378. Koraga words in Tulu

The study of Koraga language and culture is significant from the point of understanding the overall evolution of the Tulu language with which it is closely associated. The Koraga at present contains a large number of Tulu equivalent words, which has tempted some of the Dravidian linguists to infer that Koraga is a branch of Tulu. Interestingly, it also has words that remind possible historical connections with other Dravidan languages like Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu.

Following H.A. Stuart in the year 1891(cited in Bhat 1971), some of the linguists, have considered the Koraga as a dialect of Tulu.  However, others like Brodie (1886) have considered the Koraga language as an independent Dravidian language, and not a dialect of Tulu.  

Antiquity of Koraga   tribes

The tribes are known Koraga in Tulu and Kannada. However they call themselves as Korru. For example, Pangala Babu Koraga (2016) in his introductory book let on Koragas used the term ‘Kor’ or ‘Korru’.

1. The antiquity of the Kor/Koraga tribes is evident from the nature of bari system prevailing among them. The primitive nature of bari lineage system currently prevailing among the Koraga (Post. 368).

Basically, the Koraga have basically two baris namely: (a) Tappu (or Soppu) and (b) Kuntu (or Kapada).  The “tappu” in Tulu or “soppu” in Kannada means leaves; (This group of tribes used bunch of large leaves tied around their waist to cover their private parts, in the form of attire). The “kunTu” in Tulu and “kapaDa” in Prakrit language means cloths. Thus the two basic bari groups correspond to ancient tribes (a) those Koraga tribes wearing leaves only (around their loins) and (b) those Koraga tribes wearing cloths.

Thus the primitive type of ‘bari’ classification of Koraga tribes suggests a remote point in the ancient history where the primitive tribes (a) wore leaves to cover their modesty and (b) those evolved to wear cloths. Probably, no other tribes in coastal Karnataka/India have preserved this sort of primitive lineage classifications, which suggests that the Koraga are one of the earliest among the surviving human tribes in the West Coast before and during the time of invention and evolution of wearing cloths.

2. The Koraga tribes apparently were the witness to the evolution of castes and communities in Tulunadu. It is reported that the Koraga folklores describe Billava-Bunt-Mogaveera communities   as   children of elder and younger sisters- which means that from the similar source groups these communities have evolved over the time. Even the nature of the shared common bari groups among Tulu communities suggest that the communities have come into existence during a later period.

3. At present, the Koraga tribes are distributed mainly in the southern States of Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. However, probably related tribes known as Kora and   Korwa are found mainly within West Bengal and Orissa.

There are numerous villages in India that have been named after the Kor tribes during the past history. A general survey of statistical data on distribution of villages named after Kor tribes would give us an understanding of the wide distribution of these tribes during the antiquity.

Kor villages in India

There are not less than 1023 villages in India named after Kor tribes and those begin with the prefix of Kor.  Uttar Pradesh 156; Andhra Pradesh 109; Jharkhand 109; Maharshtra 99; Bihar 96; Chattisgarh 83; Karnataka 80; Orissa 76;  Madhya Pradesh 39;  Tamilnadu 32. West Bengal 23; Assam 21; Rajasthan 20; Arunachal Pradesh 16; Uttara Khand 14; Jammu & Kashmir 13; Meghalaya 13; Punjab 8;  Gujarat 8; Other states each less than 2.

Some of the examples of Kor place names include: Kora, Koru, Korai, Korna, Korakoppa, Korti, Koratagere, Korahalli, Korvi, Korvihal, Kortoor, Koryal, Korkunte, Koramangala, Koralur, Korda, Korakuriya, Korbi, Korla,  Korche, Korabar, Korasi, Korekera, Korma, Korea, Korgo,  Korpal, Koragam, Korapa, Korem, Korraguda, Korukonda, Korabandi, Koraibari, Koranga, Korapalli, Koripunja, Korapur, Korkodu etc.

Additionally, there are about 1983 villages in India that begin with the prefix of Kur.

