MAKING OF MALAYALAM - Caste, S3x & Language in Keralam

Summary

This video explores the evolution and sociopolitical dynamics of the Malayalam language in medieval Kerala. It discusses how Malayalam diverged from Tamil and the significant Sanskrit influence on it, particularly in the 12th-16th centuries. By examining Manipravalam, a hybrid language used in poetic and musical contexts, the video highlights how language served as a tool for cultural and caste-based hierarchies. It reflects on how linguistic shifts mirrored the societal changes of Kerala, illustrating the role of language in both shaping and reinforcing political and patriarchal identities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Languages evolve over time and are deeply tied to human identity, making it difficult to trace their exact origins.
• 😀 Attempting to label certain languages as 'mother languages' based on their age is an unreasonable approach because languages evolve and change.
• 😀 Malayalam, a Dravidian language, has distinct linguistic features that separate it from its close relative, Tamil, primarily due to the integration of Sanskrit elements.
• 😀 The term 'Manipravalam' refers to a hybrid language that blends classical Sanskrit with Dravidian languages like Malayalam and Tamil, most notably used in poetry and music during the 12th century.
• 😀 Manipravalam was favored over Malayalam and Tamil for musical compositions because Dravidian languages are consonant-heavy and harder to sing melodically.
• 😀 The integration of Sanskrit into Malayalam, especially during the medieval period, was influenced by the migration of Brahmin families to Kerala, marking a significant sociopolitical shift.
• 😀 The 12th to 16th centuries in Kerala were marked by political fragmentation and the rise of local chieftains, which led to a complex social hierarchy influenced by caste distinctions.
• 😀 The rise of Brahmin-controlled temples played a central role in shaping Kerala's culture and language, further reinforcing social stratification, including the marginalization of lower-caste people.
• 😀 The 'Leela' text, a 14th-century grammar treatise on Manipravalam, illustrates the prescriptive nature of language, positioning Sanskritized Manipravalam as superior to the local Malayalam spoken by lower-caste individuals.
• 😀 Manipravalam texts, especially in their portrayal of women, reinforce patriarchal and misogynistic values, objectifying women and constructing them as subordinate to male desire.

Q & A

What is the main theme explored in the video script?

The video explores the relationship between language, identity, and power by examining how Sanskrit and Malayalam interacted in medieval Kerala, revealing how language can serve as both a cultural mirror and a tool of social hierarchy.

Why does the speaker argue that discussing the 'age' of a language is unproductive?

The speaker argues that since languages evolve continuously and are tied to human identity, it is difficult to determine when exactly a language was 'born.' Instead, understanding why languages develop and diverge is more meaningful.

What is Manipravalam and how did it function linguistically?

Manipravalam is a hybrid literary language combining Sanskrit (the 'gem') and Dravidian languages like Malayalam or Tamil (the 'coral'). It was mainly used for poetry and music, flourishing in Kerala’s royal courts between the 12th and 16th centuries.

Why was Manipravalam preferred over Malayalam or Tamil in musical contexts?

Manipravalam was preferred because Dravidian languages like Malayalam and Tamil are consonant-heavy, making them less suitable for melodic singing. The Sanskrit elements in Manipravalam made it more fluid and musically adaptable.

How did the social context of Kerala influence the development of Manipravalam?

During the 12th–16th centuries, Kerala’s society was politically fragmented and caste-stratified, with Brahmins controlling temples and cultural discourse. This control shaped Manipravalam as a linguistic tool reinforcing Brahminical dominance.

What does the Leela Tilakam reveal about linguistic hierarchy in medieval Kerala?

The Leela Tilakam establishes a distinction between 'pure' and 'impure' languages, labeling the vernacular Malayalam spoken by lower castes as inferior while elevating Sanskritized Manipravalam as superior, reflecting prescriptive linguistic elitism.

In what ways did Manipravalam reinforce caste hierarchies?

Manipravalam reinforced caste hierarchies by associating Sanskritized language with upper-caste purity and by dismissing the local vernaculars of lower castes as inferior or 'dirty,' legitimizing Brahminical cultural authority.

How does the script describe the treatment of women in Manipravalam texts?

The script explains that Manipravalam literature often portrays women through a patriarchal lens, sexualizing female bodies and reducing women to objects of male desire, reinforcing gender-based subordination.

What are some examples of misogynistic language in Manipravalam literature?

Terms like 'moo,' derived from Sanskrit meaning 'useless,' and 'halavar,' meaning 'empty' or 'hole,' were used to describe women, linguistically constructing them as voids or lacking agency.

How does the speaker connect Kerala’s linguistic history with its social structures?

The speaker suggests that Kerala’s history of caste oppression and patriarchal practices is intertwined with its linguistic evolution—where Sanskritization not only shaped Malayalam but also reflected and reinforced social inequalities.

What broader message does the video convey about the purpose of language?

The video concludes that language can either reflect the collective identity and creativity of a people or serve as a weapon for those in power to legitimize social hierarchies and oppression.

Who is the creator of the video, and what topics does he usually discuss?

The video is created by Mike Megle, who produces content about Dravidian culture, history, and linguistics.