another paddy has been named ‘Chandikar’, but it has no connection with Union Territory of Chandigarh.
‘Chandi’ is actually the name of a Saiva saint.
Apparently, the institute has also succeeded in recording numerous names and kinds of bull, cow, fish, goat, ox and sheep. “It is astonishing to note that ancient Tamils have classified these animals based on their colours and whirls of hair. If they have categorised 174 colours of cow, bull and ox, there are 84 types of whirls of hair of these animals, which are further divided as good and bad signs,” an official said, and added, “Till date, we have documented 1,700 kinds of fishes from Chennai to Kanyakumari.” The survey team is visiting several villages in each district of the State, apart from Puducherry and Karaikal in the neighbouring Union Territory.
Articles, books, unpublished reports and papers presented at seminars and conferences, MA dissertations, MPhil and PhD theses are also being used as sources for collecting words.
More than 25 major traditional vocations including drum beating, hair dressing, priesthood, astrology, tattooing and weaving have been identified.
Another official of the institute said documenting spoken words is the need of the hour since it would be an evidence for the rich culture, heritage and traditions of Tamils. “In a longer perspective, we are planning to publish Tamil dictionaries by compiling these words in different volumes,” the official added.
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