A Primer of Telugu Characters

The following presentation of the Telugu script gives all of the forms which are encountered in modern printed texts. In addition, many early variant forms found both in printing and in manuscript are also illustrated. The information concerning these earlier variants as well as information on early conventions governing the representation of Sanskrit in Telugu script has been drawn from two sources: Campbell, A.D. A Grammar of the Teloogoo Language (Madra, 1816); Brown, C.P. A Grammar of the Telugu Language. Second edition (Madras