Njattyela Sreedharan, self-taught linguist and creator of four-language Dravidian dictionary, passes away at 87
Njattyela Sreedharan, a self-taught linguist known for his work on a four-language Dravidian dictionary, passed away at the age of 87. His monumental dictionary, Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam, linked Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu, showcasing his dedication to language and culture. Sreedharan's legacy as a cultural bridge builder will be remembered through his contributions to the study of South Indian languages.
- ▪Njattyela Sreedharan passed away on August 13, 2025, while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments.
- ▪He was celebrated for compiling the Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam, a significant work in South Indian linguistics.
- ▪Sreedharan's dictionary linked four Dravidian languages and was first published with the help of the Senior Citizens Forum.
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Njattyela Sreedharan, a self-taught linguist whose monumental work linked four Dravidian languages in a single dictionary, passed away early Thursday (August 13, 2025) while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments in Kannur, Kerala. He was 87.Mr. Sreedharan was celebrated for compiling the Chathur Dravida Bhasha Padhaparichayam, a work hailed as a milestone in the study of South Indian languages. Known to many as Kannur’s own Hermann Gundert, his legacy lies not just in his books, but in his belief that language binds communities. For Keralites, door opens to three other Dravidian languages His work, nurtured through decades of persistence, remains a testament to the power of self-learning and cultural curiosity.At the of 82, when most would consider slowing down, Mr.
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