SANGAM CLASSICS IN FRENCH : PONDICHERRY GNANOU DIAGOU..... DESERVES GLOBAL ATTENTION

Great litterateur Gnanou Diagou

 Great litterateur Gnanou Diagou

Great men and great deeds may get lost in the sands of history. But a grateful society leaves monuments for successive generations to remember  them with gratitude.

Behind every monument there is a history. A statue at the Pondicherry Government Hospital reminds us of the donor who gifted the land for its construction. The  clock tower of grand Bazaar also rekindles memories of its donor, the grandfather of an illustrious, son of the soil, Le Bottennier Gnanou Diagou.

 The 127^th birth anniversary of Le Boutonnière Gnanou Diagou, a man of letters and philanthropist falls on August 15. Not just the monuments but Gnanou Diagou’s contribution to Tamil Literature has been forgotten by the literary world and local population. His French translations of Kamba Ramayanam, Araneri Saaram, Assara Kovai, Nanmani Kadigai, Naladiar and the Thirukural are everlasting contributions that must be lauded by a grateful society. Sir CP Ramaswamy Iyer, in the foreword written to the French Translation of the Thirukural lauds thus, ‘‘Mr Gnanou Diagou’s rendering of Thiruvalluvar’s Kural into French is important and significant to international cultural collaboration.’

Gnanou Diagou, born on August 15, 1877, was an eminent lawyer and served as the president of Bar association. For nearly three decades he taught students of the Ecole de Droit Pondicherry as Professor of Law and wrote several Books on Hindu and Mohammedan law. He was also a popular political leader of Pondicherry from 1908 to 1925. He founded The Historical Society and left his imprint as its Vice President from 1911 till his son Cojande Dairianathan succeeded him in 1948.

 The conferment of honours initiated by Napolean Bonaparte in 1802 has the following titles of honour similar to our padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Padmasri. Grand Officier da la Legion d’ honneur is the first in rank. The second one is Chevalier de la legion d’ honneur. This was conferred on meritorious people for social service and the French government in recognition of his services had honoured him by conferring the second medal of honour, The Legion of Honour, on January 15, 1920. He also won awards like Officier d’ Academie and Chevalier du merite agricole. A member of the Counseil General, the the French version of the Legislative assembly with limited powers, he served the public. 

Gnanou Diagou was the descendent of one of the oldest and distinguished ‘‘Dubash’’ families of Pondicherry. Lazario De Motha Tanappa Modeliar, the illustrious ancestor of Gnanou Diagou had collaborated with Francois Martin in 1673 in the very foundation of the French settlement in Pondicherry. His successors Moutiappa Modeliar and his son Pedro canagaraya Modeliar were no less distinguished. Pedro Canagaraya  Modeliar was the recipient of the gold medal from Louis XV, King of France, for his good offices in securing Karaikal from the Maharaja of Tanjore in 1739. There is a street named after him that in current days called Canteen Street, though in name it exists in street boards. His son Diagou Modeliar, the grandfather of Gnanou Diagou, erected the clock tower in the Grand Bazaar apart from many choultries to feed the poor. The Street parallel to Nehru Street is named after Diagou Modeliar.

 Hailing from such an illustrious family, Gnanou Diagou scaled greater heights in public esteem through his literary works . He wanted to preserve the history of Pondicherry and was instrumental in having the manuscript of Ananda Ranga Pillai’s diaries copied from the original for publication purposes. He analyzed the decisions of the Superior Council from 1735 to 1820, the work of almost a century, and published them in eight volumes. He has written an authoritative book on General de lally, the  unlucky successor of Dupleix in whose period the entire white town including the Palace of Dupleix was destroyed.

 History is not a mere record of the events of the past. It has a meaning to be learnt. The acts of philanthropy are lauded to inculcate in the present generation such noble qualities. The intercultural exchange by taking the essence of Tamil classical literature to French, as done by Gnanou Diagou, is an incomplete mission for every generation of writers.

Courtesy: The New Indian Express-week end-14.08.2004

THE TAMIL FRENCH LITERARY CONNECTIONS

 Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukural is Tamils pride and everybody’s guide in life. Secularism, essence of our constitutional principles springs from each and every couplet of this great treatise of wisdom written 2000 years ago. And Sir C.P.Ramasamy Iyer places a befitting tribute to its grandeur on record. In his preface to the French Translation of Thirukural Sir C.P.Ramasamy Iyer says “ It has been rightly remarked that the Kural addresses itself to all classes and communities, and indeed to the whole human race and charges itself with the promulgation of virtue and of right conduct in the guise of familiar and friendly advice. In a series of pithy maxims, it lays down rules of universal acceptability dealing with most of our domestic and social problems and situations. In the well known words of the philosopher, Spinoza, it is written sub specie eternitate though characterized by tenderness and comprehensive human sympathy, human life and love in all their forms as well as the regular of existence in the social and economic fields are alike dealt with on the basis of practical spirituality”.

