Shivalli Brahmins > Tulu Language > Tulu Language and Script

Tulu Language and Script

Tulu Language:

Tulu is a language spoken in the area situated on the West Coast extending from the northern part of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district (now this part belongs ot the Udupi District) of Karnataka state up to the Kasargod Taluk (on the northern part) of the Kerala State. In ancient times this region was called Tulunaadu (the Tulu country) and the people whose mother tongue is Tulu are called the Tuluvas.

Tulu language belongs to the Dravidian group of languages that are spoken mainly in South India. Linguists enumerate about 24 Dravidian languages spread mainly in South India and some parts of North India and also in a few areas of Pakistan. Among a couple of dozens of Dravidian languages a few have evolved into major ones and have produced innumerable literary works for the last two thousand years. These works can stand par with other literary works of the world both in quality and quantity. Such developed languages of the Dravidian family are called as Major Dravidian languages. They are mainly five in number viz. Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Tulu and Malayalam. Thus attention may be drawn upon the fact that Tulu language is also one among the five major Dravidian languages. These five major Dravidian languages together are called as ‘Pancha Dravida BhashegaLu’.

Unfortunately the significance of the Tulu language was note recognised until Rev. Caldwell brought out his monumental work called ‘A comparative Grammar of the Dravidian or South Indian Family of Languages’. In this prestigious work he justifies that ‘Notwithstanding its want of a literature, Tulu is one of the most highly developed languages of the Dravidian family.’ It was this appraisal that opened the eyes of the lingusts towards Tulu and made them to give due respect and recognition to it as one of the important and developed Dravidian languages.

Tulu is spoken by about 2.5 million people. The major number of Tulu speaking population is found, in dense, in the coastal area of Karnataka state. Equally good number of Tulu speakers can be seen all over India and also in other parts of the World, mainly in Gulf countries and in U S A.

Tulu script:

Tulu Script
Tulu Script

In a casual or serious discussion on Tulu language, a question often crops up, right from the experts to laymen. That is whether Tulu has a script ? If ‘yes’ whether it is a form of Malayalam script?

The reasons for such a question are:

1. Tulu literature written in Tulu was, for long, not available (now Tulu classics in Tulu Script are discovered)

2. Tulu script was mainly used by Brahmins for writing Mantras. So others were not exposed to the script.

3. Tulu was not a medium or subject of formal school education. So Tulu script did not figure in school curriculum.

4. The similarity between Tulu and Malayalam scripts.

5. And, mainly because of the use of Kannada script for Tulu by German missionaries during the early stages of printing of Tulu works.

Language and Script

Language and Script are two different entities. The relation between a language and a script is neither ‘original’ nor ‘fixed’. Any language can be written in any script. That is how, there are about twenty scripts in the world for thousands of languages. Having or not having ‘own script’ is neither a status nor any impediment for a language. One of the prime language of today, English doesn’t have its own script. It uses the Roman script. So called ‘Divine language ‘ (Devabhasha) Sanskrit is written in Nagari script. Nagari is employed by Marathi, Hindi etc. English or Sanskrit can be written in Nagari or Kannada scripts. Name boards, letterheads etc use this type of writings. The words like English, railway, bus, paper, engineer are English words  written in various scripts. “I speak English” can be written in many scripts and the meaning is same. So also, sentences of any language in any script. Language and Script are not inseparable. Script is like mirror. It can reflect any image.

A script called Tulu is used in Tulunadu for centuries. All Tulu classics discovered recently are in Tulu script, and som in other scripts. This Tulu script was being used by Brahmins. Till recently they were using it for writing Mantras, for accounts etc. Since hundreds of years, Tulu Brahmins were going to Kerala Temples for priestly work (called ‘Shanti’ Services). They took the Tulu writing with them to Kerala thus they carried the Tulu script to Kerala. Malayalam had not developed a script of its own by that time. The upper castes and classes of Keralites started close contacts with the Tulu Brahmins and hence they adopted the Tulu script, and later adopted it to what is now called the Malayalam script. (This has been proved in detail by Vidwan P V Puninchathaya in ‘Tulu -Nadu-Nudi’).

