DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYALAM

ByG.N. Shravan

VII-G

Origin of the Language

Among the four cultivated languages of the Dravidian family, Malayalam comes last in the development of grammar and literature.

It is established that inscriptions of Malayalam are traced out only from Ninth century onwards.

Gradual Developments

In the 9th century, the Cheras established their kingdom in Mahodayapuram which is located in the present day state of Kerala.

Malayalam was given a huge boost when the Cheras decided to make it their official language.

This was the first time that a regional language was used in official documents.

It is well known that the language of the West Coast called Kodum tamil grew and developed into Malayalam.

Tamil and Malayalam are two separate languages originated from a Proto form..

There are references about this language in Ramayanam, Bharatam, Harivamsam, etc…

Sanskrit Malayalam

While using this language Chera rulers employed Sanskritic traditions. This language was greatly influenced by Sanskrit.

Another text named Lilatilakam which deals with grammer and poetics also refers to both Malayalam and Sanskrit and calls them ‘Diamonds and corals’.

There are so many sources like inscriptions, place names, literary style and literary works, folk songs, riddles, proverbs, coins, etc. helped to develop the history of the language.

This helps us to understand how languages change and evolve over hundreds of years.