Evolution of Tamil Scripts Quiz

Tamil Script and Its Evolution

Introduction

Tamil, an ancient Dravidian language, is primarily spoken by Tamils who inhabit areas along the eastern coast of the Indian Peninsula. It is one of the longest surviving languages globally, dating back to around 3000 years ago. Tamil is renowned for its diverse literature, including some of the earliest examples of poetry still existing in any language.

This article focuses on the evolution and characteristics of Tamil scripts throughout history.

Early Writing Systems

Early scripts used by the Tamils were largely pictorial or ideographic, depicting objects or concepts related to everyday life. One such example is the Indus script discovered on Harappa tablets, which includes symbols often associated with the use of cotton thread.

Brahmi Script and Its Influence on Tamil

Around 300 BC, the Brahmi script began to be adopted across South Asia, replacing older local scripts. The introduction of the Brahmi script led to the development of the Old Tamil script, which remained in use until the 12th century AD.

Old Tamil script was written from right to left and had thirty characters, including twenty consonants and ten vowels. It included both primary and secondary phonetic elements. However, this writing system lacked some features that are essential for writing poetry and had limited scope for expressing abstract concepts.

Emergence of New Writing Systems

During the period of Bhakti literature (6th-9th centuries), new meters emerged in which line structures were based on patterns of metric feet. This change enabled poets to use shorter 'ai' sounds without affecting syllable length or meter functionality.

These new meters allowed for greater flexibility and expression, leading to the development of additional allowances within lines of patterned meter. Poets became skilled in using both patterned meters and linkage-based meters while maintaining their discrete features and requirements.

Modern Tamil Script

In the 12th century AD, the Chola king Kulothunga III introduced the Vatteluttu script, which became the basis for the modern Tamil script. This script is still used today and is considered more phonetic and expressive than its predecessors.

The modern Tamil script consists of 12 consonants, 9 vowels, and 4 specialized signs. It is written from left to right and allows for the representation of a wide range of sounds, making it suitable for expressing various aspects of Tamil culture and literature.

Conclusion

The evolution of Tamil scripts has been a dynamic process, reflecting the changing needs of its speakers and the influence of other scripts. From its early pictorial forms to the highly phonetic modern script, Tamil has adapted and thrived, preserving its rich cultural heritage and contributing to the diverse literary traditions of the region.

Test your knowledge on the evolution of Tamil scripts throughout history, from ancient pictorial forms to the modern phonetic script. Explore the development of writing systems, including the influence of the Brahmi script and the emergence of the Vatteluttu script in the 12th century AD.