How ‘Murasu’ became the first Tamil name for a tropical cyclone

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Updated - November 02, 2026 03:09 pm IST - CHENNAI

Fishermen bring their boats ashore as the sea turns rough with rising waves amid the approaching Cyclone Murasu in Andhra Pradesh on November 2, 2026 | Photo Credit: Kommuri Srinivas

A name rooted in Tamil’s cultural past is travelling across the Bay of Bengal as a weather warning. As the severe cyclonic storm advances towards the Indian coast, ‘Murasu’, a Tamil name suggested by the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Chennai, has found its place in the region’s meteorological history.

The storm has been named from the second list of names for tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean prepared by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) panel. The traditional Tamil percussion instrument has lent its name to a severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal.

A view of the Tamil percussion instrument ‘Murasu’ displayed at Thol Isai Kalanjiyam Museum at Raja Annamalai Mandram in Chennai. Representational image. File | Photo Credit: K.V. Srinivasan

S. Balachandran, former additional director general of meteorology, who was heading the RMC when the names were proposed, said ‘Murasu’ was the first Tamil name to be assigned to a tropical cyclone since the naming of cyclones over north Indian Ocean began in September 2004.

“We suggested names related to ocean, fish, coastal areas and communication. ‘Murasu’ was proposed because the percussion instrument was used to disseminate information during the ancient period and to alert people about natural disasters. It also denoted a thunderous sound,” said Mr. Balachandran.

He recalled that after the names in the first list were exhausted, the Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre for Tropical Cyclones over North Indian Ocean, New Delhi, sought fresh list of names from various coastal States, including Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, in 2020.

Meteorologists noted that it was the third name after ‘Gati’ and ‘Tej’ to be featured in the list of 13 names suggested by India to the WMO and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific panel with contributions from 12 other countries. The panel met once in three years.

Initially, the names were provided by eight member countries and five more countries, including United Arab Emirates and Yemen, joined the panel for the second list of cyclone names.

N. Puviarasan, Head, Meteorogical Centre, Bengaluru who was posted in RMC Chennai then, recalled that the RMC had given names, including Thirukai, Kalappai, Yer and Naavai related to ocean, fishing and agriculture. But they did not make it to the list.

The names had to meet several criteria, including ease of pronunciation, a maximum length of eight letters and neutrality. Neer is another word that found its way in the list of cyclone names, he said.

While the pronunciation of the names has been added, meteorologists suggested that the official meaning should be made available to improve public understanding.

Published - November 02, 2026 03:08 pm IST

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