Koraga/ Korru: Regional equivalents                          

The tribes are called Koraga at present in southern states of Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Kerala, whereas in West Bengal and Orissa region, we find analogous tribes elsewhere in India known as Kora or Korwa, which possibly could be the regional equivalents of the Koragas. The Koragas call themselves as Korru or Korre (from example, Babu Koraga describes the Koraga language as “Korrena bhāshe” in his book cited at reference below.) Thus it appears that the tribes and their language in question were known as Kor or Korru earlier and the suffix –ga was added subsequently, especially in parts of southern India.

The “Korr” has   also been preserved in place names such as “Kordel”, ( kor+da+el ) which  represented  the habitation of the Korr(u) people.

The meaning of the   term “Korru” has been explained variously sometimes emotionally but it appears that the actual original meaning would simply be “the people” or “the human beings”. Note that a man or husband is known as “Korrayi” and a woman or wife is known as “Korati” or “Korti”, where the suffixes –ayi And –ati being gender indicators and the common prefix “korr “  as a logical deduction  would have a meaning equivalent to a person or a human being.

Koraga Linguistics

According to Shankar Bhat (1971) the Koraga is a distinct member of Dravidian family and is only remotely connected to Tulu. Shankar Bhat (1971) has recognized three distinct dialects of Koraga language, such as   Onti, Tappu and Mudu versions based on the data obtained from informants in  Udupi, Hebri and Kundapur, Respectively. However, the dialectical variations in the Koraga, appear to have developed over the time span under the influence of regionally dominant languages like Tulu (Udupi, Hebri) and Kannada (Kundapur). Because of the dominating influence of regional languages like Kannada and Tulu we shall not be able to decipher the original state of the Koraga language that might have existed in the antiquity.

Koraga lingual versions

As far as the study of dialectical variations within the Koraga are concerned, it would be easy to understand the dialectical variation in Koraga if we recognize the variations by locations/places like Udupi, Hebri and Kundapur rather than the arbitrary Onti, Tappu or Mudu etc respectively. In Tappu Koraga of Hebri region, the p in  Koraga words become h (Kannadization) as in  the case of words like:  portu- ≥hortu; pudar-≥hudar;puge-≥huge; pu:ji-≥hu:ji ..etc

Shankara Bhat (1971) considers close affinity of Koraga language with Northern Dravidian languages like Kudux, Malto and Brahui, based on following linguistic features:

(i) The past tense k---g---kk   in Koraga is   feature analogous to North Dravidian languages.

(ii) Non-past/present suffix   is n in Udupi (Onti) - Kundapur (Mudu) versions and n---nn—n in   Hebri (Tappu). In North Dravidian Kudux has n in third person present plural and in verbal nouns.

(iii) In Udupi (Onti), has a suffix o similar to North Dravidian Kudux future suffix o.

(iv) The gender-number distinction found in third person finite verb forms in Koraga are similar to that of Kudux.

(v) The plural suffix in irrational nouns Hebri (Tappu) Koraga similar to those of Kudux.

(vi) Other characteristic features of Koraga are (a) perfect suffix a-a (b) locative suffix t (c) relative past participle (d) root tar with restricted sense of to give to I or II person and (e) simplicity of its past stem derivation.

Koraga Words

Shankar Bhat (1971) and Babu Koraga (2016) have provided lists of Koraga words. Here below we shall classify the available Koraga words broadly into (apparent) (i) exclusive Koraga words and (ii) Shared Words in Koraga and Tulu languages.

(i) Koraga Vocabulary

(=with English meaning)

a:tri =to throw

Aadu—Aavu= agreed

Aakude—AanDa= but

AayinTa—AyaD=by him

Aba—ade= that side

Aba—anchi=that side

Abanta—anchiDdu=from that side.

Acchakude—anchanda=in that case

Acchi—(anchane =like that)

Achara- - (anchi= there)

Adavu-              ( - flesh/mutton)

Addu--------(avu=it)

Addu=avu=that one

Adeg=adeg=to there

Adeg—adeg= to there.

Adenta—ayiddu, aleDdu= by it/by her

Agad—Avodu = Has to be

Agaku—Atundu = Has been

Agar =to stand

Akalaga- -adaga = then

Akkal—(adaga= then ; (Kan: aagal)

AmanTa—enkaleDdu=from us

Amarega—enkaleg =to us

AnDa—anda= Is it?

Anga—enk= to me.

