Telugu-Kannada alphabet

Copper plate inscriptions in Telugu-Kannada script

Telugu split from Proto-Dravidian between 1500-1000 BC. So, Telugu became a distinct language by the time any literary activity began to appear in the Tamil land, along with Parji, Kolami, Nayaki and Gadaba languages. Between 1100 CE - 1400 CE Telugu script and Kannada script separated from Old-Kannada script (Halegannada script) or Kadamba script or Bhattiprolu Script. The Chalukyas influenced the modern form of Telugu script and its similarity with modern Kannada script.[1]

Old Kannada script is the continuation of Kadamba script, which used for writing Telugu and Kannada languages. Telugu and Kannada Scripts are strikingly similar. Old Kannada sript is also known as the Telugu-Kannada script.[2]

The Dravidian family includes about 73 languages including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. Indus valley civilization mostly of Dravidian, is now concentrated in South India. Kannada abugida was developed between the 5th and 7th centuries CE from Chalukya and Kadamba scripts descendants of Brahmi. Old Kannada script is about 1500 years old, developed into Modern Telugu and Modern Kannada scripts. The Telugu script is closely related to Kannada, earliest known inscriptions dates back to the 6th century CE, poetry begins to appear in the 11th century. New written standard emerged in Telugu during the second half of the 20th century.[3]

Brahmi -> Kadamba -> Old Kannada -> Telugu-Kannada scripts

History

During 4th to 7th centuries AD the Early Bādāmi Chālukyās and Early Banavasi Kadambās used early form of Telugu-Kannada script in inscriptions. The early Eastern Chalukyas and Salankayana who ruled the Telugu and Kannada speaking areas.[4]

Origins of Telugu-Kannada Script

Telugu and Kannada belongs to Dravidian family of languages in southern India, Saatavaahanas introduced the Brahmi to present day Telugu and Kannada speaking regions. Telugu and Kannada scripts are categories under Old Kannada script. Kannada became a literate language slightly ahead of Telugu language. Both Kannada and Telugu produced the poetry during the eighth century. The full-fledged literary works in Kannada produced in ninth century, two centuries before the works available in Telugu, the combined Telugu-Kannada script called as Old Kannada. Telugu writers wait till 11th century because of socio-political factors (royal patronage, influence of Buddhism and Jainism).[5]

Evolution and Development of Kannada-Telugu script

Inscriptions in Telugu-Kannada script

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Evolution of Telugu Character Graphs". Retrieved 2013-07-22.
  2. ↑ "Old Kannada". Retrieved 2013-08-28.
  3. ↑ "A sampler of the world’s writing systems" (PDF). J. Marshall Unger Department of East Asian Languages & Literatures -The Ohio State University. Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  4. ↑ "Epigraphical Studies in India - Sanskrit and Dravidian, Scripts used in India, Scripts Abroad". Retrieved 2013-09-06.
  5. ↑ "Origins of Telugu Script". Retrieved 2013-09-03.
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