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Ancient Drum Inspires Cyclone Murasu's Name
2 Nov
Summary
- Cyclone Murasu's name originates from an ancient Tamil drum.
- The name was proposed by meteorologist P. Puviarasan in 2020.
- Cyclone naming is a regional system involving 13 countries.
Cyclone Murasu, forming over the Bay of Bengal, bears a name with significant historical resonance. The name was proposed in 2020 by Indian meteorologist P. Puviarasan, drawing inspiration from the 'Murasu,' an ancient Tamil drum.
This traditional drum was historically used to convey important announcements and warnings of disasters across kingdoms. Puviarasan's choice reflects this historical function, aligning it with the crucial role of cyclone warnings in alerting populations.
The naming of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea is managed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as part of a collaborative system involving 13 nations. This practice, initiated in September 2004, ensures names are culturally neutral and easily pronounceable, with 'Murasu' fitting these criteria.
Puviarasan also shared other Tamil names considered, such as 'Neer' (water) and 'Navai' (boat), emphasizing a deliberate effort to incorporate Tamil linguistic heritage into the international cyclone naming convention.