Ankodi-- ……………-waist band

AnTa—altDdu= from there

AnTa—enaDdu= by me

Asinta—anchina= that type

A:tri -----(=to throw)

Auru—(u)nuppu= rice(cooked)

Ayig—Ayag= to him

BaaDa—balaa=come

BaDanji—bodchi=does not want

Banji—barpuji=(shall ) not come.

BaraDu—barODu=let come

Bu:di =to carry on shoulder

Burpi—bulp(uni)= to cry

Butar =to fall

Buttar—boor(uni)= to fall down

ChaaDu---toovoDu= have to see

Chaile—saitina=devil

Chainji—saitiji= has not died

ChaipiDi—keru=to kill

Chaiyad—saiyaD=let die

Chammayi—maasa=flesh;mutton

Chankyaak--tooyineTTaanD=(saved) by seeing

Chapar--ekkale=cockroach

Charalge—kombatel= scorpion

Chatikure—kuDupu=to brush off

Chavala—taala= cymbals

Chika—koru=give

Chojji— kirumbu= to scratch (skin)

Chone—sune= latex

Chor—ini=today

Chov—tevu=colocasia/taro

Chumal--tummonu=to carry (load)

Chumpi—chellu=to dispose (liquid)

Chu—too(pini)=to see

Daandi=daalijji=nothing

Dee---iddi/ijji=no

Dendal—devastana=temple

Doover—ujjer=long wooden pestle (rice beating post);” Onake”

Eccha—eccha= more, excess

Ecchi—encha= how?

Ecchi—encha=how?

Ekala--Epa= when?

Ekkunad—geruni = to winnow

ErenTa—EreDa= from/by whom?

Eru—koDe= yesterday

GanDe—aanjovu=man

GanDlu—aanjovulu=men (Kan: ganDu)

Gille=leaf cup

GoranTi—maNe=small seating/stool

Icche, pokkade=inchane pokkaDe= haage summane, like this simply

Icchi—inchene=like this

Ichara—inchi = this side

ijji=yee=you

ikke=imbe=he(this man)

ikkel=mokul=thses people.

Ikkel—imber=this person/these people.

Ikyag—imbeg= to this man.

ikyanTa—imbeDdu=from him

Inta=enchina=what?

Inteka=enchinekk= why?

isinta—inchina= this kind.

jaavu—jaa(pini)= to unload

jevu—umil=mosquito

jnegaDi--                  ,  golle=sphlegm

Jnegaru--?   Suli= whirlpool

jo:ku =to wash

kaDDu--kaDpu=to cut; severe

kala—kana= to bring

kalekal—getoNu= to fetch; collect

kalepo—getondu po= fetch and go

kappu-- kOmpu    =to bury

ke:l=rice pot

killi =small

koDtayi--gurikara=leader

konDaldayi—ucchu/mari   =serpent, cobra

konke—nalke= dance

kooje—Aan mage/mage =boy

kooji---Ponnu magal/magal=girl

koppa—illu=house

kOraga--koriya=have given

korayi=husband

korru—korager=Koraga (tribe)

korti=wife

kOru—ker= to kill

kOru--koru=give

KoTakOri --              = grass hopper

Kotte=urine

kotte--paDke=urine

koyi--eluttagoodu=ribcage

kujerlu—jokulu=children

ma:ti=to do

me:ke=stomach

mede =afterwards, bokka/matte

mide—bokka= next

na:ke=I have told

naDa-- ?  =like (“anta”)

nakulu—nama=we

namrega—enkaleg= for us

ne:ki =fear

nekal-- ? = fear

Nikulu—nikulu=you people

Nimareg= nikaleg=to you people

ninga—nikku= to you.

Nooner--panper=(they) tell

Nooni—panpe=(he) tells

Noo—paN= tell

Nu=to say/

Oba=oba*= which way? (for cattle)

oba—oba= which way? (As addresses to domesticated cattle)

Oddu=ovvu=Which one?

Oker—itter=(they) existed.

Oku—itta=existed

ollagu=it barked. (Kan: ooliDu)

ollu=to bark

Oodaa—(uppaa= Shall it be?)

Oodu---(uppu= may exist.)

Ooji--ijjer=did not exist; were absent.

