Grantha script: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Ajay Kumar
Last edited February 20, 2026
VisualWikitext
Created a new article
 
refine page also and fixed typos
 
Line 2: Line 2:
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{stack|
{{Infobox Writing system
{{Infobox Writing system
|name=Grantha script
| name       = Grantha script
|altname={{Script|Gran|𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥}}
| altname     = {{Script|Gran|𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥}}
|type=[[Abugida]]
| type       = [[Abugida]]
|languages=[[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Sanskrit Language|Sanskrit]]
| languages   = [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Sanskrit Language|Sanskrit]]
|time=7th century CE - present<ref name=brittanica/><ref name=diringer/> (excluding [[Pallava script|Pallava Grantha]])
| time       = 7th century CE – present (excluding [[Pallava script|Pallava Grantha]])
|fam1=[[Egyptian hieroglyphs|Egyptian]]
| fam1       = [[Egyptian hieroglyphs|Egyptian]]
|fam2=[[Proto-Sinaitic]]
| fam2       = [[Proto-Sinaitic]]
|fam3=[[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]]
| fam3       = [[Phoenician alphabet|Phoenician]]
|fam4=[[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]
| fam4       = [[Aramaic alphabet|Aramaic]]
|fam5=[[Brahmi script|Brahmi]]
| fam5       = [[Brahmi script|Brahmi]]
|fam6=[[Tamil-Brahmi]]
| fam6       = [[Tamil-Brahmi]]
|fam7=[[Pallava script|Pallava]]<ref>Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography, R. Malatesha Joshi, Catherine McBride(2019),p.28</ref>
| fam7       = [[Pallava script|Pallava]]
|sisters= [[Tamil script|Tamil]], [[Old Mon script|Old Mon]], [[Khmer script|Khmer]], [[Cham script|Cham]], [[Kawi script|Kawi]]
| sisters     = [[Tamil script|Tamil]], [[Old Mon script|Old Mon]], [[Khmer script|Khmer]], [[Cham script|Cham]], [[Kawi script|Kawi]]
|children= [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]]<br />[[Saurashtra script|Saurashtra]]<br/>[[Tigalari script|Tigalari]]<ref>[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/grantha.htm Grantha], Omniglot (2014)</ref><br/>[[Dhives Akuru]]
| children   = [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]]<br/>[[Tigalari script|Tigalari]]<br />[[Thirke]]<br />[[Saurashtra script|Saurashtra]]<br/>[[Dhives Akuru]]<br/>[[Sinhala script|Sinhala]]
|sample= Mandakapattu Inscription.jpg
| sample     = File:Shukla Grantha.svg
|imagesize=320px
| imagesize   = 200px
|caption= 7th-century inscription in Grantha script at the [[Mandagapattu Temple|Mandagapattu Hindu temple]]
| caption     = The word 'Grantha' in modern Grantha typeface
|iso15924=Gran
| iso15924   = Gran
|unicode = [https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U11300.pdf U+11300–U+1137F]
| unicode     = [https://www.unicode.org/charts/PDF/U11300.pdf U+11300–U+1137F]
|note = none
| note       = none
|footnotes = The theorised Semitic origins of the Brahmi script are not universally agreed upon.
}}
}}
{{brahmic}}
{{brahmic}}
The '''Grantha script''' ({{lang-ta|கிரந்த எழுத்து|Grantha ezhuthu}}; {{lang-ml|ഗ്രന്ഥലിപി|granthalipi}}) is a South [[Indian script]], found particularly in [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]]. Originating from the [[Pallava script]], the Grantha script is related to the [[Tamil script|Tamil]] and the [[Vatteluttu]] scripts.<ref name="Salomon1998p42"/> The modern [[Malayalam script]] of Kerala is a direct descendant of the Grantha script.<ref name="Salomon1998p42">{{cite book|author=Richard Salomon|title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the other Indo-Aryan Languages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYrG07qQDxkC|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-535666-3|pages=40–42}}</ref> The Southeast Asian and Indonesian scripts such as [[Thai script|Thai]] and [[Javanese script|Javanese]] respectively, as well as South Asian [[Tigalari script|Tigalari]] and [[Sinhala script]]s, are derived or closely related to Grantha through the early Pallava script.<ref name="Casparis1975p12">{{cite book|author=J. G. de Casparis|title=Indonesian Palaeography: A History of Writing in Indonesia from the Beginnings to C. A.D. 1500|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cLUfAAAAIAAJ |year=1975|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-04172-9|pages=12–17}}</ref><ref name="HerbertMilner1989">{{cite book|author1=Patricia Herbert|author2=Anthony Crothers Milner|title=South-East Asia: Languages and Literatures : a Select Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-EqbeRzdDrsC&pg=PA127|year=1989|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-1267-6|pages=127–129}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Pierre-Yves Manguin|author2=A. Mani|author3=Geoff Wade|title=Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia: Reflections on Cross-cultural Exchange|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuCYBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA306|year=2011|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=978-981-4311-16-8|pages=283–285, 306–309}}</ref> The [[Pallava script]] or Pallava Grantha, emerged in the 4th century CE and was used until the 7th century CE, in India.<ref name="griffiths">{{cite journal |last1=Grifiths |first1=Arlo |title=Early Indic Inscriptions of Southeast Asia |date=2014 |url=https://www.academia.edu/6301451}}</ref><ref name="diringer"/> This early Grantha script was used to write [[Sanskrit]] texts, inscriptions on copper plates and stones of Hindu temples and monasteries.<ref name=britgrantha>{{cite book|title=Grantha alphabet (Alternative title: Grantha script)|author=((Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica))|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica|year=1998|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Grantha-alphabet}}</ref><ref name="Salomon1998p42"/> It was also used for classical [[Manipravalam]] – a language that is a blend of Sanskrit and Tamil.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Giovanni Ciotti|author2=Hang Lin|title=Tracing Manuscripts in Time and Space through Paratexts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ezCDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA62|year=2016|publisher=Walter De Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-047901-0|pages=62–63}}</ref> From it evolved Middle Grantha by the 7th century, and Transitional Grantha by about the 8th century, which remained in use until about the 14th century. Modern Grantha has been in use since the 14th century and into the modern era, to write classical texts in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="Salomon1998p42"/> It is also used to chant hymns{{Clarify|reason=How do you use a script to chant?|date=October 2020}} and in traditional Vedic schools.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|last=Singh|first=Upinder|date=2008-01-01|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9788131711200|language=en}}</ref>
}}
The '''Grantha script''' ({{Langx|sa|𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥𑌲𑌿𑌪𑌿|granthalipi}}; {{langx|ta|கிரந்த எழுத்து|Granta eḻuttu}}; {{langx|ml|ഗ്രന്ഥലിപി|granthalipi}}) is a classical [[South India]]n [[Brahmic script]], found particularly in [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Kerala]]. Originating from the [[Pallava script]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mirza |first1=Amna |last2=Gottardo |first2=Alexandra |title=Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography |date=2019 |publisher=Springer International Publishing |isbn=978-3-030-05977-4|pages=329–351 |chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-05977-4_17 |access-date=22 July 2024 |language=en |chapter=Learning to Read in Their Heritage Language: Hindi-English Speaking Children Reading Two Different Orthographies|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-05977-4_17 }}</ref> the Grantha script is related to [[Tamil script|Tamil]] and [[Vatteluttu]] scripts. The modern [[Malayalam script]] of Kerala is a direct descendant of the Grantha script.<ref name="salomon1998">{{cite book|author=Richard Salomon|title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the other Indo-Aryan Languages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYrG07qQDxkC|year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-535666-3|pages=40–42}}</ref> The Southeast Asian and Indonesian scripts such as [[Thai script|Thai]] and [[Javanese script|Javanese]] respectively, as well as South Asian and Sri Lankan scripts such as [[Tigalari script|Tigalari]]<ref name="omniglot">{{cite web |title=Grantha alphabet for Sanskrit |url=https://www.omniglot.com/writing/grantha.htm |website=www.omniglot.com |access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref> and [[Sinhala script|Sinhalese script]]s respectively, are derived or closely related to Grantha through the early Pallava script.<ref name="Casparis1975p12">{{cite book|author=J. G. de Casparis|title=Indonesian Palaeography: A History of Writing in Indonesia from the Beginnings to C. A.D. 1500|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cLUfAAAAIAAJ |year=1975|publisher=BRILL Academic|isbn=90-04-04172-9|pages=12–17}}</ref><ref name="HerbertMilner1989">{{cite book|author1=Patricia Herbert|author2=Anthony Crothers Milner|title=South-East Asia: Languages and Literatures : a Select Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-EqbeRzdDrsC&pg=PA127|year=1989|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-1267-6|pages=127–129}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Pierre-Yves Manguin|author2=A. Mani|author3=Geoff Wade|title=Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia: Reflections on Cross-cultural Exchange|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FuCYBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA306|year=2011|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=978-981-4311-16-8|pages=283–285, 306–309}}</ref> The Pallava script or Pallava Grantha emerged in the 4th century CE and was used until the 7th century CE, in India.<ref name="griffiths">{{Cite book |last=Arlo |first=Guy |editor-first=john|editor-last=guy|author-link=Griffiths |url=https://www.academia.edu/6301451 |title=Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early South east Asia |date=2014 |publisher=Metropolitan Museum of Art |isbn=9781588395245 |chapter=Early Indic Inscriptions of Southeast Asia |access-date=22 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="diringer">{{cite book |last1=Diringer |first1=David |title=Alphabet a key to the history of mankind |date=1948 |page=411 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.1287}}</ref> This early Grantha script was used to write [[Sanskrit]] texts, inscriptions on copper plates and stones of Hindu temples and monasteries.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="salomon1998"/> It was also used for classical [[Manipravalam]] – a language that is a blend of Sanskrit and Tamil.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Giovanni Ciotti|author2=Hang Lin|title=Tracing Manuscripts in Time and Space through Paratexts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ezCDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA62|year=2016|publisher=Walter De Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-047901-0|pages=62–63}}</ref> From it evolved Middle Grantha by the 7th century, and Transitional Grantha by about the 8th century, which remained in use until about the 14th century. Modern Grantha has been in use since the 14th century and into the modern era, to write classical texts in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="salomon1998"/> It is also used to chant hymns{{Clarify|reason=How do you use a script to chant?|date=October 2020}} and in traditional Vedic schools.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H3lUIIYxWkEC|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|last=Singh|first=Upinder|date=2008-01-01|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=9788131711200|language=en}}</ref>


