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“Tamil language is connected with Gods. When it is connected with Gods, it is a Godly language and such a Godly language has to be used while performing Kudamuzhuku,” held Madras High Court recently.

Citing one Tamil verse, Justice N.Kirubakaran led division bench said that the importance of worshiping of Gods in Tamil is insisted byTamil poet-saints who played a key role in propagating the Bhakti Movement in Southern India during the 5th-10th Centuries.

Court was hearing a petition filed by D.Ponnusamy, Managing Trustee of Hindu Vedha Marumalarchi Iyakkam, seeking directions for conducting Kudamuzhukku/Nanneerattu function of Arulmigu Pasupatheshwara Swamy Tirukovil, Karur in Tamil.

Rejecting the general conception that only Sanskrit should be used before the Gods, Court said "if God could not understand Tamil, how was it possible for die hard devotees who were committed to worshiping of Lord Shiva, Lord Thirumal, Lord Muruga etc., to have composed so many hymns in praise of them."

Court took example of The 12 nayanmars who are ardent devotees of Lord Shiva and are responsible for construction of many Temples and said that they used Tamil language to praise and please God Thirumal.

Highlihgting that the procedures developed by Saint Ramanujar is being followed in all Vaishnavite Temples throughout South India, Court concluded that Tamil has been given prominence in vaishnavism.

Court also took example of Bhagwad Geeta and said that Lord Krishna stated that he manifests himself in the month of Margazhi. “Thus, God Thirumal would like to hear “Tamil Thirupavai” during the month of Margazhi which he is fond of,” Court added.

Stating that it is believed that Tamil language was created by Gods, court said, “it is believed that Tamil language is born out of pellet drum which fell from Lord Shiva while he was dancing.”

Stressing upon the ancientness of the language, Court said “Tamil is not only one of the earliest ancient languages of the world but also a Language of GODS.

Pointing towards the the scientific evidence available at Porundhal, Kodumanal, Sivakalai, Keeladi and Azhagankulam, Court said that Tamil is scientifically proved to be the oldest language in India.

Court observed that the carbondating of Pot sherds inscribed with Tamil Bhrami letters prove that Tamil language has been in existence even before 409 BC and it was a developed language used as a language of communication at that point of time itself.

Court even cited ASI’s statement as submitted before the court that Tamil inscriptions constitute the majority of the Indian inscriptions available pan India.

Court also compared the availability of scientific evidence regarding the ancientness of Sanskrit and Tamil saying that though it is stated that it is in existence for more than 3000 years, it is only hypothetical as proof is not available.

“As far as the scientific evidence available to the Sanskrit language is concerned, the age is first Century BC, however, Tamil has got scientific evidence to prove its antiquity,” Court said.

Therefore, court held that it cannot be said that only one language alone is God's language and other languages are not.

Court held that though the petitioner seeks usage of Tamil for only one temple, but all the temples throughout the country should be consecrated by reciting Tamil Thirumurai and other hymns.

Court said, “If Tamil hymns cannot be used in the Temples located in Tamil Nadu, nowhere else it can be used.”

Also, wondering over the degrading practice of reciting Tamil in Tamil Nadu, court observed that a direction is necessary to recite Tamil hymns/verses and Thirumurais during Kudamuzhuku primarily, alongwith Sanskrit hymns/vedas during Kudamuzhuku.

Therefore, Court directed the State Government to constitute a committee comprising of Tamil scholars, devotees and those who are believers of God to identify and consolidate the important and ancient Tamil hymns.

Court further directed that committee thus formed to file a report to the Government after consulting with experts and all other stake holders connected with the Temples and.

Importantly, Court disposed of the petition directing that State Government shall take a decision regarding the date from which Kudamuzhuku would be conducted in Tamil or equal importance is given along with Sanskrit.

Case Title: D.Ponnusamy v. The Commissioner, HR&CE and Ors.