Ooker—uller= (they) existed

Ooku—ullolu=it /she existed

Oonaga—uppunaga=when (they) existed

OonDaa?—uppaa?= will it be?

OonDu—uppunDu= (it/she) shall exist

Orabar—giDapu= to drive/send away

pa:ki=he has gone

pakala=going oneself

paranTe-koranTu=cashew kernel

paravag—paratinD=crawled

pared—pali=elder sister

pariku—paratinD=flowed

patte=alms

pile—pile= sootaka

puDDu—patt(uni)=to hold

pullapo—paondu po=hold and go

ranD—unDu=(it/she) exists

ranner--uller=(they) exist.

ranni--ulle= (he) exists

sakala=seeing oneself

silp =whirl

sollu=to say (Malayalam)

ta—koru=give

tale--koDi=endpiece (Kan:tale)

tanji—korpuji=would not give

tar =to give(I, II person)

tarjer--kortujer=has not given

tirgala—tirgavu(nu)=to rotate

tojir—tojavu(ni)=to show

tOnji—tojuji= does not show

tOru--.. charma   =skin

Upa--inchi= this side

upanTa--inchiDdu= from this side

uppud--uppu=may be

urmal—barchuni= combing (hair)

urmu--barchu=to comb

Uta—getoN=take

Utek—undek=for this; for her.

utenTa—by this /by her

uttu=molu=she(this woman)

valli =to bark

Yeni=Yepa= when?

(ii) Koraga – Tulu :Shared Vocabulary

Koraga (Udupi)-----(Equivalent Tulu  with=English meaning)

aanD—(AanD=Done)

Aani—(Aani = that day)

Aayi---(aaye =he(that man)

AayinTa—(AyaD/AayanTa =by him)

Aba—anchi = that side

Abanta—(anchiDdu=from that side.)

Adangayi—(uppad=pickle) [Tu. & Ka.]

Adavu----(aDavu ?= flesh/mutton)

Addu---(avu=it; adu (Kan).

Addu----(avu=that one)

Adeg----(adeg=to there)

Adeka—(ayik =for it /for her)

Adenta—(ayiddu, aleDdu= by it/by her)

Agar ---(agar=to stand; hedge)

Ajal---(ajal =sacrificial food)

Akal—(akul=they)

Ame—(ame= naming ceremony)

Ammavu—(enkalena=ours; Yemmavu; Nammavu (Kan)*

AmmaDe----( ammer=father)

Anda—(anda= Is it?)

Ankodi—(……?………-waist band)

AnTa—(enaDdu= by me)

Arantal- -(beedu =House)

Auru—(u)nuppu= rice(cooked).; Autana (Kan)

Ayig—(Ayag = to him)

baaDa—(balaa=come)

baDanji—(bodchi=does not want)

baida—(baida/mardu=medicine)

banji—(barpuji=(shall ) not come).

baraDu—(barODu=let come)

bijji—biji(kre)=firewood/leaves

binner—binner=guests

birdu—birdu*/madime=marriage celebration.  * “birdavoli”

birkiri—birk(uni)=to spill/spread randomly

boDu—buDu=to leave; discard

boor—booru=creeper; wild twigs

booru—booru(ni)= to fall ;to sleep

bu:di=to carry on shoulder

bu:ri= to fall/bu:rgi=he fell.

butar--- (booru =to fall)

buttar—boor(uni)= to fall down

chaaDu-toovoDu= have to see

chaile—saitina=devil

Chainji—saitiji= has not died

ChaipiDi—keru=to kill

chaiyad—saiyaD=let die

chammayi—maasa=flesh;mutton

Chankyaak--tooyineTTaanD=(saved) by seeing

chapar---ekkale=cockroach

chappu—tappu=leaves

charalge—kombatel= scorpion

chatikure—kuDupu=to brush off

chavala—taala= cymbals

chay----( sai = to die )

chaypi= to kill

chellu-paN=tell

chigale—tigale=chest

chika—koru=give

chinape—kinnyappe= aunt; mothers sister

chojji— kirumbu= to scratch (skin)

chone—sune= latex

choru—toru=seep(rain)

Chov—(tevu=colocasia/taro)

chumal—(tummonu=to carry (load)

Chumpi—chellu=to dispose (liquid)

Chu—too(pini)=to see

Daandi----(daalijji=nothing)

dakk---(dakk= to throw)

dakkaddi--- (dakkije=has not thrown)

deber—dever=God

dee-iddi/ijji=no

dendal—devastana=temple

doo—goo(ppuni)=to spill

doover—ujjer=long wooden pestle(rice beating post);” Onake”

dorpu            -----(dorpu=to pour,solids)

du:  (gu=overflow)

Ecchi—encha= how?

