Influence of the West on the Language
and Culture of South Kanara
MINOR RESEARCH
PROJECT SUBMITTED
TO
ST ALOYSIUS COLLEGE
(AUTONOMOUS), MANGALORE
BY
ANUSH PRASAD D’ CUNHA
REGISTER NUMBER: 159606
II MA ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES
AND RESEARCH IN ENGLISH
ST ALOYSIUS COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS),
MANGALORE
MARCH 2017
Abstract
Dakshina
Kannada situated in the coastal belt of Karnataka is a thin strip of land stretching
down to the Arabian Sea. Historically, it was known as South Kanara (presently
called as Dakshina Kannada). It abounds in vegetation such as evergreen and semi-evergreen
forests, mangroves, beaches, vegetation, planted groves of trees, horticultural
gardens, agricultural fields, grasslands, and household gardens. The population
in the district is a heterogeneous mix of different religions, castes and
classes. Socio- economic and ecological diversity adds to its ‘cultural
heterogeneity’ quotient as compared with the rest of Karnataka. Above all, it
has rich cultural tradition and puranic legends of historical importance.
Change
is integral part of our existence. We believe that change is necessary in order
to progress in life. South Kanara, a land of rich heritage faces this change as
a problem of identity of its own. As it encounters the change in its diverse
language and culture, through the western education, many native people feel
that we need to get back to our roots and preserve it for the future
generation. The changes in the basic
life-style of the people of South Kanara poses a threat to the cultural
heritage. The native people who have embraced the western education seems to
have given the back seat to the native language and culture. Therefore my research focuses on the
influence of the West on the language and culture of South Kanara, looking
deeply into the factors that are affecting the natives very much today. As part
of this research, the researcher has followed the methodology of proposing
questionnaire to the Konkani and Kannada writers of South Kanara and gathered
many practical changes in the language and culture of their land and appealed
for preservation and promotion of the local culture and traditions.
Introduction
Canara
or Karnad means the Black Country. It is formed from the two Canarese words
Kare (black) and Nadu (country). The black soil country, the true Karnatak is
the plain that slopes east from the Sahyadiris. The name was probably given to
the coast by travellers who found that the language was the same as in the
Karnatak and that the coast was under the rulers of the black soil plains. The
area is also alluded to by the indigenous people as Tulunadu. Tuluva denotes
the people or area speaking Tulu. Theories put forward to its origin are traced
to the legendary ruler called Rama Boja, who is supposed to have made many
gifts like Tulu-dana, Tulu Purusha. So the dynasty was called Tolav and the
region called Tulu or Tuluva. But according to B.A. Saletore, the word Tuluva
can be traced to the Kannada verbal root Tulu meaning to attack denoting the
war like nature of the people. M. Govinda Pai states that Tulai means to ply or
to row in water showing a sea faring people while Sediyapu Krishna Bhat opines
that the word Tulu denotes water and therefore the name Tulunad means a region
which abounds in water, denoting the occupation i.e., of Fishermen. Tuluva also
means in Tulu, mild and meek.
Change,
as we all agree is inevitable part of human life. Each day undergoes number of
changes. South Kanara is a land of rich cultural heritage, history, folk
theatre, be it Yakshagana or Kola; everything declares the glory of everyday
life. I feel that if one observes this land of rich cultural heritage, it has
undergone a lot of changes, be it in language or religious practices. The
entire scenario of this land had been enjoying a special status over the ages.
At present, life has become more sophisticated with the system of education and
standard of living. Science and technology seem to have taken over our life-style.
On the one hand South Kanara has greatly contributed towards education, banking,
culture, so on and on the other hand the past rich glory seems to have been
shaken with lots of influences of the Western culture. Therefore my research
tries to focus on Influence of the West on the language and culture of South Kanara.
My
attempt in this research is mostly based on the literature point of view. As a
literature student I find that the West influences South Kanara through
numerous ways. There are many languages spoken in South Kanara, viz. Konkani,
Tulu, Kannada and Byari. These languages today are greatly influenced by the
English language through various ways. Culture on the other hand too is very
much influenced by the West. This attempt, I hope should lead everyone to
introspect and motivate all to rethink and relive the past glory. The research
looks back with pride and looks ahead with hope of preserving this rich heritage.
(For the entire Project work, please contact me through anushdcunhasj88@gmail.com)
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