‘Badaga Community’- படுக சமுதாயம் by Sivaji Raman

During the present visit to the Nilgiris (Jan,2010) I came across another book on Badaga by Jakkanaarai SIVAJI RAMAN. The book is in Tamil and titled ‘படுக சமுதாயம் [Badaga Samudhayam]’ – Badaga Community. It appears to be a private publication with a forward by Rev.Malli (Originally of Kerbetta Village).

One of the most interesting information Sivaji Raman conveys in his book is that Badaga language finds extensive mention in old – purana – Tamil literature like  ” Tholkaeppiam” where it is  clearly mentioned that Badaga was a separate language spoken in a northernnation to Tamil nadu called ‘VADAGAM [Badaga]’, the other ‘countries’ being Karnadagam [Kannada], Konganam [Konkani], Kudagam [Coorgi], Thuluvam [Thulu], Telingam [Telugu] and  Kalingam [Oriya]. He goes on to quote a few verses where ‘vadaga’ is mentioned. He is of the opinion that Badaga can be traced back to 2300 years.
Sivaji Raman laments :
படுக மொழி தற்பொழுது படிப்பு, தொழில் ஆகியவற்றில் தமிழ் மற்றும் ஆங்கில்லத்தின் தாக்கம் காரணமாக மிகவும் மாறுபட்டு பேசப்படுகிறது. தூய படுகு தெரிந்தவர்களே இல்லை என்றாகிவிட்டது. இது படுக மொழியில் சொல் பஞ்ச்சத்தால் ஏற்பட்டதன்று. படுக மொழியின் ஏராளமான சொற்கள் மறக்கப்பட்டு மறைந்து விட்டன. இதற்கு காரணம் படுகு மொழிக்கு வரிவடிவம் இல்லாததேயாகும் (Badaga is spoken very differently due to the influence  by Tamil and English on education and profession. It appears that there are none who know ‘PURE’ Badaga. This is not due to lack of words in Badaga. Lot of Badaga words have been forgotten [due to the influence of Tamil and English] and hence become extinct. The reason for this is that BADAGA language DOES NOT HAVE A SCRIPT).

I totally agree with him.

There is a lot of information on Badaga Habbas like ‘Dhodda Habba, Biththu Ikkuva Habba, Uppu Attuva Habba, Sakkalaaththi’ etc apart from a variety of topics on and of Badaga.

Another laudable effort by a Badaga on Badaga. Very interesting book. Hope to write more on this book soon.