Fachbereich Asien-Orient-Wissenschaften

Hermann Gundert || Documentary 

A documentary film about the life and work of Hermann Gundert in Kerala - "The German Step-Father of Malayalam Language",  was premiered in Thiruvananthapuram on January 5th, 2024. This documentary delves into Gundert's life, from his arrival in India to his profound impact on Malayalam. Witness his transformation from a missionary to a passionate linguist, dedicated to preserving and elevating the language here.

Highlights: The Father of the Malayalam Dictionary: Explore Gundert's monumental achievement – compiling the first comprehensive Malayalam-English dictionary, a cornerstone of the language even today. Beyond the Dictionary: Discover Gundert's diverse contributions – publishing the first Malayalam newspaper, writing the first major grammar book, and introducing punctuation marks. A Life Intertwined with Kerala: Witness Gundert's immersion in the local culture, his love for the language, and the lasting legacy he left behind. From Missionary to Champion: Understand Gundert's complex role, navigating faith and cultural understanding, ultimately becoming a champion of Malayalam heritage.

Call for Papers

International Workshop On Languages and Traditions of Challenge and Change

Submission deadline: 15 October 2025

Notification of acceptance: 01 November 2025

Venue: Hotel Indraprastha, Kottayam

Time: 14–16 December 2025

The workshop aims to develop approaches to integrating arts and humanities into the discourse of climate change adaptation and sustainable development. Climate scientists and human geographers have repeatedly pointed out that the challenges posed by environmental degradation cannot be solved by relying on technoscientific solutions alone (Senanayake 2006; Lauer 2023; Nightingale et al. 2020). However, the role of cultures, languages, and literatures in deliberate and desirable attainment of sustainable development remains under-researched and unexplored (Schipper 2010; Schuler 2014; Gosh 2016). We are especially interested in interdisciplinary approaches in finding sustainable solutions to climate change and developing cultures of resilience (see, for example, Harris, Barwick, and Troy 2022). The focus of the workshop is (but not limited to) Malayalam language, literature, and the performance arts, combining lived traditions with textual and archival research. Given that Kerala and the Malabar Coast more broadly are vulnerable to the impact of climate change and environmental degradation, we propose to integrate Humanities-centred knowledge into the academic discourse on climate science and human geography, be it in Malayalam or English.

To do so, we invite participants to engage with the concept of Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) as the workshop aims to link the field of Kerala studies with world-leading expertise on Indigenous knowledge systems, like that of Jakelin Troy (Sydney), and Alice Mah (Glasgow). Kerala and the Malabar Coast have served as geopolitical and strategic crossroads between the eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean world since the 800s. The workshop seeks, therefore, to explore the environmental vulnerabilities of Kerala and its Indigenous (and Indigenised) communities, while considering their interrelatedness across the Indian Ocean world.

We call for papers based on historical, literary, or ethnographic research centred around any aspect of human organisation in response to the environment vulnerabilities, such as sea and hinterland connectivities, human-non-human relations, disaster response and management, pre-modern technologies etc. We are especially interested in scholarship that combines the study of literary sources (oral and written) with ethnography centered on Indigenous communities at the forefront of the climate crisis and facing the challenges of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, floods, landslides, heatwaves, and any other aspects of environmental degradation. We welcome contributions on topics such as (but not limited to):

Literature in response to disasters
Historical research on climate and environment
Community resilience via art, performance, and rituals
Languaging vulnerabilities of gender and caste
Religion, culture, and environmental crises
Cultural heritage preservation and resilience
Further guidance: Submit an abstract (300 words max) here by 15/10/2025.

Notification of acceptance: by 01/11/2025

Full paper: Authors of selected proposals will be required to submit short draft papers (between 2500 - 3,000 words) by 01/12/2025 to editor.tapasam@gmail.com according to the guidelines here.

Publication: Selected papers will be published in a special issue of TAPASAM Journal by December 2026.

Funding: Local travel (train, bus), subsistence, and accommodation will be provided by GCID

Location: Hotel Indraprastha, SH 1, S.H. Mount, Kumaranalloor, Kottayam, Kerala 686006, India

Organisers:

Glasgow Centre for International Development (GCID), University of Glasgow


in collaboration with


Association for Comparative Studies (Tapasam)

Institute for Social Sciences, Humanities and Oceanic Research (I-SHORE)

Inter University Centre for Social Science Research and Extension (IUCSSRE), Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam

Department of History, University of Hyderabad

The University of Sydney

Department of Indology, Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies (AOI), Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen

References cited:

Ghosh, Amitav. 2016. The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable. Illinois: University of Chicago Press.

Harris, Amanda, Linda Barwick, and Jakelin Troy (eds). 2022. Music, Dance and the Archive. Sydney University Press.

Lauer, Matthew. 2023. Sensing Disaster: Local Knowledge and Vulnerability in Oceania. University of California Press.

Nightingale, Andrea Joslyn, Siri Eriksen, Marcus Taylor, et al. 2020. “Beyond Technical Fixes: Climate Solutions and the Great Derangement.” Climate and Development 12(4): 343–352.

