Tamil Unicode Block
Tamil is an abugida script used primarily for writing the Tamil language, spoken in southern India and Sri Lanka, as well as by diaspora communities worldwide. Its characters include vowels, consonants, and vowel diacritics that modify the inherent vowel sound of a consonant, along with special signs for numerals and punctuation. The script also features a distinct set of grantha characters, historically used for writing Sanskrit loanwords, and includes the Tamil sacred symbol, such as the revered "Om" sign. Originating from the ancient Brahmi script, Tamil has evolved over centuries into its current rounded forms, which are well suited for carving on palm leaves, and it remains a vital medium for classical literature, modern media, and religious texts. Notably, the script operates without separate upper and lower case letters, and its writing system reflects a rich phonological system that distinguishes between long and short vowels.