Tamil,an ancient language of India explains how sound,the origin of Language is born.
This is explained in detail in the oldest Tamil Grammar text available, Tholkappiyam.
The Tolkāppiyam consists of three books each of which is divided into 9 chapters. The books are calledathikaarams. The three books are
I. Ezhuththathigaaram – Formation of words and combination of words. II. Sollathigaaram – Syntax. III. Porulathigaaram – Conveying thoughts.
Each of these have further classifications.
The purpose of this article is to explain the scientific basis on which Indian culture, languages evolved.
Tamil,as I wrote earlier,backed by evidence,dates back to between 30,000 to 100,000 years!
Runs parallel to Sanskrit.
To know more of this kindly Google Tamil+ramanan50, Sanskrit ramanan50, Tamil Sanskrit ramanan50.
Sound,the basis for language is born of Eight human organs/parts.
In Sanskrit,it is stated the basic sounds are three and they rise from three places.
Pit of the stomach, Ma
Throat, U and
Mouth,A.
These three sounds form the sacred sound OM.
Tholkappiyam delves further and goes deep.
It lists seven places from where sound is born.
Air arises,
Pit of the stomach,
Diaphragm
Larynx and pharynx
Teeth,
Lips,
Tongue,
7.Nose, and
8.Palate.
‘
வளி என்பது உலகைச் சூழ்ந்துள்ள காற்று. நாம் பேசும்போது வளி உந்தியிலிருந்து தோன்றும்.
உந்தியில் தோன்றும் வளி தலையிலும், மிடற்றிலும், நிலைகொள்ளும்.
அங்கிருந்து பாய்ந்து பல், இதழ், நாக்கு, மூக்கு, அண்ணம் ஆகியவற்றில் ஒலியைத் தோற்றுவிக்கும்.
ஆக நிலைகொண்டு பாயும் ஒலியுறுப்புகள் 8.
‘உந்தி முதலா முந்து வளி தோன்றி
:தலையினும் மிடற்றினும் நெஞ்சினும் நிலைஇ
:பல்லும் இதழும் நாவும் மூக்கும்
:அண்ணமும் உளப்பட எண் முறை நிலையான்
:உறுப்பு உற்று அமைய நெறிப்பட நாடி
:எல்லா எழுத்தும் சொல்லும் காலை
:பிறப்பின் ஆக்கம் வேறு வேறு இயல
:திறப்படத் தெரியும் காட்சியான. 1
:அவ் வழி,
:பன்னீர் உயிரும் தம் நிலை திரியா
:மிடற்றுப் பிறந்த வளியின் இசைக்கும். 2
The raising air-stream originating at the lungs, inflated by the action of diaphragm abides and reinforced at the chest, larynx and pharynx and touches the teeth, lips, tongue, nose and palate, at different places, in distinct ways and by various manner produces sound, with the eight organs, as we know. 83/1’
I received a question from Quora recently if Tamil is as old as Sanskrit,could someone post a Tamil version of Shiva Tandava Stores.
‘
This is Pasupathi sealdiscovered in Mohenjo-daro archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization.
It has been dated to be 4050 – 4400 years old and considered to be the earliest known depiction of Sivan.
பசு=உயிரினங்கள் + பதி=தலைவன் = பசுபதி(Pasupathi)…உலகிலுள்ள எல்லா உயிரினங்களுக்கும் தலைவன் என்று பொருள்.
(another name for lord shiva, means the lord of all animals of the universe).
I think Sanskrit songs were praising the Tamizh Lord :p’
The question seems to have risen from the information that Sanskrit and Tamil were born from Lord Shiva.
Shiva as Cosmological Being
‘
So the antiquity of Tamil and Sanskrit go back to vast stretches of Time.
So I gave up trying to find out which is older, Tamil or Sanskrit, with the conviction that both go back to very vast stretches of Time, both quote each other.
Period.
As to the origin of Sanskrit, it is from Shiva’s Damaru, a musical instrument, adorned by Shiva.
The sound of Damaru created Sanskrit and it was compiled as Maheswara Suktha.
This was revealed to Panini and Agastya.
IT may be noted that Agastya is the father of Tamil, along with Shiva.
Panini gave Sanskrit.
As Tamil and Sanskrit seem to go way back, seem to be coexistent, the Tamil Grantha Lipi seems to be common to Sanskrit, Tamil could have been revealed by Shiva simultaneously at the time of revealing Sanskrit in the form of Maheswara Sutra.