Tulu as a language branched off from Dravidian (Mula Dravida), language, at least a thousand years earlier to Malayalam. So it is unlikely that a language much younger gave a script to an older language. Actually, probably Malayalam as an independent language was yet to be evolved, when Tulu had its own classical literature. So Tulu could not borrow a Malayalm script, simply because it did not exist. What existed was a Tulu Script, later taken by Malayalam. Another important proof of its antiquity is that the pundits (‘mathadhipatis’) use only Tulu for their signature since the begining of Matha tradition, despite the high status of Sanskrit in Mutts. Neither Sanskrit nor Kannada, but Tulu script is the official script of the Mutts in Tulunadu. Hence, it is a script evolved in Tulu area, that was later adopted for Malayalam. Hence it is Tulu script, and not Malayalam script nor Tulu-Malayalam script. To call Tulu script as Malayalam is both wrong and unfortunate.

Tulu is now disappearing in Tulu country and has established itself in Kerala. This, like many, is a paradox. So Tulu script has become a daughter of the in laws, and in-law of the motherland. The use of Kannada for Tulu is the reason for this pecular situation. The modern Tulu writings are using Kannada script. So it is natural that Tulu script is not likely to be revived for writing Tulu.

Summary

It is proved beyond doubt that Tulu had a script of its own. Tulu has given a script to Malayalam. Because of the use of Kannada for Tulu by German missionaries, the use of Tulu script declined. Most Tuluvar know Kannada. So they can easily use kannada script for Tulu.  Script and language are adoptable to each other. So with a few modifications, Kannada can be used for Tulu also. Any language can use any script. It is in question of usage and practices. However we should not forget that Tulu had its own script, and should at least know about it.

– Dr. K Padmanabha Kekunnaya

158 thoughts on “Tulu Language and Script”

  1. IS teh Tulu script followed 100% in Malayalam or is there any difference. If there is a diffrence, Can you put the Tulu letter in the web. This will help us know little more details about the language

  2. Yes I am pretty sure about the fact that Malayalam script was borrowed from Tulu Language. I am from Kerala and I know Malayalam.I saw the Tulu Scripts,the Lipi is same except minor changes .Minor changes means style of letters thats it. But We should work hard to prove that Tulu is also one of the oldest Dravidian languages and it too had a script. Lets hope our generation can do it .

  3. Yes, surely we have to prove that Tulu is one of the oldest Dravidian language and it has its own script. We are tulu brahmins should speak our own mother in our home and with relatives. We all should try to learn our tulu scripts and try to use and teach our next generation too. Before one year I read some articles about our tule langauage written by Neria Harish Hebbar and downloaded the tulu scripts and learnt it.

  4. Tulu Script (12 Century AD)

    For a long time during the last century, our people lamented that Tulu did not had any script. But later a large number of taalegari – palmyra leaf- manuscripts written in Tulu script were unraveled and presently more than 2000 of these are in the collection of Dharmasthala Cultural Research Trust. Many of these are reported to be about 800 year old.

    Venkataraja Punimchattaya (2001) brought out a booklet on Tulu script. Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy is at present popularizing the Tulu script. Neria Harish Hebbar (2003) has published the details of the Tulu script in his internet articles in http://www.boloji.com/places.

    Please check out taalegari – palmyra leaf- manuscripts written in Tulu script by my ancestors

  5. Whenever I mention that I speak Tulu at home, the first reaction is ” Oh, it does not have a script, no?”. I try hard to tell them that now usage is almost nill, but there was a script till recently. People don’t believe it. I am so sure that I have seen the script with my grandfather’s old palm-leaf books. As a boy, I could read the script because I was brought up in Kerala and knew malayalam.

