The Hindu's Text & Context examined the endangered status of the Kurumba language spoken by the Kurumba Adivasi community in Attappady, Palakkad district, Kerala, numbering 2,719 as of 2024. Because Kurumba is an oral language without a script and the Census groups languages with fewer than 10,000 speakers under 'Others', urgent documentation is vital to preserve its cultural heritage.
Key Facts
The Kurumbas of Kerala: reside in the hilly forest regions of Attappady in Palakkad district, with a population of 2,719 as of 2024.
Kurumba is a Dravidian: oral language without a native script.
Because the Census of: India clubs languages with fewer than 10,000 speakers under 'Others', Kurumba lacks official statistical visibility.
GK Context
Kurumbas are classified as: a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in both Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris).
Static GK
SPPEL (Scheme for Protection: and Preservation of Endangered Languages): Implemented by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru since 2013.
Mains Analytical Framework
Linguistic Diversity & Tribal Identity: Oral documentation, mother-tongue primary education under NEP 2020, and revising the 10,000-speaker Census threshold.
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Mains Questions (1)
110 Marks150 Words
Why are unscripted tribal languages like Kurumba vulnerable to extinction? Suggest policy measures for their preservation.
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