Know the Etymology: 386
Place Name of the Day: Tuesday, 06 January 2015

Maruthang-kea'ni, Mathurang-kea'ni, Kumbukkan-oya

மருதங்கேணி,
மதுரங்கேணி,
கும்புக்கன் ஒய
Marutaṅ-kēṇi, Maturaṅ-kēṇi, Kumbukkan-oya

Marutham+kea'ni
Mathuran+kea'ni
Kummbukkan+oya
Kumbuk+kan+oya

The constructed pond identified with Terminalia arjuna trees

The river identified with Terminalia arjuna trees or the forest of those trees

Marutham	also Maruthu, Marutha-maram: the tree Terminalia tomentosa (Tamil, DED 4718); the tree Terminalia arjuna (Tamil, MTL); the tree that grows near water sources and has given the name for the hydraulic-cultivation tract of land (Tamil, Changkam diction); cognates found in 14 Dravidian languages (DED 4718); Maradan: related to the tree Terminalia arjuna (Sinhalicised place names)
Mathuran	also Mathura-maram: the tree Maruthu, Terminalia arjuna (Batticaloa dialect of Eezham Tamil); Mathuran-koddai: the pods of Mathuran tree, the smoke of which is a mosquito repellent (Batticaloa usage); Madara, Maduru: Erabadu (Erythrina indica) tree (Sinhala, Sorata); Maduru: mosquito (Sinhala)
Kumbuk	the tree Terminalia arjuna (Sinhala, Sorata); Terminalia glabra (Sinhala, Clough); Kakuha: Terminalia arjuna (Sanskrit, CDIAL 2584); Kakubha: lofty (Sanskrit, CDIAL 2584); Gumpu: flock, multitude (Tulu, Kannada, DED 1741); Guburu, Gumuru: thickness as of foliage (Telugu, DED 1741); Kumbra, Gumbra: clump of trees (Kuwi, DED 1741); from Kumi: to heap up, accumulate, gather (Tamil, DED 1741)
Kan	either means forest, related to Kaan (DED 1418) or an expletive suffix coming through Tamilisation. See column on Rambuk-kana
Kea'ni	a constructed pond, usually lined by stones on the sides, and provided with steps or ramp for the use of people or cattle (Tamil usage); a kind of well for the drinking water use of a village or public (Tamil, Changkam diction, Ku'runthokai, 399: 1-2); a public water source (Tamil, Changkam diction, Pu'ranaanoo'ru, 393: 13); constructed pond tapping underground water (Tamil, Ma'nimeakalai, 19: 104); small pond dug in the sand (Tamil, Kallaadam, 75: 31); ditch (Tamil, lexicons); small tank, well, ditch, trench (Tamil, DED 1998); temporary well or tank, hole dug in a river's bed, a mine (Malayalam, DED 1998); temporary well or tank, hole dug in a river's bed (Kannada, DED 1998); related to Ki'na'ru: well (Tamil, DED 1998); related to the root Ki'ndu: to dig up, to burrow in (Tamil, DED 1542)
Oya	see columns on Weli-oya and Ho-pe

The majestic and sprawling tree, known by the names, Maruthu, Marutham and Marutha-maram in Tamil/ Dravidian (DED 4718), is largely identified by the botanical term Terminalia arjuna.

The large-girthed tree of rich foliage usually grows along the sides of water sources such as rivers, tanks and ponds. Often the presence of the tree in other localities indicates availability of potable underground water and helps water diviners in selecting spots to dig wells. It is one of the most sacred trees in South Asian cultures.

Because of the conspicuous presence of the tree in the landscape of water sources, the hydraulic-based paddy field and settled tract of land was also named Marutham in the ancient Tamil literary tradition.



Reference to the tree Maruthu/ Marutham in Changkam literature:'

“Varu punal vaiyai vaar ma'nal akan thu'rai thiru maruthu oangkiya viri malark kaa” (Akanaanoo'ru 36: 10)

“வரு புனல் வையை வார் மணல் அகன் துறை திரு மருது ஓங்கிய விரி மலர்க் கா” (அகநானூறு 36: 10)

The blossoming flower grove, where the auspicious Maruthu tree grows high on the sand-accumulating broad bank of the perennially flowing river Vaiyai


“Vaangku chinai maruthaththu” (Natti'nai, 350: 3)

“வாங்கு சினை மருதத்து” (நற்றிணை, 350: 3)

Of the Marutham tree of inclining branches



The Maruthu/ Marutham tree is often called Mathuran or Mathura-maram in the Batticaloa dialect of Eezham Tamil.

Such exchange of syllables is a common linguistic feature as could be seen in the other examples, Kuthirai > Kuruthai and Mathurai > Maruthai.

The Eastern Province place names Mathurang-kea'ni, Mathuragn-cheanai and Mathurang-kuzhi are some examples for the usage of the form Mathura/ Mathuran. But the standard form Maruthu also prevails in Batticaloa Tamil, as in the place names Marutha-munai, Chaayntha-maruthu etc.