The Tamil purist movement of the colonial era sought to purge the Grantha script from use and use the Tamil script exclusively. According to Kailasapathy, this was a part of Tamil nationalism and amounted to regional ethnic chauvinism.<ref>K. Kailasapathy (1979), [https://www.jstor.org/pss/3516775 The Tamil Purist Movement: A Re-evaluation], Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No. 10, pp. 23-27</ref>
The Tamil purist movement of the colonial era sought to purge the Grantha script from use and use the Tamil script exclusively. According to Kailasapathy, this was a part of Tamil nationalism and amounted to regional ethnic chauvinism.<ref>K. Kailasapathy (1979), [https://www.jstor.org/pss/3516775 The Tamil Purist Movement: A Re-evaluation], Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No. 10, pp. 23-27</ref>


==History==
==History==
In [[Sanskrit]], ''grantha'' is literally 'a knot'.<ref>MACDONNELL, ARTHUR. A HISTORY OF SANSKRIT LITERATURE. 1. LONDON: MOTILAL BANARASIDASS, 1900. 15. Print.</ref> It is a word that was used for books, and the script used to write them. This stems from the practice of binding inscribed palm leaves using a length of thread held by knots. Grantha was widely used to write Sanskrit in the Tamil-speaking parts of [[South Asia]] from about the 5th century CE into modern times.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="Salomon1998p42"/>
In [[Sanskrit]], ''grantha'' is literally 'a knot'.<ref name=macdonnell>{{cite book |last1=Macdonell |first1=Arthur Anthony |title=A History of Sanskrit Literature |date=31 December 1997 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0035-9 |page=15 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8wM-dNOa7fMC |access-date=22 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> It is a word that was used for books, and the script used to write them. This stems from the practice of binding inscribed palm leaves using a length of thread held by knots. Grantha was widely used to write Sanskrit in the Tamil-speaking parts of [[South Asia]] from about the 5th century CE into modern times.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="salomon1998"/>