‘The Tamil and Sanskrit Grammar are said to have been revealed simultaneously to Agasthya and Panini by Lord Shiva! Though the literary proof for this claim can be had only in the post 15th century AD period, it cannot be denied that both Tamil and Sanskrit grammar have commonality in many ways.‘
Tamil and Sanskrit date a long way back and they quote each other.
They are intricately connected.
Yet they are different in Grammar.
Both are rich in literature.
As a matter of record, it may be noted that the First Tamil Grammar was by Sage Agastya ,who ,along with Siva and Murugan are the custodians of Tamil .
The first Tamil Grammar Agathiyam by Agastya is lost.
The second Grammar work Tholkappiyam is by Tholkappiyar and it is the oldest available text in Tamil.
Tholkappiyar was a Vedic Brahmin.
He composed Tamil Grammar.
And he states,while describing the origin of words,in Tholkappiyam,that words(sounds)rise from seven places in the body and that he is not explaining this in Tholkappiyam and this information can be found in The Vedas.
(This is translated by me. Tholkappiyar mentions seven places, while Wikipedia mentions as From five places. The learned may contribute))
The tonal inflection is indicated here.
It may be of interest to note that Swara,the Tone is important in Vedic Intonation.
It also stands to reason to surmise that Tholkappiyar indicates the seven noted, Saptha Swara,as the basis.
And the word for movement,which produces Sound,is Called ‘Isai’ in Tamil.
Isai indicates Music,Sound,in agreement with.
‘எல்லா எழுத்தும் வெளிப்படக் கிளந்து
சொல்லிய பள்ளி எழுதரு வளியின்
பிறப்பொடு விடுவழி உறழ்ச்சி வாரத்து
அகத்து எழு வளி இசை அரில் தப நாடி
அளபின் கோடல் அந்தணர் மறைத்தே. 20 Tholkappiyam தொல்காப்பியம் 20
https://ta.m.wikisource.org/wiki/தொல்காப்பியம்/எழுத்ததிகாரம்/பிறப்பியல் பள்ளிகளில் வளி எழும். சொல்லிய 5 இடங்களில் எழுத்தாகப் பிறந்து வளி விடுபடும். எழுத்தானது பிறந்து, எழுந்து, விடுபடும் அளபு அந்தணர் மறையில் உள்ளது. அகத்தே தோன்றும் அதனை இங்குச் சொல்லாமல், புறத்தே வெளிப்படும் பாங்கை மட்டும் கூறியுள்ளேன்” என்று தொலகாப்பியர் குறிப்பிடுகிறார்..
Though most of the Readers of Ramanis blog are objective and seekers of Truth,History based on Facts,there are a few who try to read hidden meanings and agenda.
To them, I would like to state that this blog is an attempt at finding our cultural and historical roots that have been destroyed /are twisted to suit the invaders.
Because of this misinformation,many/some tend to view our history and culture through the Prisms of Language and region.
What one must remember is that,though there were 56 Kingdoms and at least as many languages from the Vedic /Ramayana,Mahabharatha period, I am yet to come across a reference where the culture or languages of one region look down upon the others.
However,there were instances of religious bigotry between Hinduism,Jainism and Buddhism during the middle ages,no prejudiced views were there about languages,music and culture.
Each was given respect and each took the best out of the other and became better.
For example,Tamil customs were adapted to Vedic Traditions,like the Mangal Sutra(Thaali) and Apasthamba incorporated them in his sutras.
Similarly,thiugh the Tamils were not Fire Worshippers like the Vedic People,they followed Sanaatana Dharma.
This introduction is in the light of the information I am producing below,which is likely to raise the hackles of Carnatic Music lovers.
Tamil as a language consists of three parts.
Iyal,loosely translated as Prose ,is that which comes naturally in day to day Life,
Isai,Music,which is the origin of Language and
Natakam,Drama or Theatrics.
Isai is is from the word Asai, ‘Move’.
Music as we know is from Vibrations.
Vibrations are from Movement.
Whether it is Vocal or Instrumental Music ,it is from Movement,vocal chords,strings,or vibrations from instruments.
So The root word for Music Isai is from Asai,Move.
Isai also means ‘to be in tune with’ ‘agree’,’ go together’.
Recorded history from the earliest recorded Tamil Work Tholkappiam speaks about Isai ,called ,’Pann,.
Pann means that which is refined ,cultured,orderly and elevating.
One may note that Tholkappiyar was a disciple of Sage,Agastya,who wrote Veda Sutras and is considered as the co founder of Tamil along with Lord Shiva,Subrahmanya(Murugan in Tamil) .
Shiva in Tamil is associated with Dance as Natana Sabapathy,the Lord of Dais and He is also considered as the root of Music.
One may note that Sanskrit was born of Shiva’s Drum.
