Essay:
Traditional writing system in Southern India — Palm Leaf Manuscripts.
By D.Udaya Kumar, G.V.Sreekumar, U. A. Athvankar

Palm leaf manuscript is one of the oldest medium of writing in India especially in Southern India. It is also the major source for writing and painting in South and Southeast Asian countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia (Agrawal 1984:24). Though palm leaf writing was practiced since the ancient times its precise origin is still unclear. Agrawal ascertains,

“It is difficult to say exactly when the palm-leaf first began to be used for writing. There is no extant of palm-leaf manuscripts in India before the 10th century. However, the palm-leaf was definitely in use much earlier than this since it is mentioned as a writing material in several literary works and its visual representation can be seen in several sculptures and monuments. It is almost certain that the earlier manuscripts have been completely destroyed owing to the tropical climate of the region”.

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