Rajasthani Grammar
Analysis of the Rajasthani Language
Dr Sitaram Lalas
Translation to English - Mahamandaleshwar Swami Gyaneshwar Puri
Original: https://www.rajsabadkosh.org/sabadkosh-rajasthani-bhasha.aspx
Language is the most crucial tool for the development of humans. It establishes a connection between individuals and society. Through language, a child learns to understand the feelings of others and, in turn, expresses their own emotions to others. Expressing emotions not only fulfils desires but also enhances the power of thinking in humans and makes them aware of their capabilities.
According to Tulsidas, in his verse "गिरा अरथ जल बीचि सम, कहिअत भिन्न-न-भिन्न,"(Rāmacaritamānasa~ Bālakāṇḍa, Doha 18 ) language and thoughts are two facets of the same reality. One can assess the intellectual development of an individual by their knowledge of language and the number of words they possess.
Human cultural and intellectual development has been facilitated through language. However, it is also true that as humans progress, the development of language also occurs. In this context, the development of both is interdependent.
The language of a human has been evolving continuously since its inception, flowing like a river with an uncontrolled pace. Just like the speed of a river's flow, the velocity of language is also unpredictable. The root cause of the diversity in languages is this unpredictable nature. It cannot be said that this diversity is very old. Efforts have been made repeatedly over time to regulate and refine this diversity.
Presenting a well-organized form of a language requires a strong foundation in grammar and lexicon. Without these, a language cannot be as respectable as it should be. It is regrettable that Rajasthani lacks these essentials.
Around seventy years ago, Pandit Ramkaran Aasopa of Jodhpur published a book titled 'मारवाड़ी भाषा रौ व्याकरण' (Marwadi Language and Grammar). In 1914, there were commendable efforts made by Taisseetori in this direction as well. However, due to changing circumstances, symbols, and forms, their alignment with the new Rajasthani language remained incomplete.
Dr Sitaram Lalas also published a book titled 'राजस्थानी व्याकरण' (Rajasthani Grammar). But all these efforts can be considered at an initial stage. More emphasis has been placed on creating dictionaries. In Rajasthani, you can find many dictionaries such as: डिंगळ नांममाळा, नागराज डिंगळ कोश, हमीर नांम माळा, अवधांन माळा, नांम माळा, मुरारीदांनजी का डिंगळ कोश, अनेकार्थी कोश, एकाक्षरी कोश, Dingal Namamala, Nagaraaj Dingal Kosha, Hameer Nama Mala, Avadhan Mala, Nama Mala, Murari Daanji's Dingal Kosha, Synonyms Dictionary, Single-letter Word and other dictionaries. Some of these dictionaries have been published by the Rajasthan Research Institute, Chaupasni, Jodhpur, under the name 'Ḍiṅgaḷa Koś' in the collection 'Paramparā'.
Their utility may not be considered on par with modern dictionaries, but their significance cannot be denied. Most of these dictionaries are organized according to rhyme and meter. It is possible that these dictionaries were presented in a lyrical and concise form with the aim of making it easier to pass on from generation to generation. Their usefulness for research in the context of the Rajasthani language and literature is unquestionable. They are essential tools for understanding the development of the Rajasthani language in a scientific manner.
Although doubts may arise about their utility in certain locations due to the deteriorated condition of manuscripts and errors made by copyists, many of these dictionaries are unquestionably reliable and valuable for linguistic and literary research. [1]
The authenticity of Heerdaan Ratanu's 'हमीर नांममाळा' (Heer Namamala) is not in doubt. This dictionary is the most prevalent and famous among all the ancient dictionaries in Rajasthani. Except for Kaviraja Muraridaan's Dingal Kosha and Udayram Barahath's 'अवधांन माळा' (Avadhan Namamala), almost all the dictionaries are quite small and incomplete. All these dictionaries have been constructed on the pattern of Sanskrit's 'Amarakosha'.
It is imperative to note that the modern style of construction, consonant sequence, and word sequence are not as beneficial as they could be due to the absence of modern construction techniques, vowel and word sequence, and in-depth semantic analysis. Because of this inconvenience, scholars have considered a phonetically and semantically organized sequence to be more suitable. In modern times, most dictionaries, regardless of their level or type, are created based on a sequence of characters and words.
In addition to important texts, they also include indexes such as subject index, word index, and sign index. This makes it extremely easy for readers to find references and descriptions of topics, words, and signs. However, in the construction of these character and word sequence-based dictionaries, the importance of ancient dictionaries is also noteworthy. Most fundamental lexicographers have considered these as their foundation and built new modern dictionaries in a new form and style based on them.