 Thirukural, the secular book on morals had been translated in many languages and is next to that of Bible in the number of such translations. The French version of Thirukural rendered by a great littérateur Mr.Gnanou Diagou had fascinated many scholars. It is a matter of pride to all Pondicherrians that Mr.Gnanou Diagou is one of the illustrious sons of this soil having earnt a name and fame in the 19^th century.Thirukural had been translated into the following languages. 1) Burmese Mr. Myo Thant, Thirukkural 2) Chinese Mr.Chi Eng Hsi, Thirukkural (1967) 3). Czech Mr. Kamil V Zvelebil, Thirukural (1952-1954 4) Dutch Mr. D.Kat, Thirukural (Netherlands, 1964) 5) Fiji, Mr.S.L Berwick, Na. Thirukkurala, 1964) 6) Finnish Mr. Aalto, Pentit, Kural - The Ancient Tamil Classic (1972) 7) German Albrecht, Fenz and K. Lalithambal: Thirukural von Thiruvalluvar aus dem Tamil, Madurai (1977), Mr.A.F Cammera, Thirukural Leipzig (1803) Mr Karl. Graul, Der Kural des Thiruvalluvar, (London 1854), Mr. Karl Graul, Der Tamu lische gnomes dichtar Thiruvalluvar, (Leipzig, 1865) Mr.Frederick Rickert Thirukural, selections, (Berlin, 1847) Mr. William and Norgate, Der Kural des Thiruvalluvar, (2nd ed, London, 1866) 8) French Ariel, M, Kural de Thiruvalluvar (traduits du tamoul), Paris, 1848, Barrigue de, Fontaineu, G, Le livre de l'amour de Thiruvalluva, Paris, 1889, Danielou, Alain, Thiruvallouvar Kural, Pondicherry, 1942, Jacolliot, Louis, Kural de Thiruvalluvar, (selections) Paris, 1767 Lamairesse, M, thirukural in French, Pondicherry, 1867) 9) Latin Graul, Charles, Kural of Thiruvalluvar, Tranquebar, 1866 Veeramamunivar, Thirukural (Books I and II), London, 1930 10) Malay Ismail, Hussein: Thirukural sastera kalasik Tamil yang, Kuala Lumpur, 1967,Ramily Bin Thakir Thirukural (in verses), Kuala Lumpur, 1964 11) Polish  Umadevi, Wandy Dynowskiev, Thiruvalluvar Kural, Madras, 1958 12) Russian  J.J Glazov and Krishnamurthi, A, Thirukural, a book on virtue, politics and love, Moscow, 1963 Glazov,  Thirukural in couplets with illustrations, Moscow, 1974 13)Swedish Frykholm Ingya, Thirukural, Uddavalla, 1971. The list is incomplete. 

The complete list of languages in which Thirukural got translated is yet to be compiled. The irony is we live in an age of information technology where at our fingertips we should keep these facts. Many authors will boast that next to Bible the only other book that was translated in many languages is Thirukural. Yet none bothers to compile the data of all such translations undertaken and books published in various languages. Let scholars and institutions start compiling such lists, uploading in the Net to enable all Tamil lovers easy access. Particularly Pondicherry with all its connections with France and with prestigious institutes like French Institute functioning here it will be appropriate that better coordination exists between Pondicherry University, Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture which hopes to become a deemed University soon and other Tamil scholars well versed in both the languages.

 A great bilingual scholar Desigam Pillai in his book Tamizhagamum Frenchukararum dutifully records the services of scholars who promoted cultural exchanges with zeal. The Jesuits priests who came here to propagate their religion learnt Tamil and for the purpose of their kinsmen to understand the nuances of Tamil they wrote many books in French. The services of Mr.Boucher (1655-1732), Mr.De la Lane (1669-1746), Mr.Bouze (1673-1735), Mr.Gargam (1690-1742), Mr.Calmette (1693-1740), Mr.Coeurdoux (1699-1774) in writing books to help French acquire proficiency in Tamil, is thus listed by Desigam Pillai. Mr.Desigam Pillai, a lawyer and Tamil scholar also mentions the names of those who learnt Tamil. Mr.Perrin (1754-1820), Mr.Maguy (1758-1822), Mr.Dubois (1770-1848), Mr.Dupuis (1806-1874), Mr.Mousset (1808-1888), Mr.Legouste (1880-1863), Mr.Lap (1834-1893). These lists may be tiring to normal readers. But it is a list to be remembered to understand the cultural fraternity that developed between the French and Tamil-speaking peoples.

