Badaga Dictionary

Recently Mamta from Chennai, obviously a non Badaga, wrote to tell me that she was interested in learning Badaga and whether I could suggest any book on the topic. I was stumped. Though I knew that there is a ‘Badaga – English’ dictionary by Paul Hockings and Christane Raichoor and some info available on the net, I could not recommend the book – dictionary for it is prohibitively priced.

So, the thought of making a dictionary with the active help of all Badaga friends who visit this website. Please spend a few minutes and send me any word you know. You can put it in the comments column below or send me an email :- bjaypee@gmail.com

Now let us start with the alphabet A

1. ah – pronounced as in ah’himsa – people [ah bandhidhaaray - people have come. Appara ah eddharay - lot of people are there]

2. aah – pronounced as in after -opening the mouth [aah ennu - say aah or open your mouth]

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23 Responses to Badaga Dictionary

Shobana | 16/03/2013 at 11:52 pm | Reply

I am a non Badaga.I have a Badaga friend whose birthday is coming in couple of weeks.I am trying to give a surprise by wishing in Badaga. Can someone translate this for me? ” My dear friend, let me wish you a very happy birthday, let success follow you, have a blast on your birthday..” Thank you so much for your support.
VINAYAGAMOORTHY | 11/10/2012 at 7:53 pm | Reply

Hello Sir,
I am really proud of being a BADAGA. I am looking for Badaga songs, video clips, dance.I am watching for small clips- live functions, language, dance, food items, our cultures as I am a video camera man. I create documentary film. its my interest. So kindly help me. I want full details. My mobile no +919095747257- live near Chidambaram [Kattumannarkoil].
arun kumar | 19/06/2012 at 10:56 am | Reply

plz give me some common badaga words with meaning…
Karthick | 30/05/2012 at 1:09 pm | Reply

Hi, how do you say I MISS U in badaga?
priya [ip : 203.109.109.54] | 09/05/2012 at 11:32 am | Reply

I want know the meaning in tamil of “sudhi yena”

“செய்தி என்ன? What is the news?” [sudhi- news, yena - what] The person who sent this querry has [mis]used an non-existant email id. Priya, if that is your real name, you may request NOT to disclose your email ID in future and the same will not be displayed.
- Jeeva | 12/02/2013 at 9:17 am | Reply
  
  ollangae edhaiyaa, sudhi yena means how are you?
SENTHIL SWEETY | 23/03/2012 at 11:27 pm | Reply

pls translate following words

how are you sister? [Ethe indhay akka/ammay?]

have you had food? [hittu thindhu buttaya?]

when will you sleep? [Eaguva oraga horay?]

sleep soon? [Sattana orugu]

take care sister [ollengay ebbay akka/ammay]

good morning [Namaskara]

good afternoon [Namaskara]

good evening ["]

good nite ["]

(Translations given within the brackets. Enjoy talking to your Badaga Friends. – Wg Cdr JP)
ram | 07/03/2012 at 2:26 pm | Reply

please provide me equivalent words for sorry.. hello… madam…
pravin | 26/10/2011 at 1:23 am | Reply

how to say ‘Happy Diwali’ in badaga ? kindly reply

and wishing the same to all badaga friends God bless
pravin | 12/10/2011 at 6:51 pm | Reply

Kindly tell me how to say ‘thank u’ in badaga

There is no ‘direct Badaga ‘ equivalent to ‘thank you’. The closest could be ‘Appara sandhosha – very happy’
pranesh | 08/10/2011 at 3:47 pm | Reply

Kindly help me with these q’s

1) how to say ‘hi’ / ‘vanakkam’ in badaga ? (how to greet)

2) how to say happy birthday in badaga ?

1) Namaskaara, Ollengay Iddhaya ['Vanakkam',How are you?]
2) Santhoshavaadha Huttidha Barasha [Happy Birthday!]
Iris | 01/09/2011 at 6:41 am | Reply

Thank you for the link. I have already translated the 350 words short story. The nearest word is “e: calu” (Ercalú).
- Mythili | 05/12/2011 at 10:42 pm | Reply
  
  Send me the link pls..
  - Wg.Cdr. Bellie Jayaprakash | 06/12/2011 at 7:40 am |
    
    This is the link Wg.Cdr.JP
pranesh | 30/08/2011 at 7:07 pm | Reply

kindly tell me the meaning of ‘olli koosu’ … my friend told that it a colloquial badaga word. thank you

Olliya Koosu – means Good Boy
- mlle_sumathi | 31/08/2011 at 1:39 am | Reply
  
  It is a compliment !!!!
  