Ecchi—encha=how?

Ekala—(Epa= when?)

Ekku—(ekku=reach -by hand)

enkal—enkul=we

Erdu—(eru=male buffaloe/bull)

ErenTa—EreDa= from/by whom?

gaDavu—kaDaga= bangle

gaddavu—gaddavu=eating plate

ganDe—aanjovu=man

ganDlu—aanjovulu=men

ganTel--kanTel=neck

gerpu            ---- (derpu=to lift)

gErpu—derpu=to lift up

gODipu—goDipu=to join

goranTi—maNe=small seating/stool

Icche, pokkade=inchane pokkaDe= haage summane, like this simply

Icchi—inchene=like this

Ichara—(inchi = this side)

IDeg—(iDeg =to here)

ijji=yee=you

ikkel=mokul=thses people.

Inta=enchina=what?

Inteka=enchinekk= why?

jaavu—jaa(pini)= to unload

jevu—umil=mosquito

Jinji ----(jinja/ dinja =to be full )

jnegaDi--                  , golle=sphlegm

Jnegaru--?   Suli= whirlpool

Jnegaru—negar(uni)= to creep

Jnela—nela=ground,earth

Jnimpu—kinku=to nip or pinch.

jo:ku ----( dekk,dekkuni=to wash)

joo—dee(pini)= to keep

ju:  =to keep

kaavu—kaapu= to wait

kaDapu--kaDapu*= boat/ ferry*

kaDDayi--dolu=drum; kaDayi=vessel (Kan)

kaDDu--kaDpu=to cut; severe

kaiyer--kaipu=curry

kajavu—kajavu=garbage

kala—kana= to bring

kalepo—getondu po= fetch and go

kappu-- kOmpu    =to bury

karamedakulu—Mundala =Mundala tribe

katte—katti= sickle, sword

kilepu—kilepu= to cry (fowls, birds)

koDtayi--gurikara=leader

koiper—kulupe =ant

koitar—kuttar(uni)=to boil

konDaldayi—ucchu/mari   =serpent, cobra

koni—nalipu=to dance

konke—nalke= dance

kooje—Aan mage/mage =boy

kooji---Ponnu magal/magal=girl

koppa—illu=house

kOraga--koriya=have given

koral—kolalu=flute

korru—korager=Koraga (tribe)

kOru—ker= to kill

kOru—(koru=give)

korke—(koriye=I gave)

koTakOri --              = grass hopper

kotte--paDke=urine

koyi--eluttagoodu=ribcage

kujerlu—jokulu=children

kure—kurve=basket(made from wild creepers)

Laaku—lakku= get up

Laayik—layik= good,nice (urdu/Arabic)

lammayi ---( Olamayi=inside)

ma:ti---(malt=to do)

maDar—maDe-ire=left over meals

madepukku—madapuni=forgot

marani—morani=day before yesterday

mare---(mare=rain; latex)

mare—mare/barsa=rain

mey----( mey-pini =to graze;)

mide—bokka= next

mo:rpi –(murepu =to churn )

naDa-- ?  =like (“anta”)

nakulu—nama=we

namrega—enkaleg= for us

naTT= to stand:  (naTTi=implanting saplings)

naTTine=I stand (≥ naTane/ na:Taka= standing show)

neeche—neecha?= darkness*

nekal-- ? = fear

Nikulu—nikulu=you people

Nimareg= nikaleg=to you people

Nimareg—nikaleg=for you

ninga—(nikku= to you.)

Nooner--panper=(they) tell

Nooni—panpe=(he) tells

Noo—paN= tell

nu=to say/na:ke=I have told

nunu(=swallow)/nunke(=I swallowed)--- (nungu =swallow.(Tu./Ka)

Oba—(oba= which way? (As addresses to domesticated cattle)

Oddu----ovvu=Which one?

