Introduction
Preserving cultural heritage through language and scripts has been an ongoing endeavor, especially for lesser-known languages like Tulu. One of the most significant efforts in this regard has been the inclusion of the Tulu-Tigalari script in the Unicode Standard. The process involves technical, linguistic, and historical complexities, requiring collaboration between various stakeholders. In this blog, I want to share our journey, progress in font development, and contributions to ensuring the digital representation of Tulu-Tigalari is as authentic as possible.
A Brief History of Tulu Script
Tulu, a language spoken primarily in the Tulunadu region of Karnataka and Kerala, has been written using the Kannada script in recent history, spanning under two centuries. However, the Tulu-Tigalari script, a lesser-known ancient script, was historically used for writing both Tulu and Sanskrit. Over time, this script fell out of use and was replaced with the Kannada script after the Basel Mission introduced the first printing press. Despite this transition, there has been a growing movement among Tuluvas to revive the Tulu script as the primary script, particularly with technological advancements making it possible to standardize and digitize such scripts through Unicode encoding. There have been several proposals over time, notably two: one under the guidance of Dr. U B Pavanaja and us, and another by Vaishnavi and Vinod. As of today, the proposal has been accepted by the Unicode Consortium. On the occasion of World Tulu Script Day, our team collectively believes it is appropriate to conclude that Tulu-Tigalari will be the Unicode standard for Tulu, without accepting any unscientific simplifications in the name of standardization.
The Importance of Unicode Inclusion
Unicode is the global standard for encoding characters from different languages and scripts, making them usable in the digital world. By adding Tulu-Tigalari to Unicode, we enable accurate digital representation across platforms, ensuring the language’s written heritage can be preserved and promoted. Without Unicode inclusion, it becomes difficult for the script to be used in digital documents, websites, or mobile applications, effectively limiting its reach in today’s digital world.
Tulu-Tigalari in Unicode Version 16
With the release of Unicode version 16, the Tulu-Tigalari script has officially been incorporated into the Unicode Standard, making it accessible across digital platforms. This inclusion marks a significant milestone in preserving the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Tulu-speaking community. While there have been efforts to introduce a new orthography called "Modern Tulu," we believe such changes are inorganic. The existing proposal is comprehensive and supports all forms of written Tulu accurately, without altering the traditional orthography.
Collaboration and Challenges
Our technical team — comprising myself, Prahlad, Nishchit, and Mahesh — has been working on font development for Tulu-Tigalari. However, recent developments, including diverging opinions and priorities within our original group (Unicode Committee, KTSA), have made us reconsider our direction. While some individuals were driven by personal motivations, our team has remained committed to the original purpose of preserving and promoting Tulu's linguistic heritage.
In this process, we will collaborate with independent researchers like Vaishnavi, Vinodh, and others who have provided valuable insights and suggestions for improving the Tulu-Tigalari Unicode proposal. Their feedback has allowed us to align our efforts with the traditional orthography, ensuring that the script remains accurate and historically valid.
Moving Forward: Open Source Fonts and Further Development
One key outcome of our efforts has been the development of fonts that use Latin Unicode, widely used in the Tulunadu region. These fonts will remain open source to ensure the community can access them freely and contribute to their continued improvement.
In future releases, we intend to release all fonts developed in our foundry — including Baravu, Mandara, Pazhantulu, Darage, Allige, etc. — under the Tulu-Tigalari Unicode standard. These fonts will provide users with a range of options for writing in Tulu while staying true to the traditional script.
One major challenge we've faced is the evolving orthography introduced by other groups, like KTSA, involved in the project. Their alterations to the original script have caused confusion, which we aim to address through collaboration with experts in typography, fonts, and orthography, while also acknowledging the immense contributions Dr. Ventaraja Puninchathaya has made to the Tulu script. This is our way of honoring his work today.
Vinodh has expressed interest in helping us correct errors introduced by KTSA, such as the misreading of certain characters. This collaboration will ensure that the fonts align more closely with the forms seen in traditional manuscripts. Harmonizing the new vowel signs with traditional forms and addressing inconsistencies in the script’s digital behavior will be critical milestones in this project.
Transliteration Tools for Migration
In addition to font development, our team will also be working on transliteration tools. These tools will help users migrate from other scripts, such as Kannada, to the Tulu-Tigalari script with ease. This is especially important for those who have been writing Tulu in the Kannada script for generations, as it will make the transition smoother while preserving linguistic integrity.
The Path Ahead
The next steps in our journey involve continuing to develop fonts that accurately represent Tulu-Tigalari, adding necessary characters to the existing Unicode proposal, and promoting its adoption. We believe that stabilizing the script’s digital representation is the priority, and once achieved, we can consider further improvements as needed.
This effort is not just about technology; it's about cultural preservation. Our goal is to provide Tulu speakers with the tools they need to write and communicate in their language, both digitally and in print. As we work together with linguists, researchers, and the broader community, we hope to bring the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Tulu into the modern world.
Conclusion
The journey to standardize Tulu-Tigalari in Unicode and develop fonts that respect the script’s historical roots has been challenging but rewarding. Through collaboration and dedication, we are making progress that will ensure the Tulu language and its script remain accessible in the digital age. We are excited about the road ahead and invite everyone interested in linguistic preservation to join us in this effort.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this important work!
Mokeda,
Team Deepak, Prahlad, Nischith, Mahesh, Nishant & Prithvi
Reach out to us at baravutulufont@gmail.com.