BADAGA LANGUAGE

(Proud of badaga and proud to speak badaga language)

The badaga language is a unique and pleasant language, spoken by badaga community. It is a distinct language within the ancient south dravidian language family. It has its own unique grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. The retroflex sounds of badaga language are unique. The badaga language preserved more of its archaic feature it also developed its own special characters.

Badaga language is a Badaga Social identity, Cultural identity, Spritual identity and it is used in everyday communication as well as in religious and cultural rituals.
Badaga language is not dialect of Kannada or Tamil language. Badaga language is a separate indigenous language and badagas are separate indigenous community.

There are around 4.5 lakhs badaga speakers in india / abroad and predominantly in Nilgiri, a hilly district located in the western region of that shares its border with coimbatore ( South), Erode ( East), kerala ( North) and karnataka (West).

UNESCO categorised Badaga language is one of the endangered language. It is in second of the fifth endanger level (i.e. There are only a few speakers left and children are, the most part, not learning the language).

So needed awareness programme to instil the importance of badaga language to younger generation of badaga community. Badaga language is a blessed language of Goddess Hethai and Lord Heriodaiyah. So badaga language will never die. But at the same time we should love and respect our mother badaga language and feel proud to speak both in the house and also outside where ever possible in order to save badaga language.

Community land holding particularly in nilgiri is considered as necessary ingredients for the survival of badaga language. Now biggest problem is badagas are forced to sell their native lands to outsiders because of many issues like Social, Economic, Higher education, Job opportunities, No Minimum Support Price for Tea leaves, problems in agriculture etc. Many of badaga families are moving to other metropolitan cities for better life.

In education and social system it is inevitable to read other language of Tamil and English, but at the same time it is a duty of badagas to preserve rich treasures of badaga language, culture and civilization.

Participation of Badagas families regularly in badaga habbas, badaga association programmes, community programmes, badaga functions .etc are always keep badaga language alive. Mass participation of Lord Heriodaiyah & Goddess Hethai festivals and mass celebration of badaga day always unit badagas in effective and efficient manner and also save badaga language and culture.

Badagas are living in many parts of the world. The communication of badaga language can be effectively improved through modern technology like internet, social media, TV channels, mobile communication, etc., by sharing and viewing badaga songs, badaga dance, badaga bajans, badaga drama, badaga movies, badaga education and cultural programmes etc. This will help badaga language to make alive in throughout the world forever.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in preserving the badaga language and various initiatives have been launched to document and promote the language and culture. The aim is to ensure that the badaga language, culture, food culture and civilisation are not lost and continue to be passed down from generation to generation.

The badaga language has its own pronunciation. The retroflex sounds of badaga are unique. This is the speciality of Badaga (Tribal) language.

Badagas speaks with higher sound than others. This is because of the badaga words contains retroflex sound (speech sound made with the end of the tongue curling towards and backwards and keep the mouth open).

Nornally badaga words are not ending with consonant letters. Because of this when badaga speaks sound waves goes out from mouth without any hindrance, so high sound voice comes out from as such. Eg. Badaga words: Rama, Boja, Badaga, Thothava, Kotha, Ennu, Gandu, Gudi , sovara, mangavara, pothavar, sikkavara etc

In other languages like tamil many words contains consonant letters in the end. Speak with end consonant words then either lips will close or tip of tongue will go up and touch the hard palate and prevent certain extent of the sound waves to go out freely. Because of this sound come out from mouth with low sound voice. E.g., Tamil words: Raman, Bojan, Badagar, Thodavar, kothar, Penn, Aann, kovil, Thingal, Sevvaai, Puthan etc.

A language is a Social identity, Cultural identity, Spiritual identity and community identity. So badagas always to use only badaga as their community identity and not as badagar.

Govt. of india India recognise badaga community as bandaga. It is very perfect badaga language word. Whereas state govt., by mistake recognise as badagar. It is not correct badaga word .It is a tamil word. This need to be addressed with state government for correction.

To be honest, the future of badaga language is bright and future of badagas are brighter.