Odeg----Odeg=to where/

Oker—(itter=(they) existed.)

Oku—(itta=existed)

Ol---(Olu= where?)

Olayi—(Olayi/ulayi=inside)

oli—(lepu/oleppu= to invite)

olippel--- (Leppel.=welcome)

ollu----(=to bark/ollagu=it barked. (Kan: ooliDu)

Ongir—(Ongir=to listen/show extra interest)

Oodaa—(uppaa= Shall it be?)

Oodu----(uppu= may exist.)

Ooji—(ijjer=did not exist; were absent.)

Ooker—(uller= (they) existed)

Ooku—(ullolu=it /she existed)

Oonaga—uppunaga=when (they) existed

OonDaa?—uppaa?= will it be?

OonDu—uppunDu= (it/she) shall exist

Oo—uppu=to be; to exist

OriyanTa---(oriyaDa= by one man)

OrtinTa—(ortiDa= by one woman)

Oul—Oulu=there

paaDu—povaD=let go.

paaTu—paaT= song.

paranTe-koranTu=cashew kernel

paravag—paratinD=crawled

pared—pali=elder sister

pariku—paratinD=flowed

paru—par(pini)=to drink

paTner-paTnadakulu=fisherfolk

peddug—(peddolu=(she) gave birth to)

pedmayi----.(pidayi mey=outside)

pi: ----( maypu=to pour)

pideyi—pidayi=outside

pijje—pejj(uni)=to pick up

pile—pile= sootaka

po: ---(po=to go)

podar---(pudar=name)

poDayi—(puDayi=basket (made of creepers)

Poolu----(moolu=here)

puDa:l*----(puDayi = to carry on arms*; basket).

puDDu—patt(uni)=to hold

pullapo—paondu po=hold and go

ranD—unDu=(it/she) exists

ranner--uller=(they) exist.

ranni--ulle= (he) exists

su: ---(soopini/toopini= to see ).

ta—koru=give

tale--koDi=endpiece

tar =to give(I, II person)

tarjer--kortujer=has not given

taTal—taToNu=to grab and carry on waist(the child)

tekkiri—tekkavu(nu)=to turn off (fire, light)

teli—telipu(ni)= to laugh

terunji--teriyuji= cannot understand.

tippi----(teypu= to sweep.)

tirgala—tirgavu(nu)=to rotate

tojir—tojavu(ni)=to show

toji—toju(ni)=to appear

tOnji—tojuji= does not show

tOrpu—(torpu=to kick)

torpu=to kick; torpu(Tu).

ubir—(ubbinir=spit; saliva)

uppud—(uppu=may be)

ur= to spit (ubbivuni)

urmal—barchuni= combing (hair)

urmu—(barchu=to comb)

Utek—(undek=for this; for her.)

utenTa—(by this /by her)

yaan----(yaan= I)

Yeni----(Yepa= when?)

Yer----(Yer=Who?)

Yereg---(Yereg=To whom?)

Other neighbors: Tribes & people

The words used by the Koraga   that refer to other tribes and community of people coexisting in the region have some interesting points for noting.

kanchaldayi –(kiristan)= Christian people.

Karamedakulu—(Mundala) =Mundala tribe

Kare  = Christian man

karEdi= Christian woman

nāker—(“naager”)=billawa people

nākudi—(“naagedi)= billawa woman

nooltakulu —(nooludakulu)= (those with sacred thread) ie Upper caste; Brahmins etc

Okkale /  okkati =okkelakulu man/female.

paTner/paTnadakulu =fisherfolk. (paTna=fisher colony)

tapaler —(sapaler?)=  Sapalya people.

For example, the Mundala people are referred to as Karame-dakulu ie those of Karma: Apparently the concept of Karma and Dharma were introduced by Munda/Mundala tribes. There are also connected stories of Karma and Dhrama in Bastar region which are well known belts of Munda people.

Another interesting point is Billava members are referred to as Nāger ie Nāga people. This probably provides information with respect to immigration of Naga tribes into Tulunadu and their eventual assimilation with the Billavas.

