Tulu script

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.

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.

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.Fact|date=January 2007 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.

References

* [http://www.boloji.com/places/0020.htm Tulu Language: Its Script and Dialects by Neria Harish Hebbar]
* [http://www.yakshagana.com/tulu.htm The Tulu Language by Dr. K Padmanabha Kekunnaya]
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/sep/22udupi.htm Tulu lexicon project]

ee also

* Bhuta Kola
* Nagaradhane
* Paād-danāas

External links

* [http://www.boloji.com/places/0020.htm Images of the Tulu script]