Schipper, E. Lisa F. 2010. “Religion as an Integral Part of Determining and Reducing Climate Change and Disaster Risk: An Agenda for Research.” In Der Klimawandel. Edited by Voss, M. Pp. 377–393. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.

Schuler, Barbara. 2014. “The Dynamics of Climate and the Dynamics of Culture.” In: Environmental and Climate Change in South and Southeast Asia: How Are Local Cultures Coping? Leiden: Brill. Pp. 1–24.

Senanayake, S. G. J. N. 2006. “Indigenous Knowledge as a Key to Sustainable Development.” Journal of Agriculture Science 2 (1): 87–94.
Details

Gundert Chair for Malayalam

India endows guest lectureship at the University of Tübingen

Lecturers from southwest India have been teaching the language Malayalam on the "Gundert Chair" since October 2015 

 

The University of Tübingen has been awarded a guest lectureship, donated by the Indian government and the Indian science organisation "University Grants Commission". Lecturers from Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University in the state of Kerala have been teaching "Malayalam", a language spoken by approximately 33 million people in south-western India, on a regular basis in Tübingen since October 2015. They thus complement the existing Malayalam teaching at the Department of Indology - a unique focus in Europe which has distinguished the University of Tübingen for about 15 years.

Gundert-Portal:

At the University Library of Tübingen (in cooperation with Prof. Heike Oberlin), the digitisation project "The Hermann Gundert Portal: Digitisation and indexing of the estate of Hermann Gundert (manuscripts and prints) and supplementary works from his environment at the University Library of Tübingen" was funded by the DFG 2016-2018. The database can be found HERE.

Current events:

Summersemester 2025

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin and Vishnupriyaa P S (M.A.)

Malayalam: Course for Beginners / Grundstufe 2

  • Mondays & Thursdays, 4:15-5:45 pm CET
  • HYBRID course: In class & via Zoom
    • Tübingen students have to enroll via Alma.
    • If you seek to join this course as a guest listener, please follow these instructions: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/951 

Malayalam Aufbaustufe 2

  • Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 11:00 am -12:15 pm CET
  • HYBRID (in person & via Zoom)
    • Tübingen students have to enroll via Alma.
    • If you seek to join this course as a guest listener, please follow these instructions: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/951  

The language of instruction is English.

Advanced Malayalam Reading. Songs of Kāṟaḷmān: Reading the Caviṭṭunāṭakam Kāṟaḷmān (Charlemagne)

Geetha Kaimathuruthil Wilson, (M.A.)

  • This one-week intensive block seminar, running from April 7 to April 11, offers an in-depth exploration of the Charlemagne/ Kāṟaḷmān songs from the Plōrippīss˘ play of the Charlemagne Chronicle in Caviṭṭunāṭakam.
  • The language of instruction is English, and is available in hybrid format (participation via Zoom)
    Course will be conducted in Room 1.05, Naulkestr.35.

Workshop Call

 Exploring Malayalam: A two-day intensive Workshop for Malayalam Language Proficiency || 14 – 15 October 2024 | Details
 Organised by Geetha Kaimathuruthil Wilson at the University of Tübingen | Nauklerstr. 35 | Room 1.06 and via Zoom (for selected participants)

Winter Term 2024/25

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin and Vishnupriyaa P S (M.A.)

Malayalam: Course for Beginners / Grundstufe 1
Details

  • Mondays & Thursdays, 4:15-5:45 pm CET
  • HYBRID course: In class & via Zoom
    • Tübingen students have to enroll via Alma.
    • If you seek to join this course as a guest listener, please follow these instructions: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/951 

Malayalam Aufbaustufe 1

  • Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 1:00-12:00 pm CET
  • HYBRID (in person & via Zoom)
    • Tübingen students have to enroll via Alma.
    • If you seek to join this course as a guest listener, please follow these instructions: https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/951  

The language of instruction is English.

 

Winter Term 2023/24 & Summer Term 2024

Instructors: Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin and Geetha K. Wilson (M.A)

  • Malayalam Grundstufe 1 and Grundstufe 2
  • Malayalam Aufbaustufe 1
  • Malayalam: Grammar & Readings

Winter Term 2022/23 & Summer Term 2023

Malayalam 3 & 4

Tuesdays, 4-5:30 pm CET (hybrid: in person & via Zoom)

Summer Term 2022

Summer School "Malayāḷam Literature and Screen Adaptions"

Prof. Dr. T. Anithakumary

When:
Monday, 1 August /2022 – Friday, 5 August 2022 &
Monday, 8 August 2022 – Friday 12 August 2022
Daily 9 am – 5 pm (with breaks)

Where:
„Gundert Chair“ for Malayalam at the Dept. of Indology, University of Tübingen
72074 Tübingen, Keplerstr. 2, Room 002
(Only in exceptional cases, online participation will be made possible.)

The Summer School aims to study the interconnection between Malayalam literature and cinema. Especially between 1960 and 1980 novels, short-stories, poetry and drama became the basis of movies. The examples chosen will focus on cinematic adaptations like Marthandavarma, Newspaper Boy, Bhargaveenilayam and Chemmeen, just to name a few, and film makers like Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who have a place in the history of world cinema.

