View source for Tigalari script

{{Short description|Abugida writing system of the Brahmic family}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox writing system
| name        = Tigalari
| languages   = {{ubl
  | [[Tulu language|Tulu]]
  | [[Kannada]]
  | [[Sanskrit]]
  }}
| type        = [[Abugida]]
| time        = 9th century CE – present<ref>{{Cite book |last=Diringer |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.1287 |title=Alphabet a key to the history of mankind |date=1948 |page=385}}</ref>
| fam1        = [[Egyptian hieroglyphs|Egyptian]]
| fam2        = [[Proto-Sinaitic]]
| fam3        = [[Phoenician script|Phoenician]]
| fam4        = [[Aramaic script|Aramaic]]
| fam5        = [[Brahmi script]]
| fam6        = [[Tamil Brahmi]]
| fam7        = [[Pallava script]]<ref>Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography, R. Malatesha Joshi, Catherine McBride(2019), p.28</ref>
| fam8        = [[Grantha script|Grantha]]
| sisters     = {{ubl
  | [[Malayalam script]]
  | [[Thirke script]]
  | [[Saurashtra script]]
  | [[Dhives Akuru]]
  }}
| sample      = Tululipi4.svg
| caption     =
| imagesize   = 250px
| unicode     = [https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U11380.pdf U+11380&ndash;U+113FF]
| iso15924    = Tutg
| footnotes   =
| note        = none
}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{Brahmic}}

'''Tigalari''' is a Southern [[Brahmic scripts|Brahmic script]] which was used to write [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Kannada]], and [[Sanskrit]] languages. It was primarily used for writing [[Vedas|Vedic texts]] in Sanskrit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ScriptSource - Tigalari |url=https://scriptsource.org/cms/scripts/page.php?item_id=script_detail&key=Qaau |website=scriptsource.org}}</ref> It evolved from the [[Grantha script]].

The oldest record of the usage of this script found in a stone inscription at the Sri Veeranarayana temple in [[Kulshekar|Kulashekara]] here is in complete Tigalari/Tulu script and Tulu language and belongs to the {{CE|1159}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 2019 |title=Tulu stone inscription in Veeranarayana temple belongs to 1159 A.D.: Historian |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/tulu-stone-inscription-in-veeranarayana-temple-belongs-to-1159-ad-historian/article26344575.ece# |access-date=21 July 2020 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> The various inscriptions of Tulu from the 15th century are in the Tigalari script. Two Tulu epics named ''Sri Bhagavato'' and ''Kaveri'' from the 17th century were also written in the same script.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Steever |first=Sanford B |title=The Dravidian Languages |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9781136911644 |pages=158–163}}</ref> It was also used by [[Tulu language|Tulu]]-speaking Brahmins like [[Shivalli Brahmins]] and Kannada speaking [[Havyaka Brahmin]]s and [[Kota Brahmins]] to write [[Vedas|Vedic]] [[mantra]]s and other [[Sanskrit]] religious texts. However, there has been a renewed interest among Tulu speakers to revive the script as it was formerly used in the [[Tulu Nadu|Tulu-speaking region]]. The [[Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy]], a cultural wing of the [[Government of Karnataka]], has introduced Tuḷu language (written in Kannada script) and Tigalari script in schools across the [[Dakshina Kannada|Mangalore]] and [[Udupi district]]s.<ref name="Tulu Unicode 2017">{{Cite web |last=Vaishnavi Murthy K Y |last2=Vinodh Rajan |title=L2/17-378 Preliminary proposal to encode Tigalari script in Unicode |url=https://www.unicode.org/L2/L2017/17378-tigalari.pdf |access-date=28 June 2018 |website=unicode.org}}</ref> The academy provides instructional manuals to learn this script and conducts workshops to teach it.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamila |first=Raviprasad |date=23 August 2013 |title=Tulu academy's script classes attract natives |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/tulu-academys-script-classes-attract-natives/article5051292.ece |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The Hindu}}</ref>

== Names ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Name of the script
! Prevalent in
! References to their roots
|-
| Arya Ezhuttu<br/>Grantha Malayalam
| Kerala, Parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
| Malayalam Speakers, Manipravala, Tamil Grantha 
|-
| Western Grantha<br/>Tulu-Malayalam
| Few academic publications
| 19th Century Western Scholars
|-
| Tulu-Tigalari
| [[Malenadu]] and [[Karavali]] regions of [[Karnataka]]
| Kannada speakers, Havyaka Brahmins, National Manuscript Mission Catalogues
|-
| Tulu Lipi<br/>Tulu Grantha Lipi
| Coastal Karnataka, [[Tulu Nadu]]
| Tulu speakers, A C Burnell
|}