The attempt to create dictionaries based on this system in Rajasthani was almost nonexistent. Pandit Ramkaran Aasopa made a suitable effort in this direction by compiling approximately sixty thousand words in alphabetical order, but he could not complete his endeavor. The Shardul Rajasthan Research Institute, Bikaner, had also announced the construction of such a dictionary a few years ago. In reality, the task of dictionary construction is not a matter of individual capacity. Collective effort is essential in this regard. It is possible that there may be some errors in the first published dictionary, but it will undoubtedly pave the way for future dictionary construction.
From a geographical perspective, Rajasthani holds a particular significance in its extensive region. Rajasthani is spoken across the vast expanse of Rajasthan, including Malwa. Malwa is a historical region in central India. It encompasses parts of the northern and central states of Madhya Pradesh and some portions of the southwestern state of Rajasthan. Malwa has a rich cultural and historical heritage and is known for its contributions to art, music, and literature. The region is also known for its distinctive Malvi dialect, which is a part of the larger Rajasthani language family.
In the year 1931, the number of speakers of Rajasthani was counted at one crore and forty lakhs [2], which does not include speakers of the Bhili language. If they are also included, the count of Rajasthani speakers would reach up to one crore and sixty lakhs.
The Bhili language, also known as Bhilboli, Bhilla, or Bhil, is a group of Indo-Aryan languages spoken by the Bhil people in parts of India. The Bhil people are one of the largest tribal groups in India, and they primarily inhabit the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and some regions of western India.
Bhili is not a single unified language but rather a group of closely related languages and dialects. These languages belong to the Indo-Aryan language family and have their own distinct characteristics. Bhili languages are primarily spoken in rural areas, and they have a significant oral tradition. While there have been efforts to document and standardize some Bhili dialects, they are generally not as widely known or documented as some of the major languages in India.
Based on the literature from the 17th century and earlier, Rajasthani can be considered an extremely rich language. Even today, hundreds of texts in this language, albeit in a deteriorated condition, are in the possession of those who cannot assess their value.
Like other regional languages in India, Rajasthani also has its unique characteristics. Grierson classified Rajasthani dialects in the following manner (Linguistic Survey of India Vol. IX Part II, Page 2-3) –
1. Western Rajasthani: This category includes मारवाड़ी, थली, बीकानेरी, बागड़ी, शेखावाटी, मेवाड़ी, खैराड़ी, गोडवाड़ी और देवड़ावाटी Marwari, Thali, Bikaneri, Bagri, Shekhawati, Mewari, Khairadi, Godwadi, and Devanagari dialects.
2. North-Eastern Rajasthani: This category includes अहीरवाटी और मेवाती Ahirwati and Mevati dialects.
3. Dhundhiri: Also known as Central-Eastern Rajasthani, it includes तोंरावाटी, जयपुरी, कठैड़ी, राजावाटी, अजमेरी, किशनगढ़ी, शाहपुरी एवं हाडौती Tonravati, Jaipuri, Kathairi, Rajawati, Ajmeri, Kishangarhi, Shahpuri, and Hadoti dialects.
4. Malvi or South-Eastern Rajasthani: This category includes रांगड़ी और सोडवाडी Rangari and Sodawadi dialects.
5. Southern Rajasthani: This includes the निमाड़ी Nimadi dialect.
These classifications represent the diverse linguistic landscape of Rajasthani, with each category encompassing multiple distinct dialects spoken in different regions of Rajasthan.
If Bhili is also considered as part of Rajasthani, then their number would become six.
References:
[1] As in the ‘ḍiṅgaḷa koś’ published ‘Hamīra-nāma-māḷā’ on page 83, where the words ‘श्रवरै’ (śravaraī) and ‘आइतेयक’ (āiteyaka) are given as synonyms for ‘द्रिव्य’ (drivya) wealth, this is the result of the scribes’ mistakes. In their correct form, they would be ‘स्वः’ (svaḥ) (see Sanskrit dictionary), and ‘रै’ (rai) ~ would be separate, and instead of ‘आइतेयक’ (āiteyaka), it would be ‘स्वापतेय’ (svāpatheya) (cf. Amarkośa ~ 2/90). Similar other mistakes can be observed.
[2]Rājasthānī bhāṣā~ Sunītikumāra Chāṭurjyā, page 5