Malayalam a bigger test than polls

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Couple of years ago if he was asked which were the most important languages of the world, Shashi Tharoor, then an under secretary general of the United Nations, would likely have answered���Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Ask him now, and the answer is more likely to be Malayalam.

The man who jetted around New York and New Delhi, and Amman and Amsterdam, now has to scurry around the by-lanes of the Kerala capital, from Peroorkada to Pazhavangadi and Kazhakkoottam to Kannammoola as Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram. Even pronouncing the place names need not come easily to the former diplomat who can only claim Malayali roots, but Mr Tharoor is making every effort to speak in Malayalam as much as possible.

For a persuasive speaker like him, being tongue-tied should be a particularly annoying experience, but Mr Tharoor is backing his efforts with a Malayali attire, complete with mundu and white shirt. The irony of the situation is exaggerated by the fact that Mr Tharoor has initiated an English language communication academy operating out of the Technopark here, aimed at sharpening the language and communication skills of youth. While Malayali youth get their English speaking skills a lift at his academy, Mr Tharoor himself is faced with the task of polishing his Malayalam skills.

Whether he likes it or not, Mr Tharoor will only be too aware of the need to identify with the Malayali psyche. Earlier this month, AICC general secretary Tom Vadakkan had faced criticism from Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikkode who found fault with his Malayalam diction.