The name by which this script is referred to is closely tied with its regional, linguistic or historical roots. It would not be wrong to assign all the names mentioned above to this script.<ref name="Tulu Unicode 2017" />

Arya Ezhuttu, or the more recently coined term Grantha Malayalam, is used to refer to this script in Kerala. Arya Ezhuttu covers the spectrum between the older script (that is Tigalari) until it was standardised by the lead types for Malayalam script (old style) in Kerala.<ref name="Tulu Unicode 2017" />

''Tigalari'' is used to this day by the Havyaka Brahmins of the Malanadu region. ''Tigalari'' is also the term that is commonly used to refer to this script in most manuscript catalogues and in several academic publications today. Gunda Jois has studied this script closely for over four decades now. According to his findings that were based on evidences found in stone inscriptions, palm leaf manuscripts and early research work done by western scholars like B. L. Rice, he finds the only name used for this script historically has been ''Tigalari''.<ref name="Tulu Unicode 2017" />

It is referred to as ''Tigalari lipi'' in [[Kannada]]-speaking regions ([[Malenadu|Malnad region]]) and [[Tulu language|Tulu]] speakers call it as ''Tulu lipi''. It bears high similarity and relationship to its sister script [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]], which also evolved from the [[Grantha script]].

This script is commonly known as the ''Tulu script'' or ''Tulu Grantha'' script in the coastal regions of Karnataka. There are several recent publications and instructional books for learning this script. It is also called the Tigalari script in—Elements of South Indian Palaeography by Rev. A C Burnell and a couple of other early publications of the Basel Mission press, Mangalore. Tulu Ramayana manuscript found in the [[Dharmasthala]] archives refers to this script as ''Tigalari Lipi''.

==Geographical distribution==
The script is used all over [[Kanara|Canara]] and [[Malenadu|Western Hilly]] regions of [[Karnataka]]. Many manuscripts are also found [[North Canara]], [[Udupi]], [[South Canara]], [[Shimoga district|Shimoga]], [[Chikkamagaluru]] and [[Kasaragod district]] of Kerala. There are innumerable manuscripts found in this region. The major language of manuscripts is [[Sanskrit]], mainly the works of [[Vedas|Veda]], [[Hindu astrology|Jyotisha]] and other Sanskrit epics.

==Usage==

===Historical use===
[[File:Tigalari-manuscript-Vidyamadhaviyam.jpg|thumb|300px|Tigalari manuscript folio in [[Sanskrit]], ''Vidyamadhaviyam-Jyotisha Shastram'']]
[[File:Tigalari-sanskrit-manuscript.jpg|thumb|300px|Tigalari manuscript]]

Thousands of manuscripts have been found in this script such as [[Vedas]], [[Upanishads]], [[Jyotisha]], [[Dharmashastra]], [[Purana]] and many more. Most works are in Sanskrit. However, some Kannada manuscripts are also found such as ''Gokarna Mahatmyam'' etc. The popular 16th-century work ''Kaushika Ramayana'' written in Old Kannada language by Battaleshwara of [[Yana, India|Yana]], Uttara Kannada is found in this script. ''[[Mahabharata|Mahabharato]]'' of 15th century written in this script in Tulu language is also found. But earlier to this several 12th-13th century Sanskrit manuscripts of [[Madhvacharya]] are also found. [[Honnavar]] in Uttara Kannada District is known for its [[Samaveda]] manuscripts.  Other manuscripts like ''[[Devi Mahatmya]]m'', from the 15th century and two [[epic poem]]s written in the 17th century, namely ''Sri Bhagavato'' and ''Kaveri'' have also been found in [[Tulu language]].

===Modern use===
Today the usage of the script has decreased. It is still used in parts of [[Kanara]] region and traditional ''[[Matha|maṭha]]''s of undivided [[Dakshina Kannada]] and [[Uttara Kannada]] Districts.

The [[National Mission for Manuscripts]] has conducted several workshops on Tigalari script. [[Dharmasthala]] and the [[Ashta Mathas of Udupi]] have done significant work in preserving the script. Several studies and research work has been done on Tigalari script. [[Keladi]] houses over 400 manuscripts in Tigalari script.

