News Excerpt:

Madhika, a language spoken by the Chakaliya community that migrated from Karnataka to Kannur (Kerala) centuries ago, is fast becoming extinct.

About Madhika Language:

• It sounds similar to Kannada, but Madhika can still bewilder listeners due to its diverse influences. It is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam. 

• Havyaka Kannada, an old form of Kannada, largely influences it.
• It has no script.

The major reason behind its extinction: 

• Youngsters of the community are not interested in learning the language and are drawn to mainstream languages like Malayalam. They show little interest in learning this linguistic relic. Like many other native languages that perished, Madhika too is being pushed into oblivion by a dominating language (in this case Malayalam).
• For a significant period, this community faced dehumanizing treatment. Hence, many of its young and educated people want to dissociate themselves from the past. So they do not want to be identified by their language and prefer to speak Malayalam.

About Chakaliya Community: 

• The community was nomadic and its people were worshippers of Thiruvenkatramana and Mariamma. This community was in northern Malabar and migrated from the hilly regions of Karnataka centuries ago.
• Several community members still live in small numbers in areas such as Palakunnu, Kookanam, Pranthanchal, and Ezhilode. 
• Initially recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, it was later included in the Scheduled Caste category in Kerala.
• The community’s mention can be found in the book Caste and Tribes of Southern India. 
• Chakaliya community’s people were considered untouchables, they were not allowed to participate in feasts associated with marriages and funerals in the past.