  Hi Sumathi, hope you are doing well in your course in Canada – JP Uncle
sakthivel | 27/04/2011 at 11:15 am | Reply

I am presently working for an engineering college at coimbatore as an english lecturer. since i have joined in this college i have a badaga friend who inspired me a lot. through him i came to hear about badaga songs and through I just downloaded many badaga songs. I was really inspired and excited when I hear those songs, especially the songs like
“balathandu kandu kalu,
mele akoriyega,
enne usare ninaga unippi illaya,
munthi munti vuppa,
gundadana hatti ogane,
usare usare”
I just really love those songs……………. thanks for him and the writers
iris | 16/01/2011 at 11:26 pm | Reply

Greetings. Where can I find the meaning of the word ercalú . A friend told me it could be form bandag language

The word ‘ercalú’ sounds very similar to some Badaga (not bandag) words. If you can give the correct word as pronounced, it might help. It appears that you are from Porto Rico. If so, thanks for your visit. Badaga is a language spoken mainly in the Nilgiris, South India.
- Iris | 05/08/2011 at 7:49 pm | Reply
  
  Thank you for your answer. The word as I heard it in a dream and use it in a short story I wrote, is exactly the way you wrote it here, but I use it as a proper name for the main character of the story. The story is Ercalú Notovsky http://liricanocturna.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/ercalu-notovsky/
  I am translating it into English.
Arunan | 16/10/2009 at 11:16 pm | Reply

From Badaga dictionary :- ‘அவ்வெ, ஔவ்வெ : mother, father’s wife, wife’s father’s sister, ஐடு மணி கிடு: Evening Prime rose’ This is the link where you can find Badaga dictionary online
Jaison | 22/07/2009 at 10:14 pm | Reply

I need to learn Badaga language. Please give the link of Badaga – English dictionary.

Go to Google search > books > Badaga Dictionary – JP
Arunan | 27/02/2009 at 7:23 am | Reply

Baduga MLA and other people to ask Tamil Nadu government to set up a Badaga Sakithya Academy so that we can build a new dictionary like Kodavas did in Karnataka state. so people think well this is the right time to start a new academy for us.
tovorinok | 05/07/2007 at 6:23 am | Reply

Great book. Looks good! Keep up the great work. It very impressive.I just want to say what a fantastic thing you are doing! Good luck!

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Let us learn Badaga

” Ollenge iddiya ? - How are you ?”

‘Suddi saddha ella olliththa ? - (Roughly) ‘ How is everything ? ‘

1. Are you a Badaga ? - Nee ondu Badagana?

2. Yes, I am a Badaga - Ha, Na ondu Badaga

3. What is your name ? - Ninna hesaru aena ?

4. My name is Bhoja - Enna hesaru Bhoja

5. Which is your village ? - Ninna Hatti edu ?

[5a. Amme / Thamma, nee ai hatti ? - Girl/ Boy, which is your village?]

6. My village is Bearhatti - Enna Hatti bandu Bearhatti

7. Whose son/daughter are you ? - Nee dara maathi / hennu ?

8. I am Mela thara (top street) Joghi Gowder’s son / daughter - Na Mela thara Joghi gowdaru maathi / hennu

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Numbers in Badugu /Badaga

1. Ondu (One) 11. Hannondu (Eleven)

2. Eradu (Two) 12. Hanneradu (Twelve)

3. Mooru (Three) 13. Hadimooru (Thirteen)

4. Naakku (Four) 14. Hadanaakku (Fourteen)

5. Iidu (Five) 15. Hadanaidu (Fifteen)

6. Aaru (Six) 16. Hadanaaru (Sixteen)

7. eizhu (Seven) 17. Hadarizhu (Seventeen)

8. Eattu (Eight) 18. Hadarettu (Eighteen)

9. Ombathu ( Nine) 19. Hathombathu (Nineteen)

10. Hathu (Ten) 20. Eipathu (Twenty)

30. Moovathu (Thirty) 40. Nalavathu (Forty)

50. Iivathu (Fifty) 60. Aravathu (Sixty)

70. Elavathu (Seventy) 80. Embathu ( Eighty)

90. Thombathu (Ninrty) 100. Nooru (Hundred)

Days In Badugu/Badaga

1. Aadivaara (Sunday)

2. Sovaara (Monday)

3. Mangavaara ( Tuesday)

4. Bodavaara (Wednesday)

5. Chikkavaara (Thursday)

6. Bellie (Friday)

7. Sani (Saturday)

Months In Badugu/Badaga

(Courtesy ” Naakku Betta ” Monthly - Goodalu (1979) Issue by Sivaprakash B.Sc.,B.Ed (Davanai))

It is said that Badaga month starts on every 10th of the English month. Like for example Goodalu month starts on 10th January.

