Beauty of Languages......

Hi all,

I think my last blog was in November 2011.

Thought it's time I venture out once again..................

Talk about languages, any language has its own beauty if handled properly - this is true not only of English, but also many Indian Languages.

During my school days, (wonder years!) two classes I particularly enjoyed were the first language (Sanskrit) handled by Sri. Ramanatha Sharma, and second language (Malayalam), handled by one Venugopal. Both were too good at anecdotes. In fact, both Sanskrit & Malayalam has many common words, grammatic styles etc., though Sanskrit grammar differed in verbal forms for eka, dwi, and bahu vachanas. Also, you have first, second, and third persons. (Similar to German)

One of the anecdotes from my Sanskrit teacher was about a humorous Keralite poet by name Tholan Namboodiri.

One day namboodiri chanted the following shloka loudly, while he was praying at a Siva temple:

Maaraare thava daasoham

Vaariyasya jataanthare / 

Empraahuravyayam nityam 

Thanthrinetram namaamyaham //

After hearing this, those engaged in temple service, viz. the Maaraar (Drummer), Vaariyar (who procures flowers for the temple), Empraan (the temple priest) and Thanthri (who looks after the temple rituals), were furious and came running to him. They asked Tholan how he could abuse them........

Tholan was very cool and replied.

"I did not mean any one of you. The meaning of the shloka is

Maraare (Mara - are) means Oh. The enemy (ari) of Maaraa (cupid) i.e. shiva.

Vaariyasya (vaari yasya jataanthare) - In whose jata in the head in there is water or ganga. Empraahuravyayam (yam praahuhuh avyayam) - who is said to be avyaya - nondestructible. 

Thamthrinetram (tham thrinetram) That three eyed i.e. shiva"

All of them were happy and went back.

(Ref. post in "indus ladies. com" in February 2008, by one Ms. Subha) 

http://www.indusladies.com/forums/forward-messages-and-jokes/20277-funny-sloka.html

My Malayalam teacher too had his own imaginative and splitting stories about popular characters of Kerala history.

One was about Kunjan Nambiar, the exponent of the art form called "Ottam Thullal". Those were days when even cinema was unheard of, let alone TV or Internet etc. The main form of entertainment was music, and folk arts. Kathakali, Chaakyar Koothu etc., were popular, and were staged during temple festivals. 'Chaakyar Koothu' being satirical rendition enjoyed mass patronage. the main narrator is Chaakyar, supported by Nambiar, and the huge mridangam-like timing instrument is played by Nangiar (lady). One such program was getting into late night, with the narrator in full bloom. Poor nambiar was feeling sleepy and dozed off for a second. Chaakyar made fun of nambiar and went on ridiculing him in front the public. Nambiar felt very much humiliated, and was almost on the verge of tears.

Usually, 'koothu' goes on for a week - subjects like "Kalyana Sowgandhigam", or a leaf from Ramayana or Mahabharata would be presented. Next day, Nambiar didn't report for duty.

Instead, he started a performance designed all by himself. While 'koothu' was drab narration with occasional slokas, Nambiar was singing rhymic poems, and moving about the area dancing. gesticulating etc. Slowly, the entire crowd started gathering to watch the new art form. The subsequent support and patronage for what came to be known as "Ottam Thullal" was amazing. Kunjan Nambiar went on performing in several temples, all over Kerala for a very long time. I myself have enjoyed the performances of one of his famous predecessors, Malabar Raman Nair.

Another anecdote about Kunjan Nambiar goes thus:

Once he went to perform in front of the 'Naaduvaazhi' (chieftain of one of the provinces in Kerala). Naaduvazhi was bit upset with Nambiar when his minister complained about him. Apparently, the minister had asked Nambiar who he was, when Nambiar asked back who the minister was. Some insult, that was.

Unperturbed, our friend explained politely.

"നമ്പി ആരെന്നു ചോദിച്ചു,

നമ്പിയാർ എന്ന് ചൊല്ലിനേൻ,

നമ്പി കേട്ടഥ കോപിച്ചു,

തമ്പുരാനേ പൊറുക്കണേ ....."

"Nambi aarennu chodichoo, 

Nambiar ennu chollinen,

Nambi kettadh kopichoo, 

Thamburaane porukkane.."

Now 'nambi' means 'you' in Malayalam. You will be able to appreciate the sense of humour our Nambiar had..........

MORE LATER....

Enjoy......................

 

a n a n d . . . . .
for ever..........

    

Friendship isn't about who you have known the longest.
It's about who come and never leave your side.