Both the forms Marutham and Mathuran have also become Maradan, Maduran, Maduraa and Maduru in some of the Sinhala and Sinhalicised place names.

Maduru in Sinhala means the coral tree (Erythrina indica) as well as mosquito. But the context of the place names such as Maradan-kadawala, Maduran-kuliya, Maduraa-wala etc., and the river name Maduru-oya show that they are related to the tree Terminalia arjuna.

* * *

Kumbuk is the common Sinhala name for the Terminalia arjuna tree. The component could be found in large number of Sinhala place names, mostly associated with water sources.

A Comparative Dictionary of Indo-Aryan Languages (CDIAL 2584) relates Kumbuk with Kakuha meaning Terminalia arjuna and Kakubha meaning lofty in Sanskrit, as the tree usually grows large in its girth. The Dravidian cognates Kumbra, meaning clump of trees and Guburu/ Gumuru meaning thickness as of foliage, related to Kumi in Tamil (DED 1741) also need to be considered in tracing the etymology. The root Kum is a term related to loftiness.

The form Kumbukkan, as in the river name Kumbukkan-oya, could have come from two components, Kumbuk (Terminalia arjuna) and Kaan (forest, DED 1418). There is another place name Kumbukkana in Moneragala district. Another possibility is that there was Tamilisation by the addition of the expletive 'An' suffix.

* * *

Kea'ni in Tamil usually means a constructed pond getting water from underground source. Such ponds are made for public and cattle use. They are provided with steps if meant only for people and are provided with ramp if meant for both people and cattle. It was also a practice in the past to erect cattle-rubbing stone posts at the entrance of the ponds that were used by cattle. Constructing such Kea'ni ponds was considered a great charity in old times.

The Tamil/ Dravidian word Kea'ni (DED 1998) is related to Ki'na'ru meaning a well and to the verb root Ki'ndu, meaning to dig or to burrow in (DED 1542).



Kea'ni as constructed pond for the village or public to get potable water:

“Oor u'n kea'ni u'n thu'raith thokka paasi attea pasalai” (Ku'runthokai, 399: 1-2)

“ஊர் உண் கேணி உண் துறைத் தொக்க பாசி அற்றே பசலை” (குறுந்தொகை, 399: 1-2)

The darkening of her skin (caused by the separation from her lover) was like the spread of moss on the water collecting side of the village's drinking-water pond

Kea'ni as a dugout pond of underground water in contrast to Poykai as pond of surface water:

“Parappu neerp poykaiyum karappu neerk kea'niyum” (Ma'nimeakalai, 19: 104)

“பரப்பு நீர்ப் பொய்கையும் கரப்பு நீர்க் கேணியும்” (மணிமேகலை, 19: 104)

The Poykai pond of surface water and the Kea'ni pond of hidden water



Maruthang-kea'ni is a place in Vadamaraadchi East division of Jaffna district.

Mathurang-kea'ni is in Koara'laippattu West division of Batticaloa district

Kumbukkan-oya is a river that originates in the Moneragala district of Uva Province, borders the Eastern and Southern Provinces in its course and flows into sea at Kumuna at the border of Eastern Province and Southern Province.

* * *

Some related place names:

Maruthu/ Marutham (Tamil):


Maruthadi: Kaarainakar division, Jaffna district; Jaffna division, Jaffna district; Puthukkudiyiruppu division, Mullaiththeevu district

Maruthadi Ve'li: Puthukkudiyiruppu division, Mullaiththeevu district

Marutha-nakar: Karaichchi division, Ki'linochchi district; Puthukkudiyiruppu division, Mullaiththeevu district. The Nagar suffix is a recent one

Maruthang-ku'lam: Thu'nukkaay division, Mullaiththeevu district; Vavuniyaa division, Vavuniyaa district

I'la-maruthang-ku'lam: Maanthai East division, Mullaiththeevu district; Vavuniyaa division, Vavuniyaa district

Yaa-marutha-ku'lam: Maanthai East division, Mullaiththeevu district

Theaththaavadi Maruthang-ku'lam: Mannaar Town division, Mannaar district

Marutha-madu: Musali division, Mannaar district; Karaithu'raippattu division, Mullaiththeevu district; Vavuniyaa division, Vavuniyaa district

Channaar-ve'li Marutha-madu: Maanthai West division, Mannaar district

Choo'lai-ma'n Marutha-madu: Madu division, Mannaar district

Thadcha'naa Marutha-madu: Madu division, Mannaar district

Thuvakkadiththaan Marutha-madu: Naanaaddaan division, Mannaar district. Thuvakku, Thuppaakki: gun (Tamil); from Tupak: gun (Turkish, MTL)

Marutham-pooval: Puthukkudiyiruppu division, Mullaiththeevu district

Maruthoadai: Maruthu-oadai: Vavuniyaa North division, Vavuniyaa district

Marutha-munai: Kalmunai division, Ampaa'rai district

Chaayntha-maruthu: Chaaynthamaruthu division, Ampaa'rai district

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Maradan (Sinhalicised):