[[File:9th century Tamil Grantha script Sanskrit Chera era font.jpg|thumb|left|A Chera era Grantha inscription.]]
[[File:9th century Tamil Grantha script Sanskrit Chera era font.jpg|thumb|A Chera era Grantha inscription.]]
The Grantha script was also historically used for writing Manipravalam, a blend of Tamil and Sanskrit which was used in the exegesis of Manipravalam texts. This evolved into a fairly complex writing system which required that Tamil words be written in the Tamil script and Sanskrit words be written in the Grantha script. By the 15th century, this had evolved to the point that both scripts would be used within the same word – if the root was derived from Sanskrit it would be written in the Grantha script, but any Tamil suffixes which were added to it would be written using the Tamil script. This system of writing went out of use when Manipravalam declined in popularity, but it was customary to use the same convention in printed editions of texts originally written in Manipravalam until the middle of the 20th century.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
The Grantha script was also historically used for writing Manipravalam, a blend of Tamil and Sanskrit which was used in the exegesis of Manipravalam texts. This evolved into a fairly complex writing system which required that Tamil words be written in the Tamil script and Sanskrit words be written in the Grantha script. By the 15th century, this had evolved to the point that both scripts would be used within the same word – if the root was derived from Sanskrit it would be written in the Grantha script, but any Tamil suffixes which were added to it would be written using the Tamil script. This system of writing went out of use when Manipravalam declined in popularity, but it was customary to use the same convention in printed editions of texts originally written in Manipravalam until the middle of the 20th century.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}


In modern times, the [[Tamil-Grantha script]] is used in religious contexts by Tamil-speaking [[Hindu]]s. For example, they use the script to write a child's name for the first time during the naming ceremony, for the Sanskrit portion of [[South Asian wedding card|traditional wedding cards]], and for announcements of a person's last rites. It is also used in many religious almanacs to print traditional formulaic summaries of the coming year.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
In modern times, the [[Tamil-Grantha script]] is used in religious contexts by Tamil-speaking [[Hindu]]s. For example, they use the script to write a child's name for the first time during the naming ceremony, for the Sanskrit portion of [[South Asian wedding card|traditional wedding cards]], and for announcements of a person's last rites. It is also used in many religious almanacs to print traditional formulaic summaries of the coming year.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}


[[File:8th Century Grantha script Sanskrit language Velvikudi Grant, LINES 8-14.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5|8th century [[Velvikudi inscription|Velvikudi grant inscription]] in the Grantha script (Sanskrit language).]]
[[File:8th Century Grantha script Sanskrit language Velvikudi Grant, LINES 8-14.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5|center|8th century [[Velvikudi inscription|Velvikudi grant inscription]] in the Grantha script (Sanskrit language).]]


==Types of Grantha==
==Types of Grantha==
[[File:Pratyahara Sutras.jpg|thumb|[[Shiva Sutras|Pratyāhāra Sūtras]] in Grantha Script]]
[[File:Tanjavur Tamil Inscription2.jpg|thumb|right|Grantha inscription at Bṛhadīśvara Temple, India]]
Grantha script may be classified as follows:


===Pallava Grantha===
===Pallava Grantha===
{{main|Pallava script}}
{{main|Pallava script}}
An archaic and ornamental variety of Grantha is sometimes referred to as Pallava Grantha. It was used by the Pallava in some inscriptions from the 4th century CE<ref name="griffiths"/> to the 7th century CE, in India.<ref name="diringer"/> Examples are the [[Mamallapuram]] [[Tiruchirapalli]] Rock Cut Cave Inscriptions and Kailasantha Inscription.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
An archaic and ornamental variety of Grantha is sometimes referred to as Pallava Grantha. It was used by the Pallava in some inscriptions from the 4th century CE<ref name="griffiths" /> to the 7th century CE, in India.<ref name=diringer/> Examples are the [[Mamallapuram]] [[Tiruchirapalli]] Rock Cut Cave Inscriptions and Kailasantha Inscription.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}


===Middle Grantha===
===Middle Grantha===
Middle Granta first appeared in the Kuram copper plates, dating from around 675 CE, and was used until the end of the 8th century CE.<ref name=brittanica/><ref name="diringer">{{cite book |last1=Diringer |first1=David |title=Alphabet a key to the history of mankind |date=1948 |page=411 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.gov.ignca.1287}}</ref>
[[File:Mandakapattu Inscription.jpg|thumb|200px|7th-century inscription in Grantha script at the [[Mandagapattu Temple|Mandagapattu Hindu temple]]]]
Middle Grantha first appeared in the Kuram copper plates, dating from around 675 CE, and was used until the end of the 8th century CE.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="diringer"/>


===Transitional Grantha===
===Transitional Grantha===
Transitional Grantha is traceable from the 8th or 9th century CE, until around the 14th century CE.<ref name=brittanica>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Grantha-alphabet |title=Grantha alphabet (writing system) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=2012-03-11}}</ref><ref name="diringer"/> The Tulu-Malayalam script is derivative of Transitional Grantha dating to the 8th or 9th century CE, which later split into two distinct scripts&nbsp;– [[Tigalari script|Tigalari]] and [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]].<ref name=brittanica/><ref name=diringer/>
Transitional Grantha is traceable from the 8th or 9th century CE, until around the 14th century CE. The Tulu-Malayalam script is derivative of Transitional Grantha dating to the 8th or 9th century CE, which later split into two distinct scripts&nbsp;– [[Tigalari script|Tigalari]] and [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]].<ref name=britgrantha>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Grantha-alphabet |title=Grantha alphabet (writing system) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=2012-03-11}}</ref><ref name="diringer"/>


===Modern Grantha===
===Modern Grantha===
Grantha in the present form dates from the 14th century CE. The oldest modern manuscript has been dated to the end of the 16th century CE. Two varieties are found in modern era Grantha texts: the 'Brahmanic' or square form used by Hindus, and the 'Jain' or round form used by Jains.<ref name=brittanica/><ref name="diringer"/>
Grantha in the present form dates from the 14th century CE. The oldest modern manuscript has been dated to the end of the 16th century CE. Two varieties are found in modern era Grantha texts: the 'Brahmanic' or square form used by Hindus, and the 'Jain' or round form used by Jains.<ref name=britgrantha/><ref name="diringer"/>


==Modern Grantha typeface==
==Modern Grantha==
The Grantha script has evolved over time. The modern Grantha is illustrated below and shares similarities with the Modern Tamil Script.<ref name=omni1>[https://www.omniglot.com/writing/grantha.htm Grantha Alphabet], Omniglot (2017), The Online Encyclopedia of Writing Systems and Languages</ref>
The Grantha script has evolved over time, and shares similarities with the modern Tamil Script.<ref name=omniglot/>
 
[[File:Shukla Grantha.svg|thumb|200px|The word 'Grantha' in modern Grantha typeface]]
 
===Vowels===
[[File:Grantha Vowels.svg|350px]]


===Consonants===
===Consonants===
As with other [[Abugida]] scripts Grantha consonant signs have the [[inherent vowel]] /a/. Its absence is marked with Virāma:
As in other [[Brahmic]] scripts Grantha consonant signs have an [[inherent vowel]], typically corresponding to {{IPA|/a/}}, so, for example, the letter {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕}}}} is pronounced {{IPA|/ka/}}.
 