Even today Shiva is worsipped with Tamil Music,Pann from Thirumurai of Thevaram and Thiruvasagam in temples.
These are called Dravida Vedas.
Please listen you visit temples in the south when the priest performs the,Kaala Pooja,the Poojas conducted at specific times in Times( 5 or six Times a day,depending on the custom).
You may note the priest saying Dravida Vedam Sandhardhasyaami,we are offering You the Dravida Vedas.
This is followed by Tamil Pann speicified for the Time the pooja is performed.
This is followed by the priest announcing ‘ Veda Ghosham’
Then Veda is chanted.
*This practice seems to have originated just before the period or during the reign of Rajaraja Chola,1010AD.
In Vishnu Temples Naalayira Divya Prabhandham is sung.
The Pann,music of Tamil ,as of now is dated aroud 200 BC.
However, in the light of evidence from Poompuhar which is described in detail in Cilappadikaaram, one of the,Tamil Five Tamil Epics,the date of Tamil is pushed back by 30,000 years.
Then we have Arikamedu site,and a million year old site in Chennai.
Then 74,000 year old Nataraja near Kurnool,Andhra Pradesh( Telengana?)’
Thiruvannamalai ,Tamil Nadu which is 3.94 Billion years old,
Thirupathi,the Northern boundary of Tamils is 2100 million years old..
All this push the date of Tamil further back.
The surprise is that this ancient Tamil quotes Vedas and Vedas quote Tamil.
Please read my articles in detail on each topic.
There are 103 Panns.
Today 21,24 or 27 are used in Temples.
There are 72 Mela Kartha Raagas in Carnatic Music.
Please read my article on this.
Tamil is unique in that it assigns a particular Pann to one landmass.
There are five landscapes described.
Kurinji,Marutham,Neydhal,Mullai and Paalai.
Please read my posts on these labd divisions.
The first music instrument was Yaazh ,like Veena.
In Vedas Sama Veda is set to music and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In Vedic traditions,Veena is decribed as the first musical instrument.
In Tamil, it is Yaazh , a type of Veena.
Goddess Saraswathi has it in her hands.
Also the the Drum of Shiva,Damaru.
In Tamil,’Parai’ Drum is also considered as the earliest musical instrument along with Yaazh.
‘
அசையும் சீரும் இசையொடு சேர்த்தி
வகுத்தனர் உணர்த்தலும் வல்லோர் ஆறே”
”
“
“இசைப்பு இசையாகும் என்கிறது”
*-That which is moved/vibrated is Music’”
இசைப்பு என்பது யாழ் போன்ற இசைக்கருவிகளை இசைத்தல் ஆகும் என்பது இந்நூற்பாவின் பொருள்.
“
அளபு இறந்து இசைத்தலும் ஒற்று இசை நீடலும்
உள என மொழிப இசையொடு சிவணிய நரம்பின் மறைய என்மனார் புலவர்’
”
இசையொடு பொருந்திய யாழ் நூலில் இசையிலே எழுத்து ஒலிகள் அளவுகடந்து ஒலித்தலும், ஒற்றுக்கள் நீண்டு ஒலித்தலும் உண்டு என்று அறிஞர் கூறுவர் என்பது இதன் பொருள்.
*In Yaazh,written letters sound long and the consonants short’
இசையைத் தொழிலாக கொண்ட மக்கள் உபயோகப்படுத்தும் இசைக்கருவிக்குப் பறை என்றும், இன்பமாக பொழுது போக்கும் மக்கள் பயன்படுத்தும் இசைக்கருவி யாழ் என்றும் தொல்காப்பியத்தில் இருவகை இசைக்கருவிகளைப் பற்றிக் குறிப்பிடுகிறார் தொல்காப்பியர், தொல்காப்பியம் பொருளதிகாரம்அகத்திணையியல் 18 ஆம் நூற்பா தமிழர் வாழ்க்கை நெறியின் அடிப்படைப் பண்பாட்டுக் கருவூலங்களைக் குறிப்பிடுகிறது.
“
தெய்வ முணாவே மாமரம் புட்பறை
செய்தி யாழின் பகுதியொடு தொகைஇ அவ்வகை பிறவும் கருவென மொழிப
”
இங்கு தெய்வம், உணா, மா, மரம், புள், பறை, யாழ் ஆகிய பொருள்கள் சொல்லப்பட்டுள்ளன. இந்த ஏழும் தமிழர் பண்பாட்டுக் கருப்பொருள்கள். ஏழு கருப்பொருளில் ஒன்று யாழ். மற்றொன்று பறை.’
Pann and Equivalent Carnatic Raagas.