1. Goodalu (Jan)

2. Aalaani (Feb)

3. Nallaani (Mar)

4. Aani ( Apr)

5. Aadire (May)

6.Aadi (Peraadi) (Jun)

7.Aavaani (Jul)

8.Perattadi (Aug)

9. Dodda Deevige (Sep)

10. Kiru Deevige (Oct)

11. Thai (Nov)

12. Hemmaatti (Dec)

Pleasantly surprised to hear all the Badaga Months being mentioned in this song called ‘Kappu Huttileyu’- a great dance number.

**************************************

	Hindu-Arabic numeral	Badaga and pronunciation
	0	?
	1	ஒந்து (Ondu)
	2	எரடு (Eradu)
	3	மூறு (Mooru)
	4	நாக்கு (Naaakkuu)
	5	ஐது (aidhu)
	6	ஆறு (aaru))
	7	இழ்ழு (ézhu)
	8	எட்டு (ettu)
	9	ஒம்பத்து (Ompathu)

For Badaga songs go here

Listen to these Badaga melodies as you browse

Dance Numbers Sad Songs

Proud to be an Indian : Proud to be a Badaga

இந்தியர் என்று எழுந்து நிற்போம் , படகர் என்று நிமிர்ந்து நிற்போம்

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This website is

Designed, developed and maintained by Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash

[bjaypee@gmail.com]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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;Hakkilu Hoo [Bird Flower] found in the Nilgiri Hills
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Ninna hesuru aena?- what is your name?, Nee Ae hatti? - which is your village?, Appana hesuru? - Father's name?], Maduvey aai buttava?- [Are you] married?, Ganda,Elliya gelcha gheedhana?- where is [your] husband working?,

Have you visited this website on Badagas?

Also visit another website on Badaga Series

Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash © 2013
For more……
- ARI GOWDER -the undisputed Badaga leader
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- Hethe(y) Habba
- History of HETHE(Y)
  - Hethay Amma and Gayatri Chalisa
  - History of Beragani Hethe
  - History of Pedduva Hethai
- Matters Military
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- Rare Photos
- Rare Photos – added
- Research
- The Informed ELDERS !
- The [picturesque] Nilgiris
- Titbits
Links
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- Enough is Enough when is enough -NOT enough?
- For some fun from the heart ….and mind
Eakoni
Badaga Music

Go here - For Wg Cdr JP's choice of Badaga Songs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Badaga Songs on the WEB
Badaga Rare Photos
Badaga recipes.....
Click on the pix for Badaga Ring Tones
Solace in Poetry

Power to Change

[This poem is dedicated to my mother]
Give me the power to dare, To reach the heights with no fear, Instead of meekly stand and stare.
Give me the courage to defend, the innocent from injustice of any kind, Instead of simply sit back and pretend.
Give the strength to protect, The unique and wild to keep them intact, Instead of finding excuses to destruct.
Give me the heart to offer, whatever is left in the coffer, Instead of walking past those who suffer.
Give me the chance to dream, Give me the courage to dare, Give me the conviction to do.
GIVE ME THE POWER TO CHANGE, THE POWER TO CHANGE MYSELF, TO CHANGE MYSELF FOR THE BETTER.
Copyright©2012 Bellie Jayaprakash
Badaga songs