[[File:Grantha Halant.svg|200px]]
 
Each letter below includes the inherent vowel:


[[File:Grantha Consonants.svg|300px]]
{|class="wikitable letters-teal"
 
|+ Consonants
For other vowels [[diacritic]]s are used:
|-
 
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕|iso=ka}}
[[File:Grantha Matras.svg|400px]]
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌖|iso=kha}}
 
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌗|iso=ga}}
Sometimes [[typographical ligature|ligatures]] of consonants with vowel [[diacritic]]s may be found, e.g.:
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌘|iso=gha}}
 
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌙|iso=ṅa}}
[[File:Grantha VowelLig.svg|300px]]
|
 
|
There are also a few special consonant forms with Virāma:
|
 
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌹|iso=ha}}
[[File:Grantha FinCons.svg|300px]]
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌚|iso=ca}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌛|iso=cha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌜|iso=ja}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌝|iso=jha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌞|iso=ña}}
| colspan=2 {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌯|iso=ya}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌶|iso=śa}}
|
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌟|iso=ṭa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌠|iso=ṭha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌡|iso=ḍa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌢|iso=ḍha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌣|iso=ṇa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰|iso=ra}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌳|iso=ḷa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌷|iso=ṣa}}
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤|iso=ta}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌥|iso=tha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌦|iso=da}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌧|iso=dha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨|iso=na}}
|colspan=2 {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌲|iso=la}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌸|iso=sa}}
|
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌪|iso=pa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌫|iso=pha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌬|iso=ba}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌭|iso=bha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌮|iso=ma}}
|colspan=2 {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌵|iso=va}}
|
|}


===Consonant clusters===
===Consonant clusters===
Grantha has two ways of representing consonant clusters. Sometimes, consonants in a cluster may form ligatures.
Grantha has two ways of representing consonant clusters. Sometimes, consonants in a cluster may form ligatures.


[[File:Grantha ConsLig.svg|400px]]
{|class="wikitable letters-teal"
|+ Consonant cluster ligatures
|- class=letters-lo
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑍍𑌷|iso=kṣa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑍍𑌤|iso=kta}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌙𑍍𑌗|iso=ṅga}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌜𑍍𑌞|iso=jña}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌞𑍍𑌚|iso=ñca}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌞𑍍𑌜|iso=ñja}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤𑍍𑌥|iso=ttha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤𑍍𑌰|iso=tra}}
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤𑍍𑌵|iso=tva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌦𑍍𑌧|iso=ddha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌦𑍍𑌵|iso=dva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌤|iso=nta}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌵|iso=ntva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌥|iso=ntha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌦|iso=nda}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌧|iso=ndha}}
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌨|iso=nna}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌨𑍍|iso=nn}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌵|iso=nva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌶𑍍𑌚|iso=śca}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌶𑍍𑌰|iso=śra}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌷𑍍𑌟|iso=ṣṭa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌹𑍍𑌮|iso=hma}}
|}


Ligatures are normally preferred whenever they exist. If no ligatures exist, "stacked" forms of consonants are written, just as in Kannada and Telugu, with the lowest member of the stack being the only "live" consonant and the other members all being vowel-less. Note that ligatures may be used as members of stacks also.
Ligatures are normally preferred whenever they exist. If no ligatures exist, "stacked" forms of consonants are written, just as in Kannada and Telugu, with the lowest member of the stack being the only "live" consonant and the other members all being vowel-less. Note that ligatures may be used as members of stacks also.


[[File:Grantha SubLig.svg|400px]]
{|class="wikitable letters-teal"
|+ Stacked consonants
|-class=letters-nadir
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤𑍍𑌤|iso=tta}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌵|iso=ttva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌵|iso=kṣva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑍍𑌷𑍍𑌣|iso=kṣṇa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌗𑍍𑌧𑍍𑌵|iso=gdhva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌸𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌵|iso=stva}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌸|iso=ntsa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌤𑍍𑌸𑍍𑌨|iso=tsna}}
|}


Special forms:
====A few special cases====


[[File:Grantha Ya.svg]] {{angle bracket|ya}} when final in a cluster, and [[File:Grantha r.svg]] {{angle bracket|ra}} when ''non-initial'' become [[File:Grantha yvat.svg]] and [[File:Grantha rvat.svg]] respectively. These are often called "ya-phalaa" and "ra-vattu" in other Indic scripts.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
*When {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌯}}}}, ''ya'' is the final consonant in a cluster, it is written as a ya-phala {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑍍𑌯}}}}.  
*When a cluster contains a non-initial {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌰}}}}, ''ra'', it becomes a ''ra-vattu'', {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑍍𑌰}}}}.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}}
*When a cluster begins with a {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌰}}}}, ''ra'', it becomes a ''reph'' and is shifted to the end of the cluster.
*If a cluster contains both a ''reph'' and a ''ya-phala'', the ''ya-phala'' is written last.