Many scholars who collected the Tamil manuscripts and palm leaf texts during their stay in Pondicherry had given them to the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris. Even now in many homes including this writer there remains palm leaf texts ravaged by time. It is high time that academic institutions in the soil of Pondicherry and the Governments here that speak of heritage engage in a quest to collect all such texts, digitalize them and microfilm such rare collections hidden in Museums of both countries and private homes. Messrs.Mousset and Dupuis wrote the Dictionnaire Français Tamoul (French Tamil Dictionary) running into 1270 pages and a Dictionnaire Tamoul Français-2 Vols. (Tamil French Dictionary) running into 1660 pages. Mr.Jules Gordin who came from France to contest an election here for the house of elders and who became a French Senator took steps to start Tamil section in the Paris University. The dream came true in 1879. From 1890 in the Ecole des Langues Orientales Tamil classes became a reality. Mr. Vinson Julien wrote a grammar called Manuel De La Language Tamoule Grammaire, Texts, Vocabulaire ,and Mr.P.Lap, A Brege De La Grammaire Française Tomoule.Mr.M.J.Baulez wrote on colloquial Tamil Méthode De Tamoul Vulgaire

These are the pioneers and many authors who succeeded them had laid down firmly the path of inter cultural exchange and language fraternity. To a layman it appears that in the post independence era, these exchanges have mellowed down, and an impetus is needed to reactivate the vigour with which Tamil was welcomed with open arms by French. The entire French literature must be translated into Tamil and vice versa. The unfinished agenda must be undertaken with renewed interest. Before the old generation that had mastery over both languages bids adieu to earthly existence, these unfinished tasks must be taken up with urgency, while for younger generations the need to nourish this cultural legacy left between the most lovable languages on earth, becomes a quest with thirst for knowledge.   

THE TAMIL FRENCH LITERARY CONNECTIONS

THE TAMIL FRENCH LITERARY CONNECTIONS

 N.Nandhivarman

Thiruvalluvar's Thirukural is Tamils pride and everybody's guide in life. Secularism, essence of our constitutional principles springs from each and every couplet of this great treatise of wisdom written 2000 years ago. And Sir C.P.Ramasamy Iyer places a befitting tribute to its grandeur on record. In his preface to the French Translation of Thirukural Sir C.P.Ramasamy Iyer says " It has been rightly remarked that the Kural addresses itself to all classes and communities, and indeed to the whole human race and charges itself with the promulgation of virtue and of right conduct in the guise of familiar and friendly advice. In a series of pithy maxims, it lays down rules of universal acceptability dealing with most of our domestic and social problems and situations. In the well known words of the philosopher, Spinoza, it is written sub specie eternitate though characterized by tenderness and comprehensive human sympathy, human life and love in all their forms as well as the regular of existence in the social and economic fields are alike dealt with on the basis of practical spirituality".

Thirukural, the secular book on morals had been translated in many languages and is next to that of Bible in the number of such translations. The French version of Thirukural rendered by a great littérateur Mr.Gnanou Diagou had fascinated many scholars. It is a matter of pride to all Pondicherrians that Mr.Gnanou Diagou is one of the illustrious sons of this soil having earnt a name and fame in the 19th century.Thirukural had been translated into the following languages. 1) Burmese Mr. Myo Thant, Thirukkural 2) Chinese Mr.Chi Eng Hsi, Thirukkural (1967) 3). Czech Mr. Kamil V Zvelebil, Thirukural (1952-1954 4) Dutch Mr. D.Kat, Thirukural (Netherlands, 1964) 5) Fiji, Mr.S.L Berwick, Na. Thirukkurala, 1964) 6) Finnish Mr. Aalto, Pentit, Kural - The Ancient Tamil Classic (1972) 7) German Albrecht, Fenz and K. Lalithambal: Thirukural von Thiruvalluvar aus dem Tamil, Madurai (1977), Mr.A.F Cammera, Thirukural Leipzig (1803) Mr Karl. Graul, Der Kural des Thiruvalluvar, (London 1854), Mr. Karl Graul, Der Tamu lische gnomes dichtar Thiruvalluvar, (Leipzig, 1865) Mr.Frederick Rickert Thirukural, selections, (Berlin, 1847) Mr. William and Norgate, Der Kural des Thiruvalluvar, (2nd ed, London, 1866) 8) French Ariel, M, Kural de Thiruvalluvar (traduits du tamoul), Paris, 1848, Barrigue de, Fontaineu, G, Le livre de l'amour de Thiruvalluva, Paris, 1889, Danielou, Alain, Thiruvallouvar Kural, Pondicherry, 1942, Jacolliot, Louis, Kural de Thiruvalluvar, (selections) Paris, 1767 Lamairesse, M, thirukural in French, Pondicherry, 1867) 9) Latin Graul, Charles, Kural of Thiruvalluvar, Tranquebar, 1866 Veeramamunivar, Thirukural (Books I and II), London, 1930 10) Malay Ismail, Hussein: Thirukural sastera kalasik Tamil yang, Kuala Lumpur, 1967,Ramily Bin Thakir Thirukural (in verses), Kuala Lumpur, 1964 11) Polish Umadevi, Wandy Dynowskiev, Thiruvalluvar Kural, Madras, 1958 12) Russian J.J Glazov and Krishnamurthi, A, Thirukural, a book on virtue, politics and love, Moscow, 1963 Glazov, Thirukural in couplets with illustrations, Moscow, 1974 13)Swedish Frykholm Ingya, Thirukural, Uddavalla, 1971. The list is incomplete. The complete list of languages in which Thirukural got translated is yet to be compiled.

