Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c25.s13.9

c25.s13.9

*-o/-ō*: The points of attachment of the twin strokes of the medial *-o/-ō* sign at either side of the vertical vary at random; in some cases, the left stroke is at a lower level (Chart 6: *-o /-ō*: *1*, *2*) and in others, the right stroke is lower (ibid. *9*, *13*). In Late Tamil-Brāhmī, the twin strokes are joined together in a continuous horizontal line at the top of the consonantal character (ibid. *62*). The left stroke becomes occasionally cursive (ibid. *69*, *73*). In Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu, the right stroke becomes attached to the middle of the consonantal character, especially *k* (ibid. *117*, *121*) as in the case of the medial *-ā* stroke in this period. This is also a diagnostic feature which distinguishes Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu from Late Tamil-Brāhmī. The Early Vaṭṭeḻuttu at Pulankurichi, however, retains the Late Tamil-Brāhmī forms (Chart 8: *ko* and *to* ).