Kunubis: Marati Nayaka (Tribes of Karnataka- 4)

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That the foundations of Indian culture were deeply embedded in Dravidian culture is now an incontrovertible fact. Dravidian culture is one of the most ancient cultures of the world. Those cultures, slightly contemporaneous to one another, slowly started fading out. However, the primordial Dravidian culture continues to thrive without losing its quintessence despite the apparent changes in systems of dress and address.

Dravidian University was established in 1997 to mirror the real and rich picture of Dravidian culture not only in its linguistic, literary, cultural and philosophical facets but in science and technological angles also.

The spirit of integration is the guiding force behind the creation of the University. The linguistic and cultural integration, not at the regional but at the national level is the cherished objective of the University.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh started Dravidian University, with the co-operation of the sister States, to research and reflect on the inherent oneness of the cultures of Dravidian family the four states whose languages number up to 27. It’s endeavour is to promote unity and amity in the family of several languages. The main objectives of Dravidian University are to augment the common weal and social well being of the communities of marginal languages and to build bridges among the Southern States. While working on each language separately in varied areas, it aims at a synthesis and a discovery of the common heritage through Comparative Studies.

Dravidian University is encouraging in-depth and micro-studies on tribes of South India as a part of fulfilling its great vision to understand and integrate the people of Sister languages though identified differently, but belonging to the same cultural roots.

Dravidian family of languages, now established to be around 27, is one of the oldest civilisations of the world. These 27 languages have different subgroups and sects. Only four of them are well developed with scripts and historical legacies. The rest of the languages do not have a written tradition, though they have a rich oral tradition. There are several tribes economically and socially very weak. There is a great responsibility for the entire nation to equip with necessary educational tools at all levels and modern perspectives of life affecting their socio-economic advancement on par with the other citizens of the nation at the same time duly preserving their cultural identity, in other words, our own cultural roots. The richness of their knowledge and a wealth of wisdom, which stands above all scripts and tongues, forming part of the glittering glory of the nation, have to be revitalised.

As a part of encouraging research in and out side the country in Dravidian studies with an indigenous thrust Dravidian University has launched a project to publish a series of monograph on Tribes. In its first phase, it is planned to publish monographs of Tribes of Karnataka and several scholars who are working on different tribes are invited to submit the monographs in a specified format.

Dr. M. N. Venkatesha is entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating this as Editor of the series. Several scholars responded to our call and invitation. Dravidian University has a few more programs such as publishing monographs on all the major and minor tribes of Dravidian family of languages and the four Dravidian States highlighting their socio-cultural aspects. Establishing Museum, developing archives to preserve audio-visual documented materials at Desi Siri - Folk Museum, preparing grammar and comprehensive descriptive lexicons and few other projects on tribal studies are in ~ progress. Many of these projects are going to be materialise with the able and systematic research projects taken up by the Faculty at Department of Folklore and Tribal Studies, Desi Siri- Folk Museum and Archival centre and other related departments.

Dr. J.K. Ramesh. the author has exhibited his vast experience of field research and prepared this monograph on Kunubis: the Marati nayakas. a non-Dravidian tribe living in Dravidian Land. This has given a scope for further study on cultural ethnicity, acculturisation and adaptations of regional cultural traits by a tribe living in an alien land. 1 thank the author for his effort.