This volume examines the relationship between language and power across cultural boundaries. It evaluates the vital role of translation in redefining culture and ethnic identity. During the first phase of colonialism, mid-18th to late-19th century, the English-speaking missionaries and East India Company functionaries in South India were impelled to master Tamil, the local language, in order to transact their business. Tamil also comprised ancient classical literary works, especially ethical and moral literature, which were found especially suited to the preferences of Christian missionaries. This interface between English and Tamil acted as a conduit for cultural transmission among different groups. The essays in this volume are on chosen areas of translation activities and explore cultural, religious, linguistic and literary transactions. This volume and its companion (which looks at the period between 1900 CE to the present) cover the late colonial and postcolonial era and will be of interest to students, scholars and researchers of translation studies, literature, linguistics, sociology and social anthropology, South Asian studies, colonial and postcolonial studies, literary and critical theory as well as culture studies.

A reference tool for those who seek an understanding of the structure of classical Tamil poetry. This poetry reflects indigenous literary and cultural traditions of southern India, and therefore, a study of it is imperative for obtaining a balanced view of India's past and present cultures. The language which produced this poetry, Tamil, is the only living language of modern India that has an uninterrupted history spanning more than two millennia, and therefore, a study of it becomes even more crucial for a thorough understanding of India's linguistic complexity. Includes a bibliography.

A prose and verse translation with grammatical commentary of the Upadesha Unthiyar of Sri Ramana Maharshi with relevant verses from the Tiru Unthiyar of Sri Muruganar. Also included are Manikkavacagar's Tiru Unthiyar and extracts from the Avirodha Unthiyar of Santalinga Swamigal and the Tiru Unthiyar of Uyyavantha Teva Nayanar. The book can be read in its own right, or as a companion volume to 'Ulladu Narpadu - a grammatical commentary' by the same author.