We all know that nearly all scripts have evolved over long periods of time, but I was not aware that there are many scripts across the world that have changed at least once every century. The Tamil script (Dravidian language for South India), is one such script that has changed every century for the last 2000 years. The older scripts are way different to what we read today.
I found this fact out while exploring the Brihadeeshwara Temple at Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India. While explaining the inscriptions on the temple walls, my temple guide showed us this piece of paper and drew similes between current Tamil scripts and the then Tamil Script during the Chola era. I was so impressed by this piece of paper that I took its photograph for safekeeping and for ready reference. Hope this comes in handy to all those who are planning to explore the history of Tamil Nadu.
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I am happy to find that this has interested you.
ReplyDeletevery interesting... knew of this, but not in such detail.... and one of my biggest regrets is visiting the big temple early in the morning... the temple was empty, which was a plus, but there were no guides available :( and that is one wonderful temple which i need to go to, again .. and again!
ReplyDeleteYou should be able to find a guide even at 5:30 AM. All you need to do is ask the temple priest for the government guide's number. These guys walk in by 7:30 AM and if requested over the phone, they will come early. If I remember right, they charge Rs300 for the entire temple tour lasting about 2 hours.
ReplyDeleteOf course, Tamil literature and history interests me. These are my roots and I have grown listening to such stories.
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