[[File:Grantha yrLig.svg|300px]]
{|class="wikitable letters-teal"
|+ Consonant clusters with {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑍍𑌯}}}}, {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑍍𑌰}}}}, and ''reph''.
|- class=letters-nadir
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑍍𑌯|iso=kya}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌖𑍍𑌯|iso=khya}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑍍𑌰|iso=kra}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌙𑍍𑌗𑍍𑌰|iso=ṅgra}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌙𑍍𑌗𑍍𑌰𑍍𑌯|iso=ṅgrya}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌦𑍍𑌧𑍍𑌯|iso=ddhya}}
|-
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰𑍍𑌕|iso=rka}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰𑍍𑌕𑍍𑌷|iso=rkṣa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰𑍍𑌣|iso=rṇa}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰𑍍𑌮|iso=rma}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌧|iso=rddha}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌰𑍍𑌦𑍍𑌵𑍍𑌯|iso=rdvya}}
|}


[[File:Grantha r.svg]] {{angle bracket|ra}} as initial component of a cluster becomes [[File:Grantha reph.svg]](called Reph as in other Indic scripts) and is shifted to the end of the cluster but placed before any "ya-phalaa".
===Vowels and syllables===
Grantha includes five long vowels, five short vowels, two vocalic consonants, ṛ and ḷ which are treated as vowels and may be short or long, and two part-vowels, ''anusvara'' {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|◌𑌂}}}} ṁ and ''visarga'', {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|◌𑌃}}}} ḥ. Independent vowel letters are used for word-initial vowels. Otherwise, vowels, vocalics, and part-vowels are written as diacritics attached to consonants. Each consonant in Grantha includes an inherent vowel ''a'', so the letter {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕}}}}, for example, is pronounced ka. Adding a vowel diacritic modifies the vowel sound, so {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕}}}} plus the diacritic {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌓}}}}, gives the syllable {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕𑍋}}}}, ''ko''. The absence of a vowel is marked with a [[virāma]] {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|◌𑍍}}}}, for example, {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕}}}} {{Transliteration|Gran|ISO|ka}} plus {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|◌𑍍}}}} creates an isolated consonant {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕𑍍}}}} ''k''.


[[File:Grantha RephLig.svg|300px]]
{| class="wikitable letters-teal"
|+ Short vowels, vocalics, half vowels, diacritics, and examples with {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌕}}}}, ka.
|-
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=a|ch=𑌅}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=i|ch=𑌇}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=u|ch=𑌉}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ṛ|ch=𑌋}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ḷ|ch=𑌌}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=e|ch=𑌏}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=o|ch=𑌓}}
| {{letter|ch=◌|note={{noteTag|name=virama|group=vowels|The ''virama'' has no independent form because it is not a vowel. It is a diacritic that ''suppresses'' a letter's inherent vowel, leaving an isolated consonant.}}}}
| {{letter|ch=◌|note={{noteTag|name=anusvara|group=vowels|The ''anusvara'' and ''visarga'' have no independent forms because they can only modify a syllable's vowel.}}}}
| {{letter|ch=◌|note={{noteTag|name=anusvara|group=vowels}}}}
|-
| {{letter|ch=◌|note={{noteTag|name=a|group=vowels|The vowel ''a'' has no corresponding diacritic since every consonant carries an inherent ''a''.}}}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑌿}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍁}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍃}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍢}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍇}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍋}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍍}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌂|iso=ṁ}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌃|iso=ḥ}}
|-
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ka|ch=𑌕}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ki|ch=𑌕𑌿}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ku|ch=𑌕𑍁}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=kṛ|ch=𑌕𑍃}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=kḷ|ch=𑌕𑍢}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ke|ch=𑌕𑍇}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ko|ch=𑌕𑍋}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=k|ch=𑌕𑍍}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑌂|iso=kaṁ}}
|{{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=𑌕𑌃|iso=kaḥ}}
|}
{{noteFoot|group=vowels}}
{| class="wikitable letters-teal"
|+ Long vowels, their diacritics, and examples with {{angbr|{{Script|Gran|𑌮}}}}, ma.
|-
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ā|ch=𑌆}}
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ī|ch=𑌈}}
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran||iso=ū|ch=𑌊}}
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ṝ|ch=𑍠}}
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ḹ|ch=𑍡}}
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ai|ch=𑌐}}
! scope=col {!} {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=au|ch=𑌔}}
|- class=letters-lo
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑌾}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍀}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍂}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍄}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍣}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍈}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|ch=◌𑍌}}
|- class=letters-lo
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=mā|ch=𑌮𑌾}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=mī|ch=𑌮𑍀}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran||iso=mū|ch=𑌮𑍂}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=mṝ|ch=𑌮𑍄}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=mḹ|ch=𑌮𑍣}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=mai|ch=𑌮𑍈}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=mau|ch=𑌮𑍌}}
|}


===Numerals===
There are a few [[typographical ligature|ligatures]] of consonants with vowel [[diacritic]]s and of consonants with ''virāma''.
[[File:Grantha Numbers.svg|400px]]


Below is an image of a palm leaf manuscript with Sanskrit written in Grantha script:<br />
{| class="wikitable letters-teal"
[[File:Tamil-Palm-1 (cropped).JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|A manuscript page]]
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ṭi|tops=𑌟+ ◌𑌿|ch=𑌟𑌿}}
[[File:1863 CE palm leaf manuscript, Jaiminiya Aranyaka Gana, Samaveda (unidentified layer of texts), Sanskrit, Southern Grantha script, Malayali scribe Kecavan, sample ii.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|A Vedic text's palm leaf manuscript (''[[Samaveda]]'') in Grantha script]]
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ṭī|tops=𑌟+ ◌𑍀|ch=𑌟𑍀}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ḷī|tops=𑌳+ ◌𑍀|ch=𑌳𑍀}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=ṭ|tops=𑌟 + ◌𑍍|ch=𑌟𑍍}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=t|tops=𑌤 + ◌𑍍|ch=𑌤𑍍}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=n|tops=𑌨+ ◌𑍍|ch=𑌨𑍍}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|iso=m|tops=𑌮 + ◌𑍍|ch=𑌮𑍍}}
|}


===Text samples===
===Numerals===
[[Kālidāsa]]'s Kumārasambhavam:
{| class="wikitable letters-teal"
 
|-
: [[File:Grantha Kalidasa Kumarasambhavam.svg|600px]]
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=0|ch=௦}}
 
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=1|ch=௧}}  
Transliterated into Latin ([[ISO 15919]]),
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=2|ch=௨}}  
: {{IAST|astyuttarasyāṁ diśi devatātmā himālayo nāma nagādhirājaḥ.}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=3|ch=௩}}  
: {{IAST|pūrvāparau toyanidhī vigāhya sthitaḥ pr̥thivyā iva mānadaṇḍaḥ.}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=4|ch=௪}}  
 