‘பண்கள் மொத்தம் 103 என்று குறிப்பிடப்பட்டுள்ளன. தேவாரத்திலும் திருமுறைகளிலே குறிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள 24 பண்களைக் கீழே காணலாம். அவற்றுக்குச்சமமான தற்கால இராகங்கள் அருகே தரப்பட்டுள்ளன.
I have written an article that Panini’s Grammar on Sanskrit was preceded by Ten works on Sanskrit Grammar,one of them being ‘Aindhiram.’
There is a view that the Aindhiram was a Grammar work in Tamil belonging to either the first or second Tamil Sangam.
The work is lost and Tholkaapiyam is the earliest work on Grammar in Tamil available now.
Tholkaapiyar in his prelude to Tholkaapiyam states that he studied under A Brahmin,who was well versed in the Vedas.
The name he gives is Athankottu Aasan.
The term Aasan in Tamil means Teacher.
Athankodu might mean the place he hailed from.
So what Tholkaapiyar means is that he studied under a teacher who lived or from Athankodu.
Might be,it is in the present Kerala,which was earlier a part of Tamil Kingdom called Chera Naadu.
As Sage Agastya is mentioned repeatedly in Sangam literature and Tamil Legends,he is credited with The Tamil Grammar,
Tholkaapiyam and Tholkappiyar is a disciple of Sage Agastya as mentioned in Sddha’s works in Tamil, I postulated that Agastya could have wriiten the Aindhira work on Sanskrit Grammar,which Tholkaapiyar quotes.
He says ,
‘அறம் கரை நாவின் நான்மறை முற்றிய
அதங்கோட்டு ஆசாற்கு அரில் தபத் தெரிந்து மயங்கா மரபின் எழுத்து முறை காட்டி மல்கு நீர் வரைப்பின் ஐந்திரம் நிறைந்த தொல்காப்பியன் எனத் தன் பெயர் தோற்றிப் பல் புகழ் நிறுத்த படிமையோனே..
‘Me,Thokappiyan,who learnt the Aindhiram Grammar,which describes the functions and rules Word’
‘I have learnt this from the one,who is well versed in The Vedas,in the presence of a Pandyan King’
As Agastya had written a work on Tamil Grammar Agattiyam,which is lost,there was no need to write another Grammar in Tamil.
Agastya was well versed in Sanskrit as well.
He had written Rig Vedic Hymns,along with his wife Lopamudra.
So an earlier Grammark work by him could have been in Sanskrit, which is,Aindhiram.
That Aindhiram is a Sanskrit work is arrived at by scholars.
‘The Aindra (of Indra) school of Sanskrit grammar is one of the eleven schools of Sanskrit grammar mentioned in Pāṇini’s Ashtadhyayi. It is named after Indra in allusion to Lord Indra, the king of Gods in Hindu mythology. Arthur Coke Burnell, a renowned orientologist, in his 1875 book, “On the Aindra school of Sanskrit grammars” details this school. Burnell believed that most non-Pāṇinian systems of Sanskrit grammar were traceable to this school of grammar, believed to be the oldest and reputed to be founded by Indra himself…
Burnell’s search for the Aindra school took him to Southern India where he came across the Tamil grammatical work Tolkappiyam. A preface of this work, written during the twelfth century CE by Ilampuranar describes the work as aindiram nirainda Tolkappiyam (‘comprising Aindra’). This, Burnell posits is an allusion to the pre-Pāṇinian Aindra school of grammar.
Further, Burnell proceeded to do an exhaustive comparison of the Tokappiyam with two non-Pāṇinian schools of grammar, namely, the Katantra school of Sanskrit grammar and the Kaccayana, a Pali school of Southern India. Based on the comparisons and allowing for divergences due to the structural differences between Tamil and Sanskrit/Pali, Burnell concluded that the Tolkappiyam corresponds to the Katantra school minutely and across the board.
He also demonstrated that many of the technical terms of the Tolkappiyam and of later Tamil grammars were merely simple translations of Sanskrit terms which he attributes to the Aindra school or the other pre-Pāṇinian texts.
While his demonstration of the influence of Sanskrit on the Tolkappiyam has met with some approval, his attribution and approximation of all non Pāṇinian schools of Sanskrit grammar with the Aindra school has met with resistance. SOme scholars have also taken a less committal line on the question of Sanskrit influence itself.[3]
Having demonstrated the influence of the Katantra school on the grammars of Pali and Tamil and with the help of a linkage to the Aindra school that the Tolkappiyam afforded, Burnell proceeded to show the differences in the technical terms used by the Aindra school and those used by the Pāṇinians.’