Requirements: Basic knowledge of Malayalam desirable, suitable for beginners.
Further information & application: Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin | heike.oberlinspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de
Deadline for application: 1 July 2022
– no participation fees –

Further information & application

 

Winter Term 2021/22

Malayalam 1: Course for Beginners

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin

The course is aimed at beginners with no prior knowledge of the language.

The participants acquire knowledge of the Malayalam script (old and new), basic knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of the Dravidian language Malayalam and can comprehend, identify and explain basic structures of grammar and syntax.

  • Place: online participation via Zoom is possible
  • Time: classes on Mondays (4:15 – 7:45 pm CET) & Fridays (10:15 – 11:45 am CET); starting 25.10.2021, ending 11.2.2022
  • Fees: free for students registered at Tübingen University | 250€ for external participants
  • Registration: heike.oberlinspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

ATTENTION: The number of participants is limited. Tübingen students are given preferential admission. All other interested are requested to enclose a short letter of motivation (max. half page).
Application deadline for external participants: 30.9.2021.

Credit points / ECTS:
For students of the University of Tübingen: 6 ECTS.
For students from other universities: The approval must be negotiated with the respective university.

FLYER

 
Malayalam Grammar & Readings 

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin & Prof. Dr. T. Anithakumary

We will read various excerpts of Malayalam literature.
Existing knowledge of grammar will be consolidated.

The course is designed for students with prior knowledge of the language as far as Malayalam 1 and Malayalam 2 (Tübingen model).

  • Place: online participation via Zoom is possible
  • Time: classes on Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:30 pm CET; starting 26.10.2021, ending 8.2.2022
  • Fees: free (for students registered at Tübingen University and for external participants)
  • Registration: heike.oberlinspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

ATTENTION: The number of participants is limited. Tübingen students are given preferential admission.
Application deadline for external participants: 30.9.2021.

Credit points / ECTS:
For students of the University of Tübingen: 3 ECTS.
For students from other universities: The approval must be negotiated with the respective university.

 
Malayalam Literature and Screen Adaptations

Prof. Dr. T. Anithakumary

It is planned that this seminar will be held by the Gundert-Chair Professor T. Anithakumary (Malayalam University, Tirur) in classrooms over two weeks, starting mid-February 2022 (14.-25.2.2022). Any changes due to Corona regulations will be reflected in this space.

Those interested should get in touch with Prof. Heike Oberlin at heike.oberlinspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de.

Summer Term 2021

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin
Malayalam 2
Fridays, 11 am CET (via Zoom)
Malayalam: Grammar and Readings
Tuesdays, 5 pm CET (via Zoom)


Further information & registration: heike.oberlinspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

 

Winter Term 2020/21

Two Guest Lectures on the History of Kerala

Monday, 7.12.20203:30 pm CET (Online via Zoom) :

First Lecture: Kerala’s Development Model: Historical Background (Prof. Rajan Gurukkal)

Friday, 18.12.2020 3:30 pm CET (Online via Zoom) :

Second Lecture: Historical Roots of Kerala: Social, Cultural and Political Antecedents (Prof. Kesavan Veluthat)

Rigistration:
heike.oberlinspam prevention@uni-tuebingen.de

More Info: PDF

Language Course "Malayāḷam@Tübingen | Online Course for Beginners"

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin

In Tübingen the annual Malayalam intensive course for beginners will be offered this time online via Zoom due to the current situation caused by the corona pandemic. We will meet twice a week during the Tübingen winter term, i.e. we start on November 6th 2020 and end on February 26th 2021. As the number of participants is limited, please apply until 23.10.2020.

A course for intermediate level students is also taking place online via Zoom.

For further information and registration send an email to: heike.oberlin [ at ] uni-tuebingen.de.

Details

 

Summer Term 2020

Due to the Corona crisis, we have to cancel the Gundert Chair visit of Prof. T. Anithakumary and the associated compact courses, which were planned for July / August 2020.

Prof. Anithakumary will come back to Tübingen in summer 2021 to teach.

A course for intermediate level students is taking place online via "Zoom". If you would like to join this course online please pre-install Zoom on your device (https://zoom.us/download) and send an email to: heike.oberlin[at]uni-tuebingen.de.

In Winter Term 2020/21 a beginners' course will be offered.

 

Winter Term 2019/20

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin: Malayāḷam – Course for Beginners

10.-14.2. and 17.-21.2.2020
Keplerstr. 2, 72074 Tübingen, room 004

Details

Summer Term 2019

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin: Introduction into the Reading of Palm Leaf Manuscripts in Malayalam Script

26 July 2019 - 27 July 2019
daily 10 - 13 Uhr and 15 -17 h

Prof. Dr. Anithakumary Holder of the »Gundert Chair«

Malayalam: Grammar and Readings I

Monday, 29/07 – Friday, 02/08

Malayalam: Grammar and Readings II

Monday, 05/08 – Friday 09/08

 Details

 

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Heike Oberlin
Asien-Orient-Institut (AOI)
Telefon +49 7071 29-74005
heike.oberlin@uni-tuebingen.de

Homepage Hermann-Gundert-Gesellschaft: http://www.gundert.org