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=5|ch=௫}}
Transliterated into [[Devanāgarī]] script,
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=6|ch=௬}}
: {{script|Deva|अस्त्युत्तरस्यां दिशि देवतात्मा हिमालयो नाम नगाधिराजः।}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=7|ch=௭}}
: {{script|Deva|पूर्वापरौ तोयनिधी विगाह्य स्थितः पृथिव्या इव मानदण्डः॥}}
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=8|ch=௮}}  
 
| {{letter|l=ta|s=Gran|top=9|ch=௯}}  
==Comparison with other South Indian scripts==
|}
===Vowel signs===
[[File:Tamil-Palm-1 (cropped).JPG|thumb|upright=1.4|A palm leaf manuscript in Sanskrit written in Grantha script.]]
Grantha script vowel comparison with Malayalam, Tamil, Sinhala]:<br>
[[File:1863 CE palm leaf manuscript, Jaiminiya Aranyaka Gana, Samaveda (unidentified layer of texts), Sanskrit, Southern Grantha script, Malayali scribe Kecavan, sample ii.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|A Grantha script on palm leaf copy of the [[Samaveda]], a Sanskrit Vedic text.]]
[[File:Grantha VowelComp modified.gif|400px]]
 
Note: As in Devanāgarī {{angle bracket|e}} and {{angle bracket|o}} in Grantha stand for [eː] and [oː]. Originally also [[malayalam script|Malayāḷam]] and [[tamil script|Tamiḻ]] scripts did not distinguish long and short {{angle bracket|e}} and {{angle bracket|o}}, though both languages have the phonemes /e/ /eː/ and /o/ /oː/. The addition of extra signs for /eː/ and /oː/ is attributed to the Italian missionary  [[Constanzo Beschi]] (1680–1774), who is also known as ''Vīramāmunivar{{Citation needed|date=February 2023}}.''


===Consonant signs===
===Sample text===
[[File:Grantha ConsComp.gif|400px]]
;Sanskrit in Grantha Script
{{lang|sa|{{Script|Gran|𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇 𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌵𑌾𑌃 𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌤𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌃 𑌸𑌮𑍁𑌤𑍍𑌪𑌨𑍍𑌨𑌾𑌃 𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌤𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍇 𑌅𑌪𑌿 𑌚, 𑌗𑍌𑌰𑌵𑌦𑍃𑌶𑌾 𑌅𑌧𑌿𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌦𑍃𑌶𑌾 𑌚 𑌸𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌃 𑌏𑌵 𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌤𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍇। 𑌏𑌤𑍇 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇 𑌚𑍇𑌤𑌨𑌾-𑌤𑌰𑍍𑌕-𑌶𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌿𑌭𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌂 𑌸𑍁𑌸𑌮𑍍𑌪𑌨𑍍𑌨𑌾𑌃 𑌸𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌿। 𑌅𑌪𑌿 𑌚, 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌽𑌪𑌿 𑌬𑌨𑍍𑌧𑍁𑌤𑍍𑌵-𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌨𑌯𑌾 𑌪𑌰𑌸𑍍𑌪𑌰𑌂 𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌵𑌹𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍁।}}}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Sanskrit (Grantha) |url=http://efele.net/udhr/d/udhr_san_gran.html |website=UDHR in XML Project |access-date=27 May 2024}}</ref>
;Latin script transliteration
{{lang|sa|sarve mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartante api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ eva vartante. ete sarve cetanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. api ca, sarve´pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Grantha alphabet for Sanskrit |url=https://www.omniglot.com/writing/grantha.htm |website=www.omniglot.com |access-date=27 May 2024 |ref=omni}}</ref>
;English
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]])


The letters {{lang|ta|ழ ற ன}} and the corresponding sounds occur only in [[Dravidian languages]].
==Comparison with other South Indian  and Sri Lankan scripts==
 
{{plain row headers}}
Another table that compares the consonants ka , kha, ga , gha, ṅa with other Southern Indic scripts such as Grantha, [[Tigalari script|Tigalari]], [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]], [[Kannada]] and [[Sinhala script|Sinhala]].
{| class="wikitable plain-row-headers"
 
|+ Comparison of some Grantha letters with [[Malayalam script|Malayalam]], [[Sinhalese script|Sinhalese]], and [[Tamil script|Tamil]]
[[File:Tigalari script comparison chart..jpg|400px]]
|- class="letters-teal"
! scope="row" |Grantha
|{{letter|ch=𑌕|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ka}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌙|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ṅa}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌚|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ca}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌞|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ña}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌟|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ṭa}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌣|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ṇa}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌤|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ta}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌨|l=ta|s=Gran|top=na}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌪|l=ta|s=Gran|top=pa}}
|{{letter|ch=𑌮|l=ta|s=Gran|top=ma}}
|- class="letters-green"
! scope="row" |Malayalam
|{{letter|ch=ക|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ങ|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ച|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ഞ|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ട|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ണ|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ത|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=ന|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=പ|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|{{letter|ch=മ|l=ml|s=Mlym}}
|- class="letters-orange"
! scope="row" |Sinhalese
|{{letter|ch=ක|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ඞ|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ච|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ඤ|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ට|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ණ|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ත|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=න|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ප|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|{{letter|ch=ම|l=si|s=Sinh}}
|-
! scope="row" |Tamil
|{{letter|ch=க|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ங|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ச|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ஞ|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ட|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ண|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=த|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ந|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ப|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|{{letter|ch=ம|l=ta|s=Taml}}
|}


==Unicode==
==Unicode==
Line 152: Line 357:
==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==See also==
*[[Malayalam script]]
*[[Pallava script]]
*[[Tamil script]]
*[[Tigalari script]]
*[[Vatteluttu script]]


==References==
==References==
Line 165: Line 363:


==External links==
==External links==
 
{{Commons category |Grantha script}}
* [http://www.ancientscripts.com/grantha.html Quick facts about Grantha at AncientScripts.com]
* [http://www.ancientscripts.com/grantha.html Quick facts about Grantha at AncientScripts.com]
* [http://www.omniglot.com/writing/grantha.htm Article at Omniglot]
* [http://www.omniglot.com/writing/grantha.htm Article at Omniglot]

Latest revision as of 01:26, 20 February 2026


Template:Infobox Writing system

Brahmic scripts
The Brahmic script and its descendants
Northern Brahmic
Southern Brahmic