Tholkaapiyar says that he is well versed in Aindhiram.
‘ஆயிடைத்
தமிழ் கூறும் நல் உலகத்து வழக்கும் செய்யுளும் ஆயிரு முதலின் எழுத்தும் சொல்லும் பொருளும் நாடிச் செந்தமிழ் இயற்கை சிவணிய நிலத்தொடு முந்து நூல் கண்டு முறைப்பட எண்ணிப் புலம் தொகுத்தோனே ‘
Rough translation.
I am embarking on writing a work in Tamil ,to streamline,செந்தமிழ் இயற்கை சிவணிய நிலத்தொடு
முந்து நூல் கண்டு முறைப்பட எண்ணி,the language of Tamil,by compiling ,புலம் தொகுத்தோனே,that which is ancient.Now that,
Tholkappiar learnt,Andhiram Grammar in Sanskrit and was a Scholar in Aidhiram,
‘ஐந்திரம் நிறைந்த
தொல்காப்பியன் எனத் தன் பெயர் தோற்றிப் பல் புகழ் நிறுத்த படிமையோனே..’Translation. Well versed in Aindhiram,me Tholkaapiyan.
He was well versed in Tamil and was knowledgeable in Tamil Litertaure,
He was a disciple of Agastya,who wrote Vedic Hymns,a scholar in Sanskrit,Agathyam ,Tamil Grammar,
Tholkaapiyar expresses his desire to streamline Tamil,
It is highly probable that he wrote Tholkaapiyam ,refining Aindhiram as it was becoming obsolete,disappearing.
Tamil Grammar Thokappiyam might be a refined,improved Aindhiram of Sanskrit Grammar.
There are other views.
Aindhiram is a Tamil work.
‘R. Mathivanan; and 8th century B.C. by A.S. Gnanasambandam and V.T. Chellam.
Panampaaranaar, in his introductory verse to Tolkappiyam, praises Tolkappiyar as Tolkappiyan well-versed in Aindram. R. Ragavaiyangar says that the study of Aindram, a grammatical work, was very popular during the time of Tolkappiyar and its study was neglected during the time of Ilango Adigal, the author of Silappathikaram. Aindram lost its influence after the appearance of Astadhyayi, the grammar of Panini which became very popular ever since its inception and was learnt eagerly’
‘Aindhiram is an ancient book on the science of vasthu sathra and tamil grammer – connected with Tholkappiyam .It had two volumes.Unfortunately the volume one which deals with the phenetics of tamil grammer associated with Tholkappiyam (this volume of book was called ‘ANIDRA’) is lost in the course of history ,all that is remaining with us is an scientific book on vasthu sathra.’
In Aintiram ,The Science related to numerical order enables one to know the principles of role of number, space order nature of inner space and significantly know the potency of micro-structure. (atoms)
-one of the grossly underrated scientific books in Tamil ,which was totally neglected for the last 100 years..
-it also explains about the rationale for certain practices in our day to day life ,which have clear scientific reasons behind it,that we are totally unaware of…like where should we place our head while we sleep, practical stuff like that (for all those ppl who condemned lot of tamil traditions telling that they have no scientific evidence and are nothing but superstitious beliefs, this book was especially written for you guys) …stumbled across a small passage from Aindhiram book(English translation) which I would like to share
Mayan’s Aintiram …page 347]
East: Sleeping with head resting in the East enhances memory, health and spiritual inclination. It is usually advised by Vastu Shastra Consultants to plan the children’s room in such a way that their Vastu sleeping direction comes out to be east. This leads to higher concentration and retention power.
South: Vastu Shastra highly recommends this direction as your usual sleeping position with head towards the South. This is believed to provide sound sleep and increase the wealth and prosperity in the household.
ஆயிடைத் தமிழ் கூறும் நல் உலகத்து வழக்கும் செய்யுளும் ஆயிரு முதலின் எழுத்தும் சொல்லும் பொருளும் நாடிச் செந்தமிழ் இயற்கை சிவணிய நிலத்தொடு முந்து நூல் கண்டு முறைப்பட எண்ணிப் புலம் தொகுத்தோனே போக்கு அறு பனுவல் நிலம் தரு திருவின் பாண்டியன் அவையத்து அறம் கரை நாவின் நான்மறை முற்றிய அதங்கோட்டு ஆசாற்கு அரில் தபத் தெரிந்து மயங்கா மரபின் எழுத்து முறை காட்டி மல்கு நீர் வரைப்பின் ஐந்திரம் நிறைந்த தொல்காப்பியன் எனத் தன் பெயர் தோற்றிப் பல் புகழ் நிறுத்த படிமையோனே..
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