Ancient malayalam alphabets

In the early centuries vattezhuthu, kolezhuthu and malayanma were the alphabetic systems popular in kerala. According to Dr. L.A.Ravivarma, Brahmi script was the origin of all the three systems.

Vattezhuthu
Named after the curvy nature of letters used in this system vattezhuthu was the most popular of the three systems. It was even popular during the 18th century and mainly used in the chera and pandya kingdoms.

Kolezhuthu
Derived from vattezhuthu and written using narayam on plam leaves. This script was mainly used in the cochin and malabar areas.

Malayanma
Another form of vattezhuthu comonly used in the southern part of thiruvananthapuram.

                                               

                                                 vattezhuthu

                                                      kolezhuthu

malayanma

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