Language and culture are never stationary. Language changes as the society changes. This change is due to the affinity of a society to take on new ideas and concepts. When new thoughts come in, changes automatically happen. Some societies are more conservative while some others are more flexible but changes occur in both at varying degrees. No society can remain without change for a long time. If it is totally isolated or cut off from other societies, the changes will be gradual and slow.
'Mappila Migrants in Andamans is a socio-linguistic study' conducted by me as Junior Research Fellow for ISDL in 1979 - 80. I consider it as a privilege to have been selected for this study. I was working as a Junior Research Fellow at the Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala when this offer came.
Socio-linguistic study was a new field in front of me. My project did not have a Senior Fellow for consultation and guidance. Confidence and optimism were my only assets. But above all the loving caring and the inspiring support of Dr. V.I. Subramoniam, my beloved Professor surrounded me from all sides like a strong fort which made each and every step of mine a bold one in the right direction.
DLA and ISDL were my original home. So no sense of alienation ever haunted me. All my professors with their masterly advices let me through. Dr. V.R. Prabodhachandran Nayar, Dr.P.Somasekharan Nair, Dr. G.K. Panikkar, Dr.E.V.N. Namboothiri, Dr. R.V.K. Thampuran, Dr. M. Rama, Dr. Bhakthavatsala Reddy and the Senior and Junior Research Fellows in the department and my colleagues provided the necessary support. Professor Mehtar and Professor Moosad who where FIP Research Fellows at the Department of Linguistics also blessed me with very valuable support. Mr. K.P.S. Pillai who provided me accommodation with him as his own brother at his family quarters in Port Blair deserves all thanks.
My preliminary survey in Malappuram district at the various locations and meeting family members of those who had been deported to Andamans had left some everlasting memories in my mind about the hospitality of the Mappilas of Malappuram, The experiences of my first journey to the unknown destination of Andamans in a ship in the company of strangers, lasting for seventy two hours, is as fresh in my mind as ever.
The stay in the island, the association with the informants, the journeys to various islands, meeting of some old friends, interaction with various types of personalities all opened a new vista of experiences before this new researcher. Farmers, officials, school students, college students, contractors, government officials in various offices, staff of cellular jail, college lecturers and professors, leaders of associations, political leaders all had a lot to share. My host had a busy time taking me all around to far and near locations.
The return to Calcutta through the Bay of Bengal and the trail along the Hoogly provided new experiences. The music and dance in the upper deck of the ship in the company of Indian Soldiers through out the night still reverberate in the ears of that young researcher.
There are hundreds to pay tribute to. There are hundreds to express hearts' inner most wishes. But this indebtedness itself is a deep gratitude. I am extremely grateful to Prof. G.K. Panikkar for the kindness and patience of reading my report and suggesting rearrangements and modifications.
My thanks are due to ISDL for publishing this report after a span of forty one years. I sincerely thank the Director, Dr. Naduvattom Gopalakrishnan and all others concerned for this good gesture.
'Mappila Migrants in Andamans A socio linguistic study' is the report of the work undertaken at Andaman Islands by N. Muraleedharan Nair who was a Junior Research Fellow at ISDL during 1979-1980. Before the researcher proceeded to the Andaman Islands for the actual field study, a preliminary survey of the linguistic and cultural features of the Mappilas in Malabar whose relatives were exiled to the Andaman Islands during and after the Mappila rebellion was undertaken. The visit to the islands and the actual field study followed.
The Fellow shown keen interest to meet the Mappilas stranded in various parts of the islands engaged in various occupations. They include small children, students, youths, adults and elderly people which constitute a cross section of the people interviewed. This reveals the seriousness of the work undertaken.
The exposure to the new culture in a new place away from the homeland has indeed brought about some socio-linguistic changes in the migrants as observed in the report. But they remained the same when it came to religious beliefs and practices.
The linguistic behaviour of the migrant Mappilas is an area of interest to note. Though forced to live in a multi ethnic society with other exiles from different parts of India and the neighbouring countries, it is interesting to note that the language and culture of the Mappilas did not undergo any considerable changes. At the same time the changes that took place in the language habit of the youth and students cannot be ignored.
I have great pleasure to note that this work would benefit the scholars engaged in socio-linguistics studies.
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