Maradan-maduwa: Vavuniyaa South division, Vavuniyaa district; Horowpothana division, Anuradhapura district

Maradan-kadawala: Horowpothana division, Anuradhapura district; Kekirawa division, Anuradhapura district; Giribewa division, Kurunegala district

Maradan-kulama: Chilaapam division, Puththa'lam district; Mihinthale division, Anuradhapura district

* * *

Mathuran (Tamil):


Mathuragn-cheanai: Poththuvil division, Ampaa'rai district

Mathurang-kea'nik-ku'lam: The tank of the village Mathurang-kea'ni; Koara'laippattu North division, Batticaloa district

Mathurang-kaddu-kudiyeattam: The settlement at the bund (tank) identified with Mathuran trees; or the settlement at the defined part found with Mathuran trees; Ea'raavoor pattu division, Batticaloa district

Mathurang-ka'nduth-thu'rai: The ferry point at the enclosure of defined part found with Mathuran trees; Verukal division, Trincomalee district. Ka'ndu: as found in other place name examples, seems to be equivalent to Ka'ndi and means an enclosure or defined part

Mathurang-kuzhi: Eechchilampattai division, Trincomalee district

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Maduran (Sinhala/ Sinhalicised):


Maduran-kuliya: from Mathurang-kuzhi: Munthal division, Puththa'lam district

Madurang-gala: Welikanda division, Polonnaruwa district

Maduraawa: Dompe division, Gampaha district

Maduraa-wala: Maduraa-wala division, Kalutara district

Maduraa-goda: Welipitiya division, Matara district

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Maduru (Sinhala):


Maduru-oya: a major river that borders Eastern Province and flows into sea near Paasik-kudaa in Batticaloa district

Maduru-pitiya: Mirigama division, Gampaha district; Warakapola division, Kegalle district

Maduru-vita: Minuwangoda division, Gampaha district

Maduru-doova: Matara Four Gravets division, Matara district

Æ-duwa Maduru-doova: Matara Four Gravets division, Matara district

Maduru-kætiya: Moneragala division, Moneragala district

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Kumbuk (Sinhala):

Kumbuk-oya: Wilgamuwa division, Matale district

Kumbuk-wæwa: Sooriyawewa division, Hambantota district; Galgamuwa division, Kurunegala district; Ampanpola division, Kurunegala district; Kotavehera division, Kurunegala district; Nikaweratiya division, Kurunegala district; Maho division, Kuruneala district; Karuwalagaswewa division, Puthha'lam district; Padaviya division, Anuradhapura district; Galenbindunuwewa division, Anuradhapura district; Kekirawa division, Anuradhapura district; Palugaswewa division, Anuradhapura district; Galnewa division, Anuradhapura district

Kumbuk-gaha-wæwa: Thalawa division, Anuradhapura district

Mahaa-kumbuk-wæwa: Kahatagasdigiiya division, Anuradhapura district

Mee-kumbuk-wæwa: Kahatagasdigiliya division, Anuradhapura district

Nækathi Kumbuk-wæwa: Ampanpola division, Kurunegala district

Koana-kumbuk-wæwa: Rambewa division, Anuradhapura district

Kumbuka: Horana division, Kalutara district

Kubuk-golla: Udadumbara division, Kandy district; Galewala division, Matale district

Kumbuk-gollæwa: Medawachchiya division, Anuradhapura district; Kahatagasdigiliya division, Anuradhapura district

Mahaa-kumbuk-gollæwa: Medawachchiya division, Anuradhapura district

Kudaa-kumbuk-gollæwa: Medawachchiya division, Anuradhapura district

Kumbuk-kandura: Kundasale division, Kandy district

Kumbuk-kandan-wala: Dambulla division, Matale district

Kumbukandana: Wilgamuwa division, Matale district

Kumbuk-wela: Walapane division, Nuwara Eliya district

Barawa-kumbuka: This may be probably related to a settlement of Paravar community in the dune sands; Ambalantota division, Hambantota district

Kumbuk-kadawala: Polpithigama division, Kurunegala district

Maha-kumbuk-kadawala: Mahaakumbukkadawala division, Puththa'lam district

Kumbu-kulaawa: The place of the community of potters; or the tank of Kumbuk trees; Polpithigama division, Kurunegala district. Kumbukaru: potter (Sinhala); Kula; family, race, tribe, caste (Sinhala)

Kumbuk-gætea: probably from Kumbuk-Kæta (Katiya); Ganewatta division, Kurunegala district

Kumbuk-kotuwa: Kuliyapitiya division, Kurunegala district

Kumbuk-gaha-mulla: Udabaddawadivision, Kurunegala district

Kumbuk-kana: Moneragala division, Moneragala district

First published: Tuesday, 06 January 2015, 15:55