solution to the "kuyava' etymology

[Periannan Chandrasekaran]

On , Palaniappa <Palaniappa at AOL.COM> wrote:

.......
>
>In his communication to me, Madhav Deshpande said, "Looking at the
discussion
>so far, I believe the traditional commentators
>are merely guessing when it comes to the meaning/etymology of the name
>kuyava. .......
..."
>
>In light of Deshpande's comments, with some further research, I think I
have
>found a solution to the "kuyava" etymology.
>
>Classical Tamil provides a striking parallel to the Vedic material. CT has
a
>homonym "kuyam". It means "community of potters" as well as the
>"harvesting/reaping sickle". "kuya" is used as the first member of
compounds
>as in "kuyakkuTi" meaning "hamlet of potters".
>
>. "kuyam" in the sense of
harvesting/reaping
>sickle occurs in the following poem.
>
.....
>"koy" meaning "to pluck (as flowers), cut, reap, shear(as hair), snip off,
>choose, select. Cognates  of "koy" in the sense of "reap/harvest" occur in
all
>the branches of Dravidian. Hence, it must be traced to proto-Dravidian. I
>think the VS "kuyava" in the sense of "harvest" must be derived from this.
.....
>
>S. Palaniappan

I wonder if one needs to resort to "koy"...
The word "kuy" itself is employed as the root in words  which cover many
classical pursuits of craftsmanship:

pottery, cutting, perforation (of stones, beads, or to make wind
instruments), making/playing musical instruments, jewelry (perforation,
polishing etc), tailoring and so on.

This word has a strong parallel to the usage of "kal" (as in kalam for any
product of craftsmanship). Also worth considering the word Ta. "kai" for
"hand".

Even though CT references for most of these can be cited, for immediate
purposes I am citing the Cologne On Line Tamil Lexicon for many words:
kuyavan2  01 potter

kuyam  1. sickle, reaping-hook, curved knife; 2. razor; 3. potter caste

kuyil 04 hole, perforation

kuyavu  car, chariot

kuyin2ar  1. those who polish and perforate gems; 2. tailors

kuyin2  02 deed, work

kuyiluvam
 playing on stringed instruments, drums, tabrets, clarionets, horns


kuyiluvar

players on stringed instruments, drums, tabrets, clarionets, horns

kuyalan2
  man of great skill, dexterity

kuyiRRu-tal

01 1. to tell, say, utter; to lay down, as rules
02 1. to make, construct, form perform; 2. to enchase, set, as gems

kuyil(lu)-tal
02 1. to make, execute, shape, construct; 2. to weave;
3. to plait, braid, intwine; 4. to bore, perforate,
tunne; 5. to enchase, set as precious stones;
1. to take place; 2. to be thick, close, crowded; 3. to sound, play


Regards
Chandra