From: potturi@cs.uh.edu (Rahi Prakash Potturi)
Subject: National Language, Aryan home, Dravidian culture etc.
Followup-To: C.P. Selvakumar's article
Organization: Computer Science dept.,  Univ. of Houston (Main Campus)
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 04:55:37 GMT


Deepak writes in response to C.P. Selvakumar's article:

<  This is interesting, because recently a debate ensued (ref:
<  Girish Bonde posted Subhash Kak's research articles) about whether
<  Aryans came from outside or were original natives of India who
<  spread from inside out. In any case, given Aryan influence on
<  indus vally civilization and the attempts by Kak etc to connect
<  Vedic era with indus vally civilization. My question is where does
<  Tamil/Dravidian language/culture fit into this ? This is a significant
<  aspect of the whole picture because BJP ruled UP and MP states have
<  already introduced in their history books: that Aryans were original
<  natives of India. Are we seeing another north/south problem here ?

<  regards..          Deepak



I think it is almost futile to pursue solving the "original home of Aryans"
and related questions. There have been various and mutually contradictory
theories suggested by eminent researchers about the same, and till today,
to my knowledge, there has not been a totally indubitable and conclusive 
case established one way or the other.

But the point C.P. Selvakumar makes is a valid one. He is right in saying that
the Dravidian language(s)/culture is atleast as ancient as sanskrit(=aryan)
language/culture. Hinduism, as we have it today, has been vastly influencede
by the dravidian culture. The uma (mother) cult, which is today an integral
part of Hinduism, is essentially a dravidian one that was alien to the 
patriarchial society of aryans. The "puja" ceremony that is a synonym to
worship for any hindu is again, undoubtedly, a dravidian tradition. "Yagna"
with its fire-worship and the sacrifices etc was the chief form of religious
ceremony for the Aryans. The concept of "puja" (basically, a "flower service")
was introduced by the dravidians and it received its token consent from no 
less than Sri Krishna and became a popular tradition. Similarly, Yoga is a
dravidian practice. Thus, the contribution of dravidian culture to hindu 
culture is very considerable.

C.P. Selvakumar is also right in saying that the vedic culture is only one
of the great heritages of India. Vedas record some of the earliest thoughts
of civilized humans and are a great heritage to not just India but to the
entire humanity. But by saying that "vedic culture" is THE bed rock of the 
Indian civilization, we would be doing serious injustice to the different 
cultures that have made the India of today and to history itself. Hinduism (I 
use it as a synonym for Indian culture) has enriched itself by the confluence 
of different cultures, races and schools of thought. The "sangam" has 
happened so far back and/or has happened so amicably that it is today very
difficult to distinguish the different constituent entities. And fortunately
so! Because, this way we can make Hinduism itself as the bedrock to base
the Indian union on, with no dissimilar degrees of possessiveness among 
majority of the population.

Coming to the language question, understandably, it is a controversial one.
I understand the complaints that the southerners have about having to
learn an alien and a not-so-literarily-superior-a-language as Hindi;
All the same, my vote would still be to Hindi not because of any other 
reason than lack of a better alternative. I understand that there is 
a lot of historical and literary worth to the claim that tamil should be
made the national language, but practically speaking, what percentage
of the population speaks it? 
Citizenship, IMO, demands certain commitments and responsibilites. And
in order to keep a commitment one might have to bear a few burdens and
make a few sacrifices. Accepting some language (arbitrary, it may be)
as the national language and endeavouring to learn and respect it, is,
IMO, a commitment that the citizens of a multi-lingual country like ours
have to be accept. It certainly goes a long way in making meaningful the 
concept of Indian union. Afterall, Nation building has to start somewhere; 
Why should'nt we start with a national language?! Can't we all travel an 
extra mile to make our dream come true, to reach our cherished destiny 
- a strong and unified India ?!


regards

Rahi Prakash Potturi
(potturi@cs.uh.edu)