Dravidian Dictionary Creator Njattyela Sreedharan Passes Away at 87

Swift Summary:

• Njattyela Sreedharan,a self-taught linguist from Kerala,passed away on August 13,2025,in Kannur at the age of 87 due to age-related ailments.
• He compiled the multilingual dictionary Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam, linking Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu languages with over 1 lakh entries and detailed meanings and usage variations.
• The first edition of the landmark work was published with support from Kannur’s Senior Citizens Forum. A second edition was released by the Kerala Language Institute in May 2023.
• Despite challenges such as funding shortages and institutional hesitation, ₹4 lakh was raised through community efforts to print additional copies.
• His unconventional path began after dropping out of school; he worked various jobs including in a beedi factory before immersing himself in literacy programs and eventually learning Tamil from local communities.
• Inspired during his tenure as a blueprint worker in Public Works Department by professor T.P. Sukumaran’s suggestions for linguistic study, he expanded his vision into connecting major Dravidian languages.
• Mr. Sreedharan learned Kannada during field trips to karnataka while staying with colleagues Govinda Naik and C.Raghavan; similarly mastered Telugu through interactions with Nellore-based teachers Eashwaraprasad Rao and Seethamma Rao.
• His achievements include awards like the Dr. T.P Sukumaran Master award and Gundert award; he also served actively in literary organizations like Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

Njattyela Sreedharan’s dedicated efforts reflect an extraordinary commitment toward language studies that transcend formal academic structures-serving as both cultural preservation tool and bridge between four major South Indian linguistic communities. His journey exemplifies how grassroots perseverance can overcome systemic barriers such as lack of institutional support or resources for ambitious scholarly projects.

His multilingual dictionary serves not just as a reference resource but also highlights India’s rich linguistic diversity-a matter particularly relevant today amid discussions around regional languages’ vitality versus dominance of English or Hindi within official frameworks.

Moreover-continued availability outreach long-term translations fostering Indo introduction boosts historic heritage safeguarded via contemporary platforms!!

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