What is Vattezhuthu?

Vatteluttu, popularly known as Vattezhuthu, was a syllabic alphabet of south India (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and Sri Lanka used for writing the Tamil and Malayalam languages.

What is Vattezhuthu?
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About Vattezhuthu:

  • Vatteluttu, popularly known as Vattezhuthu, was a syllabic alphabet of south India (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and Sri Lanka used for writing the Tamil and Malayalam languages.
  • The name Vatteluttu is thought to mean either ’rounded script‘, ‘northern script’, or ‘chiseled script’.
  • It first appeared in stone inscriptions in southern India dating from the 4th century AD. 
  • It probably developed from the Tamil-Brahmi script; a variant of the Brahmi script used to write Old Tamil between from about the 3rd century BC until the 1st century AD.
  • Vatteluttu was used to write Tamil and Malayalam in Tamil Naduuntil the 9th century.
  • In Kerala, Vatteluttu continued to be used until the 15th century. It changed over time to become the Malayalam script, with some letters borrowed from the Grantha script.
  • Vatteluttu also developed into the Koleluttu script, which was used, especially by Christians and Muslims, in Keralauntil the 19th century.

Q1: What is Brahmi?

The Brahmi Script is the earliest writing system developed in India after the Indus script. It is one of the most influential writing systems; all modern Indian scripts and several hundred scripts found in Southeast and East Asia are derived from Brahmi.

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