Parts of (Human /Animal) Body

Specifc words for defining various parts of the human/animal body were also existing in Tulu language, which are being forgotten because of disuse or the influence of other languages like Kannada or Englishor Hindi.

Check some of the following Koraga words for specific parts of the body.

abaD= hoof

chanku= heart

kaipe =liver

kannu kotle= kidney

kolampu-  (korampu/morampu.  (Tu. )    = knee bone)

koyi=   ribs

paTTu—udal =termite (varale)

pootoTTe--= lungs

tor—(Charma  = skin)

valayi =    pancreas

INFERENCES FROM THE KORAGA WORDS

Koraga to Tulu or Vice Versa

Deciding whether Koraga language borrowed words from Tulu or the vice versa is a bit tricky as it has confused the inferences and decisions of some of our linguists and analysts. When two or more languages exist in a region we can expect healthy two way exchange of words. Due to temporal changes in domination of the communities, eventually the Tulu has been a dominant language in the the past history of Karavali/Tulunadu.

Period words

It may not be proper to classify a specific word as either exclusive Koraga or exclusive Tulu word. The words have been repeatedly borrowed and utilized as   communicable entities and it would be difficult to trace their origin in a situation where some of the languages that evidently existed in the past have become extinct during the course of the history. That’s why it would be more appropriate if we classify languages as products of a specific period rather than exclusive property of a specific language.  

Koraga period words in Tulu

If we look beyond the obscure curtain of assimilation and homogenization of cultures in the Karvali coast, the bari pattern existing in Koraga community, suggests that the Koraga culture may be aboriginal and primitive in nature being earlier in time span than the essential Tulu language and culture. It is interesting to note that Tulu language has preserved some antique period words of compound nature probably derived from Koraga language. One such classic example is the commonplace compound Tulu word: mariyāla.

Mariyāla

Budhananda Shivalli (1980, 2004) has also discussed the interesting Tulu word mariyāla in the context of discussion of Tulu philology and grammar. But let me introduce another interesting facet of this word.

The commonplace Tulu word “mariyāla “(mare+yāla; =rainy season) is of Koraga language origin. The word mare for rain still exists in Koraga language. It either could be a Koraga exclusive word or a period word borrowed or adapted from any of the contemporaneous language of the period. The base word “mare” (=rain)   still exists in Koraga, whereas the Tulu has forgotten that word and the meaning because of disuse. Instead the Tulu language has adopted and perpetuated the word “barsa” (=rain) of Prakrit origin as a commonplace word for rain,  even though “mariyāla” still finds place in daily Tulu. Note that the old word “mare” still exists in Tulu as a substitute for the latex liquid oozing from plants, but not for rain!

Histrorical context

At this point, we can consider certain aspects of historical context with regard to words like, mariyāla as an example.  

The Prakrit language was the regal /administrative language in Karnataka region (including the coastal tract) approximately between the period ca. 400 BC to ca 400 CE (as we can gather from the known King Ashokas rock records and various period literary reseraches). Thus the Tulu language appear to have adopted the “barsa” of Prakrit origin   in place of preexisting “mare” during this Prakrit domination period in the West Coast.  Note that our neighbouring Kannada adapted “maLe”(=rain) as a regional version of the same antique word “mare”.

In any case, the age of Koraga period words in Tulu language shall be taken back beyond (ie older than) say ca. 400 BC.

It may be further noted that while Tulu language adopted the Prakrit version of barsa as its own, the Koraga retained its “mare” and has not preferred   the Prakrit word!

However, it also should be recorded that the Koraga has not remained totally closed to temporal changes. It has also absorbed exotic Arab/Urdu words like “lāyak” (= nice or appropriate) like the ambient Tulu language.

References

Budhananda K. Shivalli (1980, 2004) .Tulu Patero: A   philology and grammar of Tulu Language. Mangalore,  (first printing: 2004),   .317. p. ( in Tulu language).  

Shankar Bhat, DN. (1971). The Koraga Language. Linguistic  Survey of India.  Deccan College, Poona, 130 p

Pangala Babu Koraga (2016). Korrena base polabu: Koragara bhashe parichaya. Mangaluru,    52.p

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