There is a gaining support and interest by Tuluvas in revival of the script. [[Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy]] is constantly conducting meetings with experts for standardisation of Tulu script.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shenoy |first=Jaideep |date=30 November 2019 |title=Karnataka Tulu Sahitya academy to convene meet of experts for standardisation of Tulu script |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/karnataka-academy-to-convene-meet-of-experts-for-standardisation-of-tulu-script/articleshow/72303131.cms |access-date=21 July 2020 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> There is also huge support from Local MLAs for popularising the Tulu script.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shenoy |first=Jaideep |date=18 November 2019 |title=MLA Vedavyas Kamath gives Tulu an online fillip |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/mla-vedavyas-kamath-gives-tulu-an-online-fillip/articleshow/72102948.cms |access-date=21 July 2020 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

There are many places in [[Tulu Nadu]] region where sign boards are being installed in Tulu script.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Monteiro |first=Walter |date=21 July 2020 |title=Karkala: Nandalike Abbanadka Friends Club inaugurates road signboard in Tulu |url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay.aspx?newsID=732646 |access-date=21 July 2020 |work=Daijiworld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=DHNS |first=Harsha |date=21 June 2020 |title=Athikaribettu GP's initiative to publicise Tulu gets good response |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/mangaluru/athikaribettu-gp-s-initiative-to-publicise-tulu-gets-good-response-852216.html |access-date=21 July 2020 |work=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

==Preservation==
; Keladi Museum & Historical Research Bureau, Shimoga, Karnataka
: The museum has a library of about a thousand paper and palm leaf manuscripts written in Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu, besides four hundred palm leaf manuscripts in Tigalari script. They relate to literature, art, [[dharmaśāstra]], history, astrology, astronomy, medicine, mathematics and veterinary science. There are several collections in the museum, including art objects, arms coins, stone sculptures and copper plate inscriptions belonging to the [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagara]] and [[Keladi]] eras. The Institution is affiliated to Gnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta, [[Kuvempu University]] of Shimoga.

; Oriental Research Institute Mysore
: The [[Oriental Research Institute Mysore]] houses over 33,000 palm leaf manuscripts. It is a research institute which collects, exhibits, edits and publishes rare manuscripts in both Sanskrit and Kannada.  It contains many manuscripts, including ''[[Sarada Tilaka | Sharadatilaka]]'', in Tigalari script.  The ''Sharadatilaka'' is a treatise on theory and practice of [[tantra|Tantric worship]]. While the exact date of the composition is not known, the manuscript itself is thought to be about four hundred years old. The author of the text, Lakshmana Deshikendra, is said to have written the text as an aid to worship for those unable to go through voluminous Tantra texts. The composition contains the gist of major Tantra classics and is in verse form.

; Saraswathi Mahal Library, Thanjavur
: Built up by the [[Thanjavur Nayak kingdom|Nayak]] and [[Thanjavur Maratha kingdom|Maratha]] dynasties of [[Thanjavur]], [[Saraswathi Mahal Library]] contains a very rare and valuable collection of manuscripts, books, maps and painting on all aspects of arts, culture and literature. The scripts include Grantha, Devanagari, Telugu and Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Tigalari and Oriya.

; French Institute of Pondicherry
: The [[French Institute of Pondicherry]] was established in 1955 with a view to collecting all material relating to ''[[Shaivism|Saiva]] [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Āgama]]s'', scriptures of the Saiva religious tradition called the [[Shaiva Siddhanta]], which has flourished in South India since the {{BCE|eighth century}} The manuscript collection of the Institute<ref>The digitized Tigalari manuscripts can be viewed at {{Cite web |title=Welcome to the IFP Manuscripts Database |url=http://www.ifpindia.org/manuscripts/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131124120611/http://www.ifpindia.org/manuscripts/ |archive-date=24 November 2013 |access-date=24 November 2013}}</ref> was compiled under its Founder–Director, Jean Filliozat. The manuscripts, which are in need of urgent preservation, cover a wide variety of topics such as Vedic ritual, Saiva Agama, [[Puranas#Sthala Puranas|Sthalapurana]] and scripts, such as Grantha and Tamil. The collection consists of approximately 8,600 palm-leaf codices, most of which are in the Sanskrit language and written in Grantha script; others are in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Nandinagari and Tigalari scripts.

: The ''Shaiva Agama'' is composed in Sanskrit and written in Tigalari script. Though there may be a few copies of these texts available elsewhere, this particular codex comes from southern Karnataka, providing glimpses into the regional variations and peculiarities in ritual patterns. The manuscript was copied in the 18th century on (sritala) palm leaf manuscripts.

Apart from these they are also found in [[Dharmasthala]], Ramachandrapura Matha of Hosanagar, Shimoga, [[Sodhe|Sonda]] Swarnavalli Matha of [[Sirsi, Karnataka|Sirsi]] and the [[Ashta Mathas of Udupi]].

