The History and Revival of the Tulu Script:
The Tulu language is one of the five major Dravidian languages, boasting a documented history spanning 2,500 years. Despite this rich heritage, it is a significant historical tragedy that the Tulu language and culture have not yet received formal recognition in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Historical Origins:
Following independence, as the modern education system was adopted, the ancient Tulu script remained largely overlooked. However, research has since revealed that the original Brahmi lipi served as the foundation for the Tulu script approximately 1,400 years ago.
In 2001, Dr. Venkataraja Puninchittaya championed the use of the Tulu script, demonstrating that a vast body of literature already existed in this form. Studies uncovered fifty-seven (57) specific poems and texts written entirely in the Tulu script. Under the guidance of Sri Veerendra Heggade, the Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, approximately 2,000 ancient books and manuscripts have been identified, read, and preserved.
Epigraphic and Literary Evidence:
Stone inscriptions (Kallabaravu) written in the Tulu script date back to the reign of the Alupa kings. These records encompass:
(i) Vedic mantras and daily hymns.
(ii) Traditional healing and "Baidyar" magic.
(iii) Astrology and historical epics.
(iv) Administrative records and daily accounts.
These thousands of documents provide undeniable proof that the Tulu script was once used ubiquitously across Tulunad
The Shift to Kannada Script:
In the late 19th century, Christian missionaries from the Basel Mission introduced modern printing to India. At the time, preparing unique printing plates for every Tulu character was a complex and resource-intensive task. Since most Tulu scholars were already proficient in Kannada, the Basel Mission chose to print Tulu literature using the Kannada script. This logistical decision led to the original Tulu script fading from public memory for over a century.
Modern Standardization and Unicode:
The revival began in earnest in 2001 with the work of Shri Puninchittaya. Over time, scholars realized that the script needed standardization for modern use. Under the leadership of Shri Sitaram Kulal (former President of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy) in 2007, experts worked to unify the various regional styles of Tulu calligraphy into a singular, cohesive form.
Further refinements were led by scholars such as Shri Radhakrishna Bellur, Dr. S.R. Vighnaraj, Shri S.A. Krishnayya, and Dr. Padekallu Vishnubhat. During the presidency of Shri Dayananda Kattalsar (2019), the Academy collaborated with the Kerala Tulu Academy to publish the definitive guidebook, "Tulu Lipi."
Digital Recognition and Education:
A significant milestone was achieved through the tireless efforts of Dr. Akash Raj Jain, who spearheaded the Unicode integration project. With a government investment of over ₹10 lakh and technical support from the youth organization Jai Tulunad (R), the script was digitized.
To ensure the script's survival, Jai Tulunad has:
(i) Taught the script to over 30,000 people through free online courses.
(ii) Trained 250 certified teachers.
(iii) Implemented a formal certification system for learners.
Legislative Success:
The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy submitted the standardized script to the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in Mysore. Following government approval, the state officially ordered the conversion of the Tulu script to Unicode, granting it legislative recognition. This achievement was made possible through the support of leaders like Shri B.S. Yediyurappa, Shri Belur Sudarshan, and Shri Arvind Limbavali.
Major Historical Works (Manuscripts):
These are the "Classics" of Tulu literature. Most were rediscovered in the 20th century by scholars like Dr. Venkataraja Puninchathaya.
Historical Tulu manuscripts, primarily on palm leaves, date back to around 1200 AD and preserve early literature in the Tulu language spoken in coastal Karnataka and northern Kerala. These works, often in Tulu script, include translations of Sanskrit epics and religious texts by local poets and scholars.
(i) Tulu Devi Mahatme: Oldest known Tulu work, a translation of Sanskrit's Durga Saptashati, discovered on palm leaves in Puttur by Dr. Venkataraja Puninchittaya; dated to ~1200 AD
(ii) Tulu Mahabharato: 15th-century epic poem by Arunabda from Kodavoor, Udupi; palm leaf version found in Mudnoor village, Puttur, with 1757 stanzas.
(iii) Sarvamoola Grantha: 700-year-old palm leaf set at Palimaru Math, Udupi; contains 39 works of Madhvacharya dictated in Sanskrit but transcribed in Tulu script by disciple Hrishikesha Tirtha (~13th century).
(iv) Tulu Karna Parva: Focuses on Karna's defeat in Mahabharata, composed by Vijayanagara king Immadi Harihara (~1385 AD).
(v) Tulu ramayana: A prominent Tulu Ramayana verse work (taḍavāle grantha) was found in Vitla Aramane, Bantwal taluk, and is now preserved at the Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Sanskriti Sanshodhana Pratishtana. Dr. S. R. Vighnaraj translated a Tulu-Tigalari manuscript of the Ramayana epic in his book Tulu Ramayana.
(vi) Tulu Kaveri: kaveri is a 17th-century epic poem in the Tulu language, composed in the Tigalari script (old Tulu script) and preserved in palm-leaf manuscripts across Tulu Nadu.
Historical Tulu poets wrote in the old Tuluscript
(i) Vishnu Tunga : Vishnu Tunga authored Sri Bhagavato around 1626-1636 AD, the earliest known independent Tulu epic poem. From Kasaragod region, he used classical Tulu for Vedic recitations, with his almanac confirming the
(ii) Arunabja: Arunabja (ca. 1657 AD) from Kodavur near Udupi wrote Tulu Mahabharato, a partial translation excluding Sambhava Parva. He referenced prior poets like Guddetharaya (Rukmini Swayamvara) and an elder for Ekaadashupavasantha Kavyo.
(iii) Hariappa: Hariappa, identified as Vijayanagara king Harihara II, composed Tulu Karnaparva around 1380 AD.He noted earlier Tulu classics predating his work.
Tulu manuscripts in old Tulu script mention earlier poets like Guddetharaya and an unnamed elder poet. Specific Mentions Arunabja (1657 AD), in his Tulu Mahabharato, references Guddetharaya for Rukmini Swayamvara and an elder poet for Ekaadashupavasantha Kavyo, indicating a pre-existing Tulu poetic tradition.