GRANTHA
The Grantha script also known as Granthalipi hails from Southern India, found particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The Saunskrut texts in Tamil Nadu are written in this script. The word Grantha in Saunskrut refers to a literary work. Grantha alphabet descended from the Brahmi alphabet and its origins date to 5th century AD. Evolved from the Pallava script and closely related to the Tamil and the Vatteluttu scripts. Tigalari and Sinhala scripts have descended from the Brahmi and Pallava scripts and thus in their appearance bear resemblance to the Grantha script.
The modern form of the Malayalam script native to Kerala has its roots in the Grantha script and considered a direct descendant of the same. Modern Grantha exists since the 14th century and used modern era, to write classical texts in Saunskrut and Dravidian languages.The Pallava script or Pallava Grantha, was developed in the 4th century CE and was used until the 7th century CE, in India to write Saunskrut texts and can be seen in inscriptions on copper plates and stones of Hindu temples and monasteries.
Grantha script may be classified as follows:
Pallava Grantha / Pallava script
We can see inscriptions from the 4th century CE to the 7th century CE, in India written in this script.
Middle Grantha
The earliest specimens of Middle Grantha can be seen in the Kuram copper plates, dating around 675 CE.
It was in use till the end of the 8th century CE.
Transitional Grantha
The timeline of Transitional Grantha is from the 8th or 9th century CE till around the 14th century CE.
Modern Grantha
The prevalent form of Modern Grantha emerged in the 14th century CE while the earliest modern manuscript found is from the end of the 16th century CE.