The Grantha script (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.; Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a classical South Indian Brahmic script, found particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Originating from the Pallava script,[1] the Grantha script is related to Tamil and Vatteluttu scripts. The modern Malayalam script of Kerala is a direct descendant of the Grantha script.[2] The Southeast Asian and Indonesian scripts such as Thai and Javanese respectively, as well as South Asian and Sri Lankan scripts such as Tigalari[3] and Sinhalese scripts respectively, are derived or closely related to Grantha through the early Pallava script.[4][5][6] The Pallava script or Pallava Grantha emerged in the 4th century CE and was used until the 7th century CE, in India.[7][8] This early Grantha script was used to write Sanskrit texts, inscriptions on copper plates and stones of Hindu temples and monasteries.[9][2] It was also used for classical Manipravalam – a language that is a blend of Sanskrit and Tamil.[10] From it evolved Middle Grantha by the 7th century, and Transitional Grantha by about the 8th century, which remained in use until about the 14th century. Modern Grantha has been in use since the 14th century and into the modern era, to write classical texts in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages.[9][2] It is also used to chant hymns[clarification needed] and in traditional Vedic schools.[11]

The Tamil purist movement of the colonial era sought to purge the Grantha script from use and use the Tamil script exclusively. According to Kailasapathy, this was a part of Tamil nationalism and amounted to regional ethnic chauvinism.[12]

History[edit | edit source]

In Sanskrit, grantha is literally 'a knot'.[13] It is a word that was used for books, and the script used to write them. This stems from the practice of binding inscribed palm leaves using a length of thread held by knots. Grantha was widely used to write Sanskrit in the Tamil-speaking parts of South Asia from about the 5th century CE into modern times.[9][2]

A Chera era Grantha inscription.

The Grantha script was also historically used for writing Manipravalam, a blend of Tamil and Sanskrit which was used in the exegesis of Manipravalam texts. This evolved into a fairly complex writing system which required that Tamil words be written in the Tamil script and Sanskrit words be written in the Grantha script. By the 15th century, this had evolved to the point that both scripts would be used within the same word – if the root was derived from Sanskrit it would be written in the Grantha script, but any Tamil suffixes which were added to it would be written using the Tamil script. This system of writing went out of use when Manipravalam declined in popularity, but it was customary to use the same convention in printed editions of texts originally written in Manipravalam until the middle of the 20th century.[citation needed]

In modern times, the Tamil-Grantha script is used in religious contexts by Tamil-speaking Hindus. For example, they use the script to write a child's name for the first time during the naming ceremony, for the Sanskrit portion of traditional wedding cards, and for announcements of a person's last rites. It is also used in many religious almanacs to print traditional formulaic summaries of the coming year.[citation needed]

8th century Velvikudi grant inscription in the Grantha script (Sanskrit language).

Types of Grantha[edit | edit source]

Grantha inscription at Bṛhadīśvara Temple, India

Pallava Grantha[edit | edit source]

Main article: Pallava script

An archaic and ornamental variety of Grantha is sometimes referred to as Pallava Grantha. It was used by the Pallava in some inscriptions from the 4th century CE[7] to the 7th century CE, in India.[8] Examples are the Mamallapuram Tiruchirapalli Rock Cut Cave Inscriptions and Kailasantha Inscription.[citation needed]

Middle Grantha[edit | edit source]

7th-century inscription in Grantha script at the Mandagapattu Hindu temple

Middle Grantha first appeared in the Kuram copper plates, dating from around 675 CE, and was used until the end of the 8th century CE.[9][8]

Transitional Grantha[edit | edit source]

Transitional Grantha is traceable from the 8th or 9th century CE, until around the 14th century CE. The Tulu-Malayalam script is derivative of Transitional Grantha dating to the 8th or 9th century CE, which later split into two distinct scripts – Tigalari and Malayalam.[9][8]

Modern Grantha[edit | edit source]

Grantha in the present form dates from the 14th century CE. The oldest modern manuscript has been dated to the end of the 16th century CE. Two varieties are found in modern era Grantha texts: the 'Brahmanic' or square form used by Hindus, and the 'Jain' or round form used by Jains.[9][8]

Modern Grantha[edit | edit source]

The Grantha script has evolved over time, and shares similarities with the modern Tamil Script.[3]

Consonants[edit | edit source]

As in other Brahmic scripts Grantha consonant signs have an inherent vowel, typically corresponding to /a/, so, for example, the letter ⟨𑌕⟩ is pronounced /ka/.

Consonants
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter colspan=2 {!} Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter colspan=2 {!} Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter colspan=2 {!} Template:Letter

Consonant clusters[edit | edit source]

Grantha has two ways of representing consonant clusters. Sometimes, consonants in a cluster may form ligatures.

Consonant cluster ligatures
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter

Ligatures are normally preferred whenever they exist. If no ligatures exist, "stacked" forms of consonants are written, just as in Kannada and Telugu, with the lowest member of the stack being the only "live" consonant and the other members all being vowel-less. Note that ligatures may be used as members of stacks also.

Stacked consonants
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter

A few special cases[edit | edit source]

  • When ⟨𑌯⟩, ya is the final consonant in a cluster, it is written as a ya-phala ⟨𑍍𑌯⟩.
  • When a cluster contains a non-initial ⟨𑌰⟩, ra, it becomes a ra-vattu, ⟨𑍍𑌰⟩.[citation needed]
  • When a cluster begins with a ⟨𑌰⟩, ra, it becomes a reph and is shifted to the end of the cluster.
  • If a cluster contains both a reph and a ya-phala, the ya-phala is written last.
Consonant clusters with ⟨𑍍𑌯⟩, ⟨𑍍𑌰⟩, and reph.
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter

Vowels and syllables[edit | edit source]

Grantha includes five long vowels, five short vowels, two vocalic consonants, ṛ and ḷ which are treated as vowels and may be short or long, and two part-vowels, anusvara ⟨◌𑌂⟩ ṁ and visarga, ⟨◌𑌃⟩ ḥ. Independent vowel letters are used for word-initial vowels. Otherwise, vowels, vocalics, and part-vowels are written as diacritics attached to consonants. Each consonant in Grantha includes an inherent vowel a, so the letter ⟨𑌕⟩, for example, is pronounced ka. Adding a vowel diacritic modifies the vowel sound, so ⟨𑌕⟩ plus the diacritic ⟨𑌓⟩, gives the syllable ⟨𑌕𑍋⟩, ko. The absence of a vowel is marked with a virāma ⟨◌𑍍⟩, for example, ⟨𑌕⟩ ka plus ⟨◌𑍍⟩ creates an isolated consonant ⟨𑌕𑍍⟩ k.

