20-11-2019

To.
Sri. Rajpal Singh
Asst. Professor (BDO I/c)
National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities
116, Rajpur Road
Dehradun - 248001

Sir,

Sub: Malayalam Braille – Recommendations taken in the meeting held on 25.03.2017 at

Gawahti – Suggestions for correction Reg.

We have examined the recommendations forwarded regarding Braille Script for Malayalam
language. In this regard, following corrections are submitted herewith for your approval.

1. Suggestion 1 stands with no change (The letter visargam dot 6 in Malayalam Braille with
Unicode value 0D03 may be removed from the Braille Malayalam alphabet since it is used in the
sighted script in Malayalam, except in the word DUKHAM. Presently this is written as DUkkham
(145, 136, 13, 3, 46, 56). It is resolved that this way of writing may be followed in the Braille
Malayalam too.
2. The letter (VOCALIC – L) – dot 5, 123 with UNICODE value 0D62 may be removed from the
Braille Malayalam since it is used in the reformed modern Malayalam Script (Orthography),
except the word KLptham – in the archaic text. Presently this word is written as kliptham (Dot 4,
13, 456, 24). The suggestion is Dot 5, 123 may be converted to 123, 24. (0D32, 0D46) (It is
applicable wherever lha (0D33) is added. Plha will be written as Dot 4, 1234, 123 (0D2A, 0D32).
3. Suggestion 3 stands without change. (It is recommended that the letter – VOCALIC RR (Dot 6,
1235 with UNICODE value 0D60, the letter – VOCALIC LL Dot 6, 123 with UNICODE value 0D63
may be removed since they are not used both in archaic Malayalam and modern Malayalam.
Earlier they were in the old alphabet (Aksharamala). Since, Malayalam Aksharamala is a
combination of Dravidian and Malayalam Script).
4. Suggestion 4 stands with no change. (n+p = dot 4, 1345 may be written in Malayalam Braille as
per the Malayalam UNICODE m=h for the consonant cluster mpa. It means Dot 4 may be
preceded by m. Now the conversion is: Dot 4, 1345 will become Dot 4, 134, (0D2E) 1234 (0D2A).
5. Thra Dot 4, 12345 may be written in Bharati Braille Malayalam as per the Malayalam UNICODE.
Th + ra. It means as per this suggestion: it becomes Dot 4, 2345 (0D24) 1235 (0D30)
6. The letter KSHA (Dot 12345) and jnha (156) may be treated as consonant cluster as per the
Malayalam script is concerned. Moreover these letters are not in the reformed modern
Malayalam alphabert as per basic scripts. (ksha – Dot 4, 13, 12346 and jnha – Dot 4, 245, 25)
7. Nka may be followed in Bharati Braille Malayalam as per the UNICODE Malayalam as well as
Malayalam Sighted Script, instead of nka. It means as per this suggestion: Dot 4, 1345 become
Dot 4, 346 (0D19) 13 (0D15).
8. A chillu represents pure consonants independently without the help of VIRAMA. Unlike a
consonant represented by an ordinary consonant letter, these consonants are never followed by
an inherent vowel. Keep in mind; Chillus in the Bharati Braille Malayalam may be revised. Dot 4
is followed by five chillu letters. But, in the sametime Dot 4 is also used to refer to germination.
It is recommended that dot 3 may be used for germination. It means Dot 4, 123 (il) (0D7D) and
Dot 4, 1235 (ir) (0D7C) and so on for five chillus. For writing spa Dot 234, Dot 3, Dot 1234 and for
writing ksha 13, Dot 3, Dot 12346 and for writing kka Dot 13, Dot 3, Dot 13.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

K. Sathyaseelan
Lecturer, Kerala Federation of the Blind TCTVH
Coordinator, Malayalam Braille Script.
Member, Malayalam Braille Contraction Committee under
NIVH

Copy to:
Sri.C.C.Kasimani
Braille Instructor
NIEPVD, Regional Centre
Chennai