Tulu dialect finds a Kasaragod Malayalam voice

First translation celebrates rich dialect, rustic splendour

Kochi- Kerala-Nanabellichen poya thirichittu Spl

Just as a ‘standard language’ effaces its numerous and dynamic dialectical variants, the overarching influence of a high-class language seeks to obliterate its subaltern variant, no matter its cultural riches.

Tulu, traditionally spoken by the subalterns of the area bordering Kasaragod and Karnataka and abundant in oral literature and folk traditions, suffered this ignominy, losing precious ground before the dominant Kannada language.

Contemporary Tulu underwent a resurrection of sorts with writer-columnist-academic Mahalinga writing a short novel,

Nanajjaru Sude Thirgayeru in 1994, which went on to win accolades.

A rendering of the work in rural Kasaragod Malayalam done by academic T.K. Ravindran and titled,

Nanabellichan Poya Thirichittu is now out on the stands, sitting snugly as the first ever translation into Malayalam of a Tulu literary work.

“The original and its Malayalam rendering are both historical–the first attempts to revive a forgotten tongue while the translation celebrates a rich dialect with rustic splendour,” writes author Ambikasuthan Mangad in his introduction to the diminutive tome.

Mahalinga, the original author of the work, told

The Hindu that the work captures the perennial tussle between people and nature, its spirit very much intact in the ‘natural’ translation.

For Mr. Ravindran, who translated the work in just about a month and half in 2006, the fictional work puts in perspective the clash between tradition and modernity while subaltern Tulu’s struggle for survival against the onslaught of Kannada, spoken by elite Brahmins represented by the aged protagonist, forms its subtext.

“As the title suggests, it’s about the effort of an old Brahmin to tame nature, rather dominate it.

Set in rural Kasaragod towards the mid-20 century, the work has no chronological progression. Its loose episodic structure is characteristically modern and suits the narrative,” he says.

Mr. Ravindran began translating the work in ‘print’ Malayalam, but chose to settle for Kasaragod Malayalam that was natural and captured the spirit of the original more effectively. “Kasaragod Malayalam has quite a few Tulu-origin expressions,” he reasons.

Though inherently different, the work reminds the reader of the struggles of the protagonist in S.K. Pottekkad’s Vishakanyaka , a celebrated eco-feminist work of fiction, suggests Mr. Mangad, adding a whole new dimension to its reading.

If the process of translating it was rather effortless, the wait to find a publisher lasted eight years.

“I sent the translation to several publishers, in private and government, but it received a thumbs-down on account of issues with ‘marketability’. It was then that Mr. Mangad read the manuscript and helped us bring it out,” he said.

Published by Thiri Leaves, Mangalore, the translation has a cover price of Rs. 120.