AKAATI-NIKANTU

The first work of this kind is Akarƒti-nika–—u.  As the name indicates, it has adopted the alphabetical order in the arrangement of vocables.Its  author was Chidambara R„va–a Siddhar, a V…ra šaivite. The date of this work is 1594 A.D., as is seen from the introductory verse. All the words beginning with அ are grouped together, followed by words beginning with ஆ and  so  on to வௌ; but  there is no further alphabetical arrangement under the individual letters.  This is what is called the first -letter order1.  There are another plan that  has been adopted. Words beginning with each letter are meanings, three meanings sections, according as theory 3368 words treated in this way . Several sections must be looked thought to see if a given word occurs. 

In spite of these defects, this work is very important in the history of Tamil Lexicography. It was the first  reference work in Tamil to adopt the alphabetical order. How this order  was arrived at, we cannot say,  In Tamil  alphabetical order. How this order was arrived at we cannot say. In Tamil literature, there were species  of compositions, like varuka-k-k†vai, which were characterized by an alphabetical arrangement of the idea to the autor of the  stanzas. Most  probably, these works suggested the idea to the author of Akarƒti-nika–—u2. It is  probable that early Sanskrit Nigha–—us has also some influence in the matter.  

In another respect also Akarƒti-nika–—u is noteworthy. It gave us our word for a dictionary 3. To a person belonging to the 16th century, the term ' kakarƒti' would, by itself ,convey no meaning other than an alphabetical .

^{1 Students of English Lexicography will note that the Epinal Glossary had advanced exactly to his first-letter order. (Murray : Evolution of English Lexicography, p. 11).}

² We find an entry ` Ajƒrƒdi Nigha–—u' in Dr. Oppert's Catalogue of Sanskrit Mass. (4969). But this catalogue is an altogether unreliable guide, as it is not based on an examination of manuscripts; and the entry might after allhave reference to the Tamil work, Akarƒtinika–—u.  We may, however, note that the Nƒnƒrthƒr–ava Sanskrit Nighantu now available in print, adopts an alphabetical order in the arrangement of homonyms according to gender. This arrangement is expressly meant for easy reference.  The work was composed under the orders of Rƒjarƒja son of Kul†ttŒga  II, who reigned form 1146 A.D. to 1170 A.D.  Its author was K„šavaswƒmin, a_Sƒma-v„din in the service of that king.  

There is also another work in Sanskrit, the Nƒnƒrtha SaŒgraga  (now under publication by Dr. T.R. Chintamani, Senior Lecturer in Sanskrit, University of Madras) by Ajayapƒla, which follows the alphabetical order.  The is also a Nigha–—u on homonyms, as its name indicates.  As it is quoted in Tikƒ-saravasvam (1159 A.D.), it must be far earlier in date.

³ The term akarƒti (from Sanskrit Akƒrƒdi) exactly corresponds to the `Abecedarium' of Richard Huloet's ` The Abecedarium  Anglico Latinum pro Tyrunculis' published in 1552.

Compare Sir James Murray on the word `Dictionary' :- `The early vocabularies and dictionaries had many name, of often quaint and striking ; thus one of c. 1420 is eutitled the Nominale, orname-book ; mention has already been made of the medula grammatices, or marow of Grammar, the Ortus Vocabulorum, or Garden of Words, the promptorium parvulorum, and the Catholicon Anglicum ; alter we find the Manipulus Vocabulorum, or Handful of Vocables, the Alvearie. or Bechive, the Abecedarium, the Bibliotheca, or Library the Thesaurus, or Guide to the Tongues, the Glossographia, the New world of words, the Etymologicum, the Gozophylacium ; and it would have been impossible to predict in the year 1538, when Sir Thomas Elyot published his `Dictionary' that this name would supplant all the others, and even take the place of the older and better-descended word Vocubulary'.