Want to listen to some nice Badaga Music..... visit here
Badaga Poem

Enna Awai by B.Mohan [of Kunna Bikkatti]
(From ‘Mandhadha Maathu’ – Published by Badaga Welfare Association, Madras, issue dated 1-4-93 (Hannu 3,- Hoo 10)
Kettu Muridhu Naa Kerio Kulibaneyu, Huttu Nattu Enna Hollandhu Hegoneyu, Hethu Thathi Saakidha Awai Enna, Hollandhu Hegule Maathi Allandhu thallule.
Goonu bhuddu Naa Cooli Geevaneyu, Huttu Kettu Naa Maasi Kulibaneyu, Pattu Beetha Batte Ekkoneyu, Kettandhu Hegule Awai Enna Mattandhu Thallule.
Kottage Huggi Naa Geria Baakoneyu, Araya Kulidu Naa Danava Mesoneyu, Horia Thookki Naa Hotte Kaibeneyu, Kore Ondhu Hegule Awai Ondhu Ariandhu Nudivile.
என்ன அவ்வை
[ பி .மொஹன் - குன்ன பிக்கட்டி]
(மந்தத மாத்து, படக வெல்ஃபெர் அசொசியெஷன், மெட்ராஸ்,1-4-93 ,(ஹண்ணு 3, ஹூ 10)
கெட்டு முரிது நா கேரியோ குளிபனெயு, ஹுட்டு நட்டு என்ன ஹொல்லந்து ஹெகொனெயு, ஹெத்து தத்தி சாக்கித அவ்வை என்ன, ஹொல்லாந்து ஹெகுலே, மாத்தி அல்லாந்து தள்ளுலெ.
கூனு புத்து நா கூலி கீவனேயு, ஹுட்டு கெட்டு நா மாசி குளிபனெயு, பட்டு பீத்த பட்டே இக்கொனேயு, கெட்டுண்டு ஹொகலி எந்து அவ்வை என்ன மட்டாந்து தள்ளுலெ.
கொட்டகே ஹுக்கி நா கேரிய பாக்கோனெயு, அரய குளிது நா தனவ மெசுவொனெயு, ஹோரிய தூக்கி நா ஹொட்டே கைபெனெயு, கொரெ எந்து ஹேகுலெ அவ்வை ஒந்து அரியாந்து நுடிவிலெ

English Translation of the above poem by Bellie Jayaprakash
My Mother
Even when I was down with poverty and sat at the front court yard, Even when the near and dear ones despised and deserted, My mother who gave birth, cared for and brought me up, Did not blame me and did not reject me- her son, as bad
Even when I toiled as a Cooli with a bent back, Even when I sat down with my looks dulled and dirty, Even when I wore patched up old clothes, My mother never said that I was down ; never rejected me as poor!
Even when I entered the stables and cleaned the dung, Even when I sat on the rock and tendered the cows, Even when I lifted loads to earn so as to suppress the hunger, My mother never found any fault ; never scolded me as ignorant.
Save the TIGER

Tiger is HULI in Badaga Lanuage
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Thanks for your visit to this site. Appara Santhosha
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- License.
©http://badaga.in and http://badaga.wordpress.com 2006-2011
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and owner, Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash and http://badaga.in with appropriate and specific direction to the original content
Baarivi, Nodivi, Odhivi & Oridivi ! [Come, See, Read & Listen!] பாரிவி, நோடிவி, ஓதிவி & ஓரிடிவி Website of Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash©2006-2012
Baarivi, Nodivi, Odhivi & Oridivi ! [Come, See, Read & Listen!] பாரிவி, நோடிவி, ஓதிவி & ஓரிடிவி
Website of Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash©2006-2012
Baarivi, Nodivi, Odhivi & Oridivi ! [Come, See, Read & Listen!] பாரிவி, நோடிவி, ஓதிவி & ஓரிடிவி
Website of Wing Commander Bellie Jayaprakash©2006-2012
Badaga Ringtones

For Badaga ringtones for your mobile phones click here | or | here |:|:|:|
Donate your EYES

==
Athikkodhu & Karu Harachodhu

The beauty about Badaga community is not only the unique customs specific to the community but the steadfast belief with which atleast some of them are followed by Badagas. One of them is the loud chanting of ‘Athikkodhu – EAY AH HOW – on certain but specific occasions. It is said that in earlier days [hundreds of years back], when the Badaga villages [hattis] were separated by thick jungle forests , 'athikkindu Hoppadhu ' - traversing the forest with loud athikkodhu chant - kept the wild animals away.
Three occasions, when this loud chanting takes place, come to mind immediately, 1)During “hethay Habba’ – both when from every village the devotees go to Hethay temples at Beragani and Peddhuva [as well as when the Hethay deity from Hethai Gudi is taken to ‘Madi Halla -river’ for change into new dress once a year].Also, and whenever a hatti temple deity is taken on procession during habbas in hattis], 2) During weddings when the bride and groom are brought to the ‘Madhuvay Mane – wedding house' and the newly weds are taken to the temple and 3) On funerals when the widow is brought for ‘olay Kattodhu’ and the ‘akki eththuva ‘ procession starts from the ‘dhodda Mane’ to ‘saavu hanay ‘ where the corpse/body is kept before being taken for burial.

