Early Tamil Epigraphy: From the Earliest Times to the Sixth Century A.D. c25.s7.7

c25.s7.7

(3) Two general trends in the evolution of the letters are:
(a) reduction in height and equalisation of the arms of the letters, and
(b) conversion of angular and rectilinear letters and medial vowel signs into cursive shapes, which ultimately resulted in the emergence of Vaṭṭeḻuttu (lit., 'the rounded script'). This tendency, a peculiarly southern characteristic, may be traced to the practice of writing on palm leaves with iron stylus.