Tulu script

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The Tulu script, also known as the Tigalari script, strongly resembles the script of Malayalam language. Whether Tulu borrowed its script from Malayalam or not has been disputed for some time.

The Tulu Brahmins wrote the Vedic mantras in Tulu script. Since Malayalam had evolved as an independent language almost 1,500 years before Tulu bifurcated from its Proto-Dravidian roots, it is safe to conclude that the Tulu language evolved a script, which was borrowed from the Malayalam language.

1 Ancient works in Tulu
2 Decline
3 Today
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

Ancient works in Tulu

Compared to other South Indian languages, Tulu doesn't possess a vast array of literary works. Tulu Mahabharata is the earliest piece of literature, from the 15th century written in Tulu script. Other manuscripts like Tulu Devimahatme, from the 15th century and two epic poems written in 17th century, namely Sri Bhagavata and Kaveri have also been found. As most of the folk and literary works have been passed down orally, it is difficult to find the original manuscripts pertaining to these works.The relationship between Tulunad and Kerala was very harmonious even in ancient times because Tulunadu was also a part of Kerala according to the puranas. Tulu Brahmins were traveling to Kerala for further studies in agama shastras or for conducting rituals in temples. The Tulu Brahmins used to write down the slokas on palmyra leaves (taalegari), which were used then for writing, in a curvy, floral style of script. Earlier it was considered as a variant of Malayalam script. But recent studies showed that this was the script used by the Brahmin scholars and later was adopted by the Kerala kings.Interestingly one can observe that the Malayalam spoken in the northern districts of Kerala and the Tulu spoken in the southern parts of Tulunadu are very much similar.

It is well known that Malayalam had no independent script till 12th century AD. The present Malayalam script came into usage only after the 12th century. Thus the Tulu script used by the Tulu scholars for writing in Kerala at that time evolved into the present Malayalam script.Tulu script was adopted by the King of Travancore during the 12th century AD, for writing in Malayalam, further asserts the antiquity of the Tulu script.

Decline

There are various reasons for the decline of the Tulu script. Linguistically, Tulu was a minority language in the erstwhile Madras Presidency under the British. As such, it was never given due attention by the rulers. Secondly, the establishment of a printing press by German missionaries, who used Kannada script instead of Tulu, led to further decrease in use of the original Tulu script.

Today

Tulu as a language continues to thrive in coastal Karnataka. It has mainly survived due to the love of the Tuluvas towards their language. There have been efforts by Tulu Sahitya Academy to introduce Tulu as an optional language in schools around coastal Karnataka.

The Govinda Pai Research Centre at MGM College, Udupi started an 18-year Tulu lexicon project in the year 1979.^{[citation needed]} Different dialects, special vocabularies used for different occupational activities, rituals, and folk literature in the forms of Paād-danāas were included in this project. The Centre has also released a six-volume, trilingual, modestly priced Tulu-Kannada-English lexicon. The Tulu lexicon was awarded the Gundert Award for the best dictionary in the country in 1996.