This loud ‘chanting /cry’ is made from the bottom of the stomach by a few leading the procession and repeated by the rest following them.
I have given the ‘live’ recordings of this unique chanting (recorded during a wedding [the band playing in the background] at Thambatty > Athikkodhu-madhuvay and at a funeral at Kundhey Ketchigatty) > Athikkodhu-saavu
Karu Haruchodu || Ever since I became aware of the verses of ‘Karu Harachodhu’ , I felt how nice it would be if these beautiful words could be given in English [ both in script and as translation] so that the present day youngsters could understand one of the most important and significant part (prayer) of Badaga funeral rites. Read the full article > here

You can listen to this prayer [rendered by Wg Cdr JP] by clicking the play button belowBadaga funeral prayer in AUDIO
Needs & Greeds

Here's a question that was posed to the Dalai Lama:
"What thing about humanity surprises you the most?"
His answer is : "MAN - Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices his money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn't enjoy the present,
And as a result he doesn't live in the present or the future. And he lives as if he's never going to die and then he dies having never really lived".
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Badaga Funeral Prayer

Karu Harachodhu in the voice of Wg Cdr JP Go here for Pictures and more info"
What we said earlier
Save the Nilgiris : Save the Tigers
Go here

to listen to some great Badaga Songs on line
Send To Readmill
Send to Readmill
More than 260,000 visitors….

That is a lot of hits for a website [weblog] on BADAGA that is focused on a small community of the Blue Mountains - the Nilgiris, in the southern part of India. Is it due to...

the urge to know the unknown about ourselves....

to sift the truth from fiction....the satisfaction that we have a very unique history.....the mystery about the mistaken migration.....the traditions that are still steadfastly followed.....the great language that has survived for centuries without a script...

The simple fact that this site's motto of 'Proud to be a Badaga ; Proud to be an Indian' has become an accepted norm...

You all, my dear and loyal friends, have made me bow my head in gratitude.

Proud to be an Indian and proud to be a Badaga, indeed.

Hope to say - 'thanks a million' soon...

Started as a hobby but now an obsession.This website crossed the milestone of 100,000 visitors on 8th March,2010 and 150,000 visitors on 20th April,2011. Feel humbled but proud

Copyright © Bellie Jayaprakash 2006-2012

Dedicated to my mother Mrs.Idyammal Bellie Gowder [1912-2011] who gave everything to me
I have heard a lot about Thangaadu L.Krishnan. To say the least, his voice is very unique and the more you listen to his songs, the more you want to listen. Simply great.
One of the songs from the album, is “Kundha Paala Roadu dhoge”…the original Badaga 'aatta' [dance] song. I remember listening to this dance number fifty years back, a song which was a must in any habba. Old timers will remember this song being referred to as ‘ Baby powder’a bekku endhagha, Bella na hennu en Janagi, Akka akka huttidha awai, ondhu jolia heghine baali’. There are 19 songs on this album. Enjoy !!
Letter

Anand Ramachandran(Muttinadu) writes :This is the the first time I am visiting this site.... It took 5 hours to go through this site, you have done a fantastic job. Its just like a bible for our next generation. Thanks for your commitment!
Kerban Bella Gowder, a great Badaga Singer
Click for Badaga songs
Bhuvaneshwari R writes :- This website is one of the best I have seen. Didn’t think I would find so much detail about our culture. The history of origin of Badagas is quite fascinating. Photos are also really great. Really good to see someone do an effort to spread awareness.Thank you… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit this site

Badaga is a small community, being one of the original native tribes of the beautiful Blue Mountains, a much visited tourist destination of South India, in the Tamil Nadu state of India.

Know about Badagas

All about Badagas...their unique history, origin, culture, customs, rituals, language and lifestyle!

WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BADAGAS! Baarivi, Nodivi, Oridivi & Odhivi! [Come, See, Listen and Read!] பாரிவி, நோடிவி, ஓதிவி & ஓரிடிவி.

(read the full article here)
More than 260,000 visitors to this site

Navitha Ramesh writes "I just happened to see your website www.badaga.co. I am a Badaga too and I should tell you that you have done a great job!! There is a Badaga group on Facebook......It would be great if you give us your valuable opinions.