Short vowels, vocalics, half vowels, diacritics, and examples with ⟨𑌕⟩, ka.
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Long vowels, their diacritics, and examples with ⟨𑌮⟩, ma.
scope=col {!} Template:Letter scope=col {!} Template:Letter scope=col {!} Template:Letter scope=col {!} Template:Letter scope=col {!} Template:Letter scope=col {!} Template:Letter scope=col {!} Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter

There are a few ligatures of consonants with vowel diacritics and of consonants with virāma.

Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter

Numerals[edit | edit source]

Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
A palm leaf manuscript in Sanskrit written in Grantha script.
A Grantha script on palm leaf copy of the Samaveda, a Sanskrit Vedic text.

Sample text[edit | edit source]

Sanskrit in Grantha Script

𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇 𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌵𑌾𑌃 𑌸𑍍𑌵𑌤𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍍𑌰𑌾𑌃 𑌸𑌮𑍁𑌤𑍍𑌪𑌨𑍍𑌨𑌾𑌃 𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌤𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍇 𑌅𑌪𑌿 𑌚, 𑌗𑍌𑌰𑌵𑌦𑍃𑌶𑌾 𑌅𑌧𑌿𑌕𑌾𑌰𑌦𑍃𑌶𑌾 𑌚 𑌸𑌮𑌾𑌨𑌾𑌃 𑌏𑌵 𑌵𑌰𑍍𑌤𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍇। 𑌏𑌤𑍇 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇 𑌚𑍇𑌤𑌨𑌾-𑌤𑌰𑍍𑌕-𑌶𑌕𑍍𑌤𑌿𑌭𑍍𑌯𑌾𑌂 𑌸𑍁𑌸𑌮𑍍𑌪𑌨𑍍𑌨𑌾𑌃 𑌸𑌨𑍍𑌤𑌿। 𑌅𑌪𑌿 𑌚, 𑌸𑌰𑍍𑌵𑍇𑌽𑌪𑌿 𑌬𑌨𑍍𑌧𑍁𑌤𑍍𑌵-𑌭𑌾𑌵𑌨𑌯𑌾 𑌪𑌰𑌸𑍍𑌪𑌰𑌂 𑌵𑍍𑌯𑌵𑌹𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌤𑍁।[14]

Latin script transliteration

sarve mānavāḥ svatantrāḥ samutpannāḥ vartante api ca, gauravadr̥śā adhikāradr̥śā ca samānāḥ eva vartante. ete sarve cetanā-tarka-śaktibhyāṁ susampannāḥ santi. api ca, sarve´pi bandhutva-bhāvanayā parasparaṁ vyavaharantu.[15]

English

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Comparison with other South Indian and Sri Lankan scripts[edit | edit source]

Template:Plain row headers

Comparison of some Grantha letters with Malayalam, Sinhalese, and Tamil
Grantha Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Malayalam Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Sinhalese Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter
Tamil Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter Template:Letter

Unicode[edit | edit source]

Main article: Grantha (Unicode block)

Grantha script was added to the Unicode Standard in June 2014 with the release of version 7.0. The Unicode block for Grantha is U+11300–U+1137F: Template:Unicode chart Grantha

Unification with Tamil[edit | edit source]

Some proposed to reunify Grantha and Tamil;[16][17] however, the proposal triggered discontent by some.[18][19] Considering the sensitivity involved, it was determined that the two scripts should not be unified, except for the numerals.[20]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Mirza, Amna; Gottardo, Alexandra (2019). "Learning to Read in Their Heritage Language: Hindi-English Speaking Children Reading Two Different Orthographies". Handbook of Literacy in Akshara Orthography. Springer International Publishing. pp. 329–351. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-05977-4_17. ISBN 978-3-030-05977-4. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Richard Salomon (1998). Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the other Indo-Aryan Languages. Oxford University Press. pp. 40–42. ISBN 978-0-19-535666-3.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Grantha alphabet for Sanskrit". www.omniglot.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  4. ↑ J. G. de Casparis (1975). Indonesian Palaeography: A History of Writing in Indonesia from the Beginnings to C. A.D. 1500. BRILL Academic. pp. 12–17. ISBN 90-04-04172-9.
  5. ↑ Patricia Herbert; Anthony Crothers Milner (1989). South-East Asia: Languages and Literatures : a Select Guide. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 127–129. ISBN 978-0-8248-1267-6.
  6. ↑ Pierre-Yves Manguin; A. Mani; Geoff Wade (2011). Early Interactions Between South and Southeast Asia: Reflections on Cross-cultural Exchange. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 283–285, 306–309. ISBN 978-981-4311-16-8.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Arlo, Guy (2014). "Early Indic Inscriptions of Southeast Asia". In guy, john (ed.). Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early South east Asia. Metropolitan Museum of Art. ISBN 9781588395245. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Diringer, David (1948). Alphabet a key to the history of mankind. p. 411.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Grantha alphabet (writing system) – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica.com. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  10. ↑ Giovanni Ciotti; Hang Lin (2016). Tracing Manuscripts in Time and Space through Paratexts. Walter De Gruyter. pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-3-11-047901-0.
  11. ↑ Singh, Upinder (1 January 2008). A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century. Pearson Education India. ISBN 9788131711200.
  12. ↑ K. Kailasapathy (1979), The Tamil Purist Movement: A Re-evaluation, Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No. 10, pp. 23-27
  13. ↑ Macdonell, Arthur Anthony (31 December 1997). A History of Sanskrit Literature. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 15. ISBN 978-81-208-0035-9. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Sanskrit (Grantha)". UDHR in XML Project. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  15. ↑ "Grantha alphabet for Sanskrit". www.omniglot.com. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  16. ↑ Sharma, Shriramana. (2010a). Proposal to encode characters for Extended Tamil.
  17. ↑ Sharma, Shriramana. (2010b). Follow-up to Extended Tamil proposal L2/10-256R.
  18. ↑ Eraiyarasan, B. (2011). Dr. B.Eraiyarasan’s comments on Tamil Unicode And Grantham proposals.
  19. ↑ Nalankilli, Thanjai. (2018). Attempts to "Pollute" Tamil Unicode with Grantha Characters. Tamil Tribune. Retrieved 13 May 2019 from https://web.archive.org/web/20200306030655/http://www.tamiltribune.com/18/1201.html
  20. ↑ Government of India. (2010). Unicode Standard for Grantha Script.

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Kawi family

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grantha_script&oldid=463804"
Discover more