The irony is we live in an age of information technology where at our fingertips we should keep these facts. Many authors will boast that next to Bible the only other book that was translated in many languages is Thirukural. Yet none bothers to compile the data of all such translations undertaken and books published in various languages. Let scholars and institutions start compiling such lists, uploading in the Net to enable all Tamil lovers easy access.

Particularly Pondicherry with all its connections with France and with prestigious institutes like French Institute functioning here it will be appropriate that better coordination exists between Pondicherry University, Pondicherry Institute of Linguistics and Culture which hopes to become a deemed University soon and other Tamil scholars well versed in both the languages. A great bilingual scholar Desigam Pillai in his book Tamizhagamum Frenchukararum dutifully records the services of scholars who promoted cultural exchanges with zeal. The Jesuits priests who came here to propagate their religion learnt Tamil and for the purpose of their kinsmen to understand the nuances of Tamil they wrote many books in French. The services of Mr.Boucher (1655-1732), Mr.De la Lane (1669-1746), Mr.Bouze (1673-1735), Mr.Gargam (1690-1742), Mr.Calmette (1693-1740), Mr.Coeurdoux (1699-1774) in writing books to help French acquire proficiency in Tamil, is thus listed by Desigam Pillai. Mr.Desigam Pillai, a lawyer and Tamil scholar also mentions the names of those who learnt Tamil. Mr.Perrin (1754-1820), Mr.Maguy (1758-1822), Mr.Dubois (1770-1848), Mr.Dupuis (1806-1874), Mr.Mousset (1808-1888), Mr.Legouste (1880-1863), Mr.Lap (1834-1893). These lists may be tiring to normal readers. But it is a list to be remembered to understand the cultural fraternity that developed between the French and Tamil-speaking peoples.

Many scholars who collected the Tamil manuscripts and palm leaf texts during their stay in Pondicherry had given them to the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris. Even now in many homes including this writer there remains palm leaf texts ravaged by time. It is high time that academic institutions in the soil of Pondicherry and the Governments here that speak of heritage engage in a quest to collect all such texts, digitalize them and microfilm such rare collections hidden in Museums of both countries and private homes. Messrs.Mousset and Dupuis wrote the Dictionnaire Français Tamoul (French Tamil Dictionary) running into 1270 pages and a Dictionnaire Tamoul Français-2 Vols. (Tamil French Dictionary) running into 1660 pages. Mr.Jules Gordin who came from France to contest an election here for the house of elders and who became a French Senator took steps to start Tamil section in the Paris University. The dream came true in 1879. From 1890 in the Ecole des Langues Orientales Tamil classes became a reality. Mr. Vinson Julien wrote a grammar called Manuel De La Language Tamoule Grammaire, Texts, Vocabulaire ,and Mr.P.Lap, A Brege De La Grammaire Française Tomoule.Mr.M.J.Baulez wrote on colloquial Tamil Méthode De Tamoul Vulgaire

These are the pioneers and many authors who succeeded them had laid down firmly the path of inter cultural exchange and language fraternity. To a layman it appears that in the post independence era, these exchanges have mellowed down, and an impetus is needed to reactivate the vigour with which Tamil was welcomed with open arms by French. The entire French literature must be translated into Tamil and vice versa. The unfinished agenda must be undertaken with renewed interest. Before the old generation that had mastery over both languages bids adieu to earthly existence, these unfinished tasks must be taken up with urgency, while for younger generations the need to nourish this cultural legacy left between the most lovable languages on earth, becomes a quest with thirst for knowledge.

இந்தியாவில் முதல் செவாலியே ஞானுதியாகு :தினமணி எம்.ராமச்சந்திரன்