==Characters==
A chart showing a complete list of consonant and vowel combinations used in the Tigalari script.

[[File:Tulu glyphs.png|500px|thumb|center|Syllables in the Tigalari script]]

===Comparison with other scripts===
Tigalari and [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]] are both descended from [[Grantha script]], and resemble each other both in their individual letters and in using consonant conjuncts less than other Indic scripts. It is assumed that a single script around 9th-10th century called Western Grantha, evolved from Grantha script and later divided into two scripts.<ref>Andronov, Mikhail Sergeevich. ''A Grammar of the Malayalam Language in Historical Treatment''. Wiesbaden : Harrassowitz, 1996.</ref>

[[File:Tulu_Kannada_Malayalam1.jpg|300px|center]]

The following table compares the consonants {{Transliteration|tcy|ka}}, {{Transliteration|tcy|kha}}, {{Transliteration|tcy|ga}}, {{Transliteration|tcy|gha}}, {{Transliteration|tcy|ṅa}} with other Southern Indic scripts such as [[Grantha alphabet|Grantha]], Tigalari, [[Malayalam Alphabet|Malayalam]], [[Kannada alphabet|Kannada]] and [[Sinhala script|Sinhala]].

[[File:Tigalari script comparison chart..jpg|350px|center]]

==Unicode==
{{Main|Tulu-Tigalari (Unicode block)}}

The Tigalari script was added to the [[Unicode Standard]] in September 2024 with the release of version 16.0. The Unicode block for Tigalari, named Tulu-Tigalari, is located at U+11380–U+113FF:

{{Unicode chart Tulu-Tigalari}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Citation |last=S. Muhammad Hussain Nainar |title=Tuhfat-al-Mujahidin: An Historical Work in The Arabic Language |year=1942 |url=https://archive.org/details/Tuhfat-al-MujahidinAnHistoricalWorkInTheArabicLanguage |publisher=University of Madras |isbn=9789839154801}} 
* {{Citation |last=J. Sturrock |title=Madras District Manuals - South Canara (Volume-I) |year=1894 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.csl.3200/page/n1/mode/2up |publisher=Madras Government Press}}
* {{Citation |last=Harold A. Stuart |title=Madras District Manuals - South Canara (Volume-II) |year=1895 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281736/mode/2up |publisher=Madras Government Press}}
* {{Citation |last=Government of Madras |title=Madras District Gazetteers: Statistical Appendix for South Canara District |year=1905 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.177471/page/n1/mode/2up |publisher=Madras Government Press}}
* {{Citation |last=Government of Madras |title=Madras District Gazetteers South Canara (Volume-II) |year=1915 |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ministry.16591/page/n5/mode/2up |publisher=Madras Government Press}}
* {{Citation |last=Government of Madras |title=1951 Census Handbook- South Canara District |year=1953 |url=http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6023/1/7746_1951.pdf |publisher=Madras Government Press}}
* {{Citation |last=J. I. Arputhanathan |title=South Kanara, The Nilgiris, Malabar and Coimbatore Districts (Village-wise Mother-tongue Data for Bilingual or Multilingual Taluks) |year=1955 |url=http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6447/1/50056_1951_SOU.pdf |publisher=Madras Government Press}}
* {{Citation |last=Rajabhushanam |first=D. S. |title=Statistical Atlas of the Madras State (1951) |year=1963 |url=http://lsi.gov.in:8081/jspui/bitstream/123456789/6454/1/9111_1951_STA.pdf |place=Madras (Chennai) |publisher=Director of Statistics, Government of Madras}}

==See also==
* [[Grantha script]]
* [[Malayalam script]]
* [[Tulu Nadu]]

==External links==
{{Commons category|Tulu script}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=0J3GCwAAQBAJ Tulu Alphabet - Tulu Lipi: Tulu Akshara Male by GVS Ullal]
* [http://tuluacademy.org/en/tulu-alphabets/ Lessons on Tulu alphabets by Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy] 
* [http://www.typoday.in/2012/spk_papers/vaishnavi-murthy-typographyday2012.pdf Tending to the Inheritance of Tulu Script] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713165554/http://www.typoday.in/2012/spk_papers/vaishnavi-murthy-typographyday2012.pdf |date=13 July 2019 }}

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{{list of writing systems}}

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<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Brahmic scripts]]
[[Category:Tulu language]]
[[Category:Abugida writing systems]]
[[Category:Scripts with ISO 15924 four-letter codes]]