The Tamil script has 12 vowels (uyireluttu "soul-letters"), 18 consonants (meyyeluttu "body-letters") and one character, the aytam ? , which is classified in Tamil grammar as being neither a consonant nor a vowel. The complete script, therefore, consists of the thirty-one letters in their independent form, and an additional 216 combinant letters representing a total 247 combinations (uyirmeyyeluttu) of a consonant and a vowel, a mute consonant, or a vowel alone. These combinant letters are formed by adding a vowel marker to the consonant. The Tamil script is written from left to right.

Consonants are called the 'body' (mei) letters. The consonants are classified into three categories: vallinam (hard consonants), mellinam (soft consonants, including all nasals), and idayinam (medium consonants).

Vowels are also called the 'life' (uyir) or 'soul' letters. Together with the consonants (which are called 'body' letters), they form compound, syllabic (abugida) letters that are called 'living' letters (uyirmei, i.e. letters that have both 'body' and 'soul').

The following table lists vowel (uyir or life) letters across the top and consonant (mei or body) letters along the side, the combination of which gives all Tamil compound (uyirmei) letters.

You can download the Tamil Alphabets on a pdf file by Clicking Here.

To contact Newcastle Tamil Sangam, please email ncthamilsangam@gmail.com