A RARE TAMIL INSCRIPTION FROM CHINA
This Tamil Language inscription was found in China. It was found about 500 miles north of Canton, in a place called Chuan Chou.This is a port city. It was an important port city in the ancient times also. Normally, the Tamils used to sail to Ta Kua Pa in the west coast of Thailand.They would then take an overland journey across the Isthmus of Kra to other ports like Nakon SiTammarat or Songkla. These ports were on the east coast of Thailand.From there they would sail on to one of the ports of present day Vietnam. Then they would sail northwards to Canton.
If you look from top to bottom, you can see how the letters have changed over the years. Before, Tamil manuscripts were written on palm leaves, so the letters were more curved so the leaves wouldn’t rip, and with the onset of better writing mediums, the letters have become more defined. These palm (olai) manuscripts could last three or four centuries. Take a look at some of the old olai manuscripts below. Now you know why we have so many curves in our letters!
Tags: News, Palm Leaves, Tamil Scripts, Thirukural
