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Arabi-Malayalam

Arabi Malayalam, also referred to as Mappila Malayalam, is a unique combination of Dravidian languages with significant influences from Arabic and Persian. The language followed the grammar and syntax of Malayalam, with its vocabulary including words mainly from Arabic, Urdu, and Tamil. It was written in Arabic script, with the use of some new symbols to denote Malayalam consonants unfamiliar to Arabic alphabets.

The exact date of the language’s origin is unclear. The language was chiefly used for communication by the Mappila Muslim community, which resides along the Malabar Coast of Kerala State in southern India.

Background

The origins of Arabi Malayalam can be traced back to either the 7th century CE or the early 10th century CE. It incorporates words from Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu, Tamil, and Kannada, with Arabic vocabulary.

There are different opinions on the origin of Arabi Malayalam, which combines Arabic and Malayalam. According to one viewpoint, it arose when Arabic-speaking traders motivated by both business and Islamic propagation encountered linguistic barriers while attempting to influence the local population. To overcome this challenge, they had to develop a powerful communication medium. Thus, as a first step, learning the Arabic script became important for the Mappila community. Over time, Arabs also learned the native language and adapted it to the Arabic script for religious and expressive purposes. This development is believed to have led to further creative expression by the local population, resulting in a rich literary tradition of prose and poetry in the language.

Another perspective suggests that native Mappilas skilled in Arabic script, formed the language to incorporate Arabic and religious knowledge into their native dialect. This opinion is held by scholars who dismiss the idea that the Arabi-Malayalam language originated as a result of the conscious efforts of Arabs.

Further, the language even became the official language of Muslim communities in the Malabar region and was even used in postal and telegraphic communication

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Linguistic Structure

The Arabic script forms the foundation of Arabi Malayalam characters. To accommodate Malayalam sounds, the 28 letters of the Arabic script underwent modifications through the use of lines, dots, and symbols. This adaptation resulted in an unconventional alphabetical order specific to Arabic-Malayalam. Script reforms gradually increased the number of letters in the alphabet from 35 to the current 50. In accordance with the evolution of modern Malayalam, the Arabic-Malayalam script also evolved, allowing it to depict not only Malayalam and Arabic sounds but also those of numerous languages.

Contributions through Newspapers and Periodicals

The dissemination of Arabic-Malayalam literature has been significantly aided by newspapers and periodicals. Some of the newspapers and periodicals that have made significant contributions to Arabic-Malayalam literature are listed below:

The first Arabic-Malayalam newspaper, Tuhfatul Akhyar wa Hidayathul Ashrar (The Best Gift and the Sparks of Direction), was founded by Sanaullah Makti Thangal in 1890.

Paropakari was a renowned periodical initiated by the same editor in 1896 from Kochi.

Other major publications include Solahul Ikhwan (Brothers’ Welfare), under the direction of Master Syed Alikutty and AI-Islah (The Reformist), published by freedom fighter and Congress leader E. Moidu Maulavi. Some others are newspapers and periodicals like ‘AI Islam’ started by Vakkam Muhammad Abdul Qadir Maulavi, Al Irshad, under the editorship of K. M. Maulavi, a renowned Islamic scholar of Malabar, Nisaul Islam (Islamic Women) by Komukutty Maulavi, Al Bayan by Pangil Ahamed Kutty Musaliyar, Al Murshid, printed and published by Kerala Jamiyatul Ulama, the first organization of Kerala Islamic scholars, formed in 1922 and Al Itihad, published by E. K. Maulavi.

Publishing Houses

In either 1867 or 1868, the first Arabic-Malayalam publishing house was established in Thalassery, located in Kannur District of the present-day Kerala state. Prior to this, the Basel Mission had operated a publishing house in Thalassery. T. Kunhahammed Haji, who received training at the Basel Mission Press in 1864, established the Thalassery Arabic-Malayalam Publishing House. Graduates of Haji’s training program went on to establish Arabic-Malayalam publishing houses throughout Kerala. The early publications from these houses often lacked author names and publication years, but they consistently listed the publishing house owners’ names and places of publication. Many of these houses obtained copyrights for original works and sold them for profit.

Major Contributions

Arabi Malayalam is primarily used by Mappila Muslims for religious education. The Arabi Malayalam medium is the primary mode of instruction for matters concerning religious beliefs and codes of conduct.

The Arabic Malayalam language also has rich literature that is primarily divided into two main genres: poetry and prose, with poetry taking precedence. This literature is not limited to this field. Among its poetic subtypes are Maalappattu, Padappaattu, Kisappaattu, Kalyaanappaattu, Mad’hupaattu, Thadiurudippaattu, and Virutangal Kessupaattu. Maalappattu chants describe the important occasions that enriched the lives of revered people and devoted worshipers in the past. One of the most notable works in this genre is Muhiyyuddin Maala, considered the oldest work in Arabic-Malayalam literature.

Arabi Malayalam prose also includes translations and interpretations of the Qur’an, teachings of the Prophet, Islamic philosophy, jurisprudence, ritualistic practices, history, mysticism, political science, medical science, botany, and various scientific disciplines. It includes stories, narratives, critiques, novels, translations of the Bible, dictionaries, newspapers, magazines, and more.

References