'Kamal Haasan just spoke facts': Tamil Nadu leaders support film icon over Kannada language row

Chennai: Actor Kamal Haasan on Wednesday received support from political leaders in Tamil Nadu on his statement that Tamil was the mother to Kannada, saying the film icon merely stated the truth and that it is always “difficult to accept the truth.”

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan and Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) coordinator S Seeman said several scholars have accepted that Tamil was the mother to all Dravidian languages such as Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu.

Kamal Haasan had earlier this week said Tamil was the mother to Kannada while welcoming Sandalwood superstar Shiva Rajkumar as his “own brother” at an event to promote his latest flick Thug Life, directed by ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam.

Thirumavalavan said several linguists and experts have come out with findings that Tamil was the mother tongue for all Dravidian languages, and even Robert Caldwell, a British missionary and linguist, had endorsed this “fact.” He also authored a text on comparative grammar of the South Indian languages.

Meanwhile, speaking at a promotional event in Kerala, Kamal Hassan his comments came out of his love for languages and politicians, including him, should keep off debating language which should be left to historians.

“See, they are confusing the issue, I think. What I said was out of love and a lot historians who taught me language history, I didn’t mean anything,” he said and praised Tamil Nadu as a state that has made natives of other South Indian languages as its Chief Minister.

He was referring to M G Ramachandran, a Malayalai born in Sri Lanka, and J Jayalalithaa, a Kannadiga, making it to the top post in the state. “We should leave all these in depth issues to historians,” he added.

“There is nothing wrong in what Kamal Haasan said. He simply stated the fact, which has been endorsed by many experts in the past. It may be difficult for people who speak Kannada, Malayalam, and Telugu to accept that Tamil is the mother to their languages. It is always difficult to accept the truth,” Thirumavalavan said.

Seeman also derided protests by Kannada organisations against Kamal Haasan, saying people should first learn history before protesting against someone. “Kannada is the first language to allow the influence of Sanskrit, and that’s why it is difficult for people to accept the fact that Tamil is their mother. What can one say about them?” he asked.

Historians know that what Kamal Haasan says is true, and time will come when everyone accepts the fact. “People have to accept the truth today or tomorrow,” he added.