    I am happy to see that this information is published in this website which can be quoted and people can verify seeing it. It was news to me that Malayalam borrowed the script from Tulu. It is going to be very interesting how Malayalis will receive this. More research is required on this issue.

  6. Tulu sript(if at all such a thing exists) was borrowed from malayalam and not vice versa as Vishnu Potti from Kerala argues.I am a Kannadiga who worked in Kochi for 23 years.I know Malayalam and Malayalis well.Baseless arguments, rooted in egotism ,like the one by Potti are perhaps responsible for the uncharitable remarks made by Malayalis about Tuluva settlers in Kerala

  7. Shivalli Brahmins were on contract for conducting poojas in the temples belonging to the Tiruvancore Sansthanam, and they were the ones who used the tulu script to write malayalam. Later Malayalam, which till then was only considered to be a dialect of Tamil (like Kundapur Kannada) absorbed the script into their language. Carbon dating of Tulu works found in many ancient tulu households can easily prove this. Kannadigas and Malayalis can argue against this but still this is the the truth.

  8. I have searched net for tulu and kannada languages and gathered some points are as follows:
    1.Tulu is the first language to separate from the moola dravida.
    2.Kannada is the very next language to separate from proto dravida much before tamil.This shows that tulu and kannada are older than tamil.
    3.Tulu has its own script but due to some mishandling it is destroyed by nature.It is the oldest script may be older than kannada script.Malayalees taken the tulu script and changed it slightly.
    Please remember that tulu and kannada are older than tamil.Nowadays kannada script is used for the writing tulu is not a bad idea.Because kannada script is the only script in the world you can write any language and any vibrations.It has about 52 letters.

  9. I am happy about to see tulu lipies. I want to see more article on it to give rebirth to that.

    Regards,

    Rajesh

  10. See people, dont fight for language. Afterall we are all Indians. The fact is, every language in India is either directly or indirectly influenced by each other languages.
    Dont say that brahmins were using tulu for writing mantras and all. See, the reason why hindus are getting converted into christians, its not because of christians, but its because of Brahmins. The true people who are behind religious clashes are brahmins. Brahmin priests dont allow other community people into temple mainplace and its still existing in many parts of India. I am not criticising any community but I am telling the bitter truths of differences within hindus.
    This is purely my personal opinion based on many evidences which we read in newspapers, see in tv, personal opinions of many hindus who converted themselves to christian religion.

  11. If one goes back to ancient times and researches, the concepts of why brahmana, kshatriya, shudra were defined and practised, will open ones eyes. Being well defined, there was no scope for argument or debate. Nowadays in modern times everything has become blurred with cross pollination the norm.
    It is fate which decides in which household one is born, therefore one should work and live according to the karma as ordained.
    One glaring example is the total anihilation of the tulu language. It is unfashionable amongst shivalli brahmins themselves to speadk tulu. Mother tongue as one calls it is the most valuable gift one can give to one’s children. More practise of this will automatically call for literature too.

  12. Tulu lipi toodu bari kushi aand,

    even i want to see more article on tulu language

    and i am trying to learn letters of tulu

    i hope, this is my small cotribution……………..

  13. A great language, a great region, a great religion and a great cusine, lets all strive to make Tulunadu and its inherent concepts a world wide phenomena
    For this lets strengthen the Organisation by creating a wide network of like minded people
    Keep up the good work

  14. 10 ears back i read in news paper that tulu lipi is found in someones library somewere near mangalore. now im really happy that i can show to all my friends. thank you so much . but now people are stopped talking in tulu .

  15. I am the publisher ENCYCLOPEDIA OF KRRALA,since I am convinced,that the orign of malayalam language is from tulu,and the nairs of kerala are direct decedents of the bunts of tulunadu.I will be very grateful ifyou could provide me with information about the above subject.
    Yours sincerly,
    balagopal.
    .

  17. Hi

    Tulu is the oldest language. No doubt. Mr. Venkataraj Punichithaya written many books on this. Even Kabbinale Vasantha Bharadwaja also working hard to write more on Tulu languages. Many organisation like Tuluverenkulu Bangalore, Tulu Koota, tuluvere Chavadi, Tulu Mitreru are working well for the cause of tulu.

    I am also involved in these association for the cause of Tulu in Bangalore.

    Regares

    Adiga K N Adoor
    9448848154

  18. Hi

    I invite tuluvas to join Tuluverenkulu organisation. Presently i am the Vice President for the same. Those who are in Bangalore can contact me for joining with us. My mail id adigakn@yahoo.co.in Mobile no. 9448848154

    Regards
    Adiga K N

  19. Look…script that both Malayalam and Tulu use are desendants of the Grantha script….Its not that the script was borrowed from Tulu to Malayalam or Malayalam to Tulu…People who argue this don’t know the evolution of Malayalam script which went modification from Grantha->Vattezhuttu/Kolezhuttu->Malayalam script…Maybe Tulu will also have such script evolution…Maybe even the same…Even Tamil shared this same lineage….Even Kannada script was evolved from Grantha…..Grantha inturn evolved from Brahmi script….

  21. yaan poortiyad tulu kalpodundu aase undu…….. matherla serd tulunu orippavodundu kanondulle……….

  22. Respected Sir/Madam

    Now i am try to learn Shivalli bhramin thulu can you help me send some of the blogs to learn thulu.

  23. Namakara Ranjith,

    I have gone thru the mail which is very useful. I am interested to know more about thulu.

  24. Hello, This is remarkable! The website is nicely put together.
    I came across this page and saw a lot of people interested in knowing
    more about the script. I have done prolonged research on the subject myself
    and would like to therefore share with those interested. Any feedback would
    be welcome!
    Tulu script –
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/15041499/Tulu-script?secret_password=14v736klnwpovltot60f

    About Tulu naadu –
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/15042399/About-Tulunaadu?secret_password=1727zgt0582fu7oyqy86

  25. Let all of us be aware that the tulu has a script and we have our own tradition and cultures and i think it is no were related to kannada.

  27. I am a descendant of a Tulu Brahmin family which migrated to Kerala from Puttur in DK about 200 years ago.We speak Tulu at home and are proud of our Tuluva lineage.Keralites ,unlike Tamils and Kannadigas are not language fanatics.We have Tulu associatione all over Kerala and they function with the wholehearted support of locals which include Namboothiris also but the recent aggressive assertion of Tuluva identity in this website{like saying that a rich and vibrant language like Malayalam is only an offshoot of Tulu}has hurt the politically aggressive but linguistically tolerant Malayalis to say that Kannadigas and Tuluvas are two sides of the same coin and hence Tuluvas deserve the discrimination that they face at the hands of Kannadigas in places like Mandya and Mysore .When I visit Bangalore,my Kannada friends say that I look like a Keralite and ask me why Tuluvas have more in common with Malayalis than Kannadigas.They say that both follow matrilineal system, use coconut oil and boiled rice and have similar physical features.Such fanatics [both Tuluva and Kannadiga] force me to discard my Tulu identity and immerse myself in the anonymity of Kerala society where even recent attempts by my Tulu brothers to wound Malayali pride by targetting their language has not strained the cordial relationship between the two linguistic communities.May wisdom prevail and let us not provoke our Kannada brothers by claiming that Kannada is also an offshoot of Tulu.

  28. We have admired the efforts of Padmanabha Kekunnaya, Venkataraja Punichiththaya and a number other scholars who contributed to the the current knowledge of Tulu language and Tulu script. However, isn’t it the time for us to look into the continuation of the scholarly studies and to produce the budding scholars so that when we discover some more of these literatures surface ? Any ideas? Can we pursue the scholarly interest by encouraging these scholars?

    Availability of such sources? Any depository? Encourage to bring out the hidden palm leaf books in the homes before they are devoured by the termites? Financial incentives?
    I would welcome any suggestions.

    Balakrishna Rao

  29. Tulu lipi toodu bharee khushi aand maarayre,

    bulepaavodu tulu bhashe
    tuluvappena jokulenkulu
    bale anna bale akka
    tulu appeg khushi korka

  30. Yes tulu script and malayalam scripts both are little same there is no major different, fonts are made different. I am working in Kochi. I know malayalam (to speak and little to read)
    we should prove that tulu had own script
    jai tulunadu

  31. Iam happy to know that Tulu has got its own lipi. I ‘ve in my home some old “Talegari Bundles” written by ancessistors. If interested you can have look at those bundles at Mundkur. Thanks & all the best.

  32. Tulu language having lip is a great thing….
    we should increase speaking in tulu..
    Henceforth I will speak tulu , atlease with all people who can understand and speak tulu
    we should increase tulu speaking people from 19 lacs to more….

  33. Dear Sir,

    Any books are available to learn speaking in tulu. If yes kindly send the details.

    Regards,
    Padmakshi Bhatt

  34. Being a Tulu man brought up in Kerala and now settled in Bangalore for the last 20 years, I love Tulu, Kannada and Malayalam equally. I am eager to know and learn and enjoy and assimilate all the three cultures. I feel at home among all the three categories of people. I am proud of Kathakali, Yakshagana and Dollu Kunita. I love Yesudas and Raj Kumar. I am eager to know about words of DVG, movies of Adoor Gopalakrishnan and speeches of Bannanje. I have not had the good fortune of seeing many Tulu movies, but look forward to it. The very fact that Malayalam script resembles Tulu makes me happy, because in one stroke I learnt two languages! The concept of loving one’s language so much that you start seeing others as inferior is old-fashioned, especially in this age of mixed marriages across caste, religion, region and language. Remember, we are all writing this in English. One can be proud of one’s language and still respect other languages and cultures. I am off to my SANSKRIT CLASS now……! Even less people talk in that……

  35. Dear Vaishnavi Murthy Yerkadithaya,

    You have done a wonderful job in the filed of “TuLu, TuLu NaaDu and TuLu Script”.
    I suggest your work shall be part of Important Links in Shivalli Brahmins.com.

    I Appriciate your efforts, keep up this good work

    LNBhat
    A Common Shivalli Brahmin

  36. i am really happy to say i am a tuluva,first time i visited this website, really i wonder how anciant langauage is ours!!!!!!!!!,thanxs evrybody to publish the article of our langauge,

  37. Im happy to know that the Tulu has its own language. im studying B.Sc Agri …….. But i like to know about the language and its origin…….. My mother tongue is KANNADA……….. living in coimbatore……. I know TAMIL and KANNADA to read write and speak BUT I CAN ABLE TO READ MOST OF THE IN TELUGU, MALAYALAM, HINDI, GRANTHA, LETS JOIN OUR HANDS TO TULU BE A ONE OF THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE………………

  38. Dakshina kannada , udipi and all other majority tulu speaking district should make tulu as the official language.

  43. Namaskara, yanna pudar sapna B acharya. yanu tulu nadudalu, yankku yanna dostinagulu kenonditheru tuluku lipi ejja?

  44. nana mith yarandala kenda lipi undu and panape. yank masth kushi avondundu I am very….. happy . thank you sir thank you very much , if any more information plez inform me. this is my Email ID “sapnabacharya@rocketmail.com”

  45. enk tulu panda masth esta.kinnithichila tulu pathernaga ellad kenonth etthe barepuna ancha panth. pathernaga urudakulu panda suruku kenuna tulu barpuna panth.enu tulu lipi class putttige swamulu naik pothithe.ethe musth laik aan kalpareg

  49. The Tulu Script submitted by me was displayed for some time and I find now it is missing!!!????
    I request the people of this site to exibit the same so that it may help others who are in need of Tulu script. Please exibit my submission permanently in your site…please…

  50. It is good see so many tulu lovers, I loved this, I want so many others who read this also to join this.

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