Who are the Dravidians ?

Originally posted by Vivek Sharma Their are a lot of opinions as th their origin & contribution to world culture. What exactly is the truth ? Are they different from Aryas, same as the polynesian ? were they part of the egyptian - Sumerian - babylonian civilizations which are said to have been run over by the Aryas

Perhaps the question should be divided into two parts. Who were and are the dravidians genetically speaking and who did they become by today over the last 10,000 years.

Then the linguistic question as well, what was the oldest dravidian root language and where did it start to differenciate itself and merge with other surrounding tongues and at what periods.

Besides all that there is another historical fact that needs to be clarified: Did panini incorporate a lot of "dravidian" vocabulary into classic sanskrit when he was overhauling the grammar rules 2000-2500 years ago to produce modern sanskrit?

Originally posted by Dear Sir I think Dravidian is a linguistic term.Speaker of a Dravidian language is a Dravidian.

Some people refer to them as a race as well. Others lump all subcontinent people together in the same asiatic subrace. The question that comes to my mind is how different are North Indians from South Indians genetically? Since it seems that the highest concentrations of "dravidians" would be somewhere in the south of India.

Originally posted by RajputGirl Others lump all subcontinent people together in the same asiatic subrace   That would be your worst nightmare, wouldn't it?        They should recognize the grandiose Pakistanis as their own race.       Those Indian Muslim migrant Muslims shouldn't be included in the Pakistani race, or even be lumped with the Pakistani Punjabis,  because that will just ruin your chances of being accepted by Afghans, Persians and Arabs.

Yes thats a terrible thought for a lot of people I am sure. Anyway back to the topic. Dravidian language, history, genes, religions and empires...how to define them versus north indian ones? Who exactly are the hard core dravidians today and who were they throughout history? This north-south differentiation is too vague.

1. Dravidians have been the creation of Robert Caldwell, a christian missionary.

Dear Sri. Vivek Sharma,

Originally posted by M. Nachiappan   5. Maqsad creates confusion bring so-many things:                      a. "Who were and are the dravidians genetically speaking and  who did they become by today over the last 10,000 years.                     b. Then the linguistic question as well, what was the oldest dravidian root language and where did it start to differenciate itself and merge with other surrounding tongues and at what periods.                    c. Besides all that there is another historical fact that needs to be clarified:                      d. Did panini incorporate a lot of "dravidian" vocabulary into classic sanskrit when he was overhauling the grammar rules 2000-2500 years ago to produce modern sanskrit?"   When Vivek does not mention "Dravidians", why Maqsad mentions it?   About the "Genetically speaking Dravidians", all the "DRavidian politicians" and "Dravidologists" would be more happy! That too, when there were even before the advent of Tolkappiyam, Ettuttogai, Patttuppattu!!   The he mentions about the "oldest Dravidian root" - even Caldwell would turn around in his grave!!!   Ah, the Sanskrit is just like some "vehicle" to overhaul, when the Dravidians were not there!!!!   The "All-empire Forum" readers and contributors should do some home work, before coming and writing something like this with pre-conceived, biased and prejudiced notions.   6. Race and language are different.   7. Script and language are different.   However, the Tamil poets said "Yedum ure, yavarum kelir"   8. Then, come the RajputGirl etc., started mentioning "Pakistani race"!!!!! and so on.   Long live "history"

You really need to understand the fundemental differences between a QUESTION and a STATEMENT before you start ranting on here. "creates confusion"? This whole thread is about the definitions and facts surrounding dravidians, what they are and who they are. Read Nachiapan! Before you start quoting and ranting everyone here.

I am not creating any confusion I am contributing points that need to be discussed and clarified. If you have any facts, or even any opinions then type them out here instead of these nonsensical personal attacks.

the dravidians are the original inhabitants of this country who followed pagan beliefs like worshipping of nature,worship of mother goddess they were defeated by the invading aryan brahmins and were hence forth treated as untouchables.
like the muslims of india,brahminism and aryans are also foreigner to the land of india.

Originally posted by Tipu Sultan the dravidians are the original inhabitants of this country who followed pagan beliefs like worshipping of nature,worship of mother goddess they were defeated by the invading aryan brahmins and were hence forth treated as untouchables. like the muslims of india,brahminism and aryans are also foreigner to the land of india.

Yep thats one of the most widely dispersed  theories.  I have also heard another one that when the brahmins came they also created  genetic  hybrids straight away through their progeny and  used these hybrids as  the brahmins, the other two casts trader and warrior were recruits into the brahmanic system. And the new cast, shudras, were the rebels who remained the conquered resistance.

Originally posted by Tipu Sultan actually the dravidians are these shudras and untouchables and the vaishyas and their castes and sub castes.

I don't actually get what you are saying. Could you provide a source? Perhaps explain it again?

The main reason I ask is because whenever I go India people always speak so greatly of South Indian mandirs. They awe the size and splendour of them. The people I got this information, priests.

What is this invading Aryan brahmin nonsense? Are you seriously trying to prove that all invading "Aryans" were Brahmins?