Notes :The root is only represented in SDR and Telugu. Bongard-Levin & Gurov [1988] have pointed out the phonetic similarity to *var- 'paddy', which is supposed to be a borrowing from an Austronesian source. However, a development like *v- > 0- is impossible in Dravidian, and no Austronesian languages have a zero anlaut when this particular root (or any other with the meaning 'rice', for that matter) is concerned. This does not exclude the possibility of borrowing altogether, but leaves us without any clues as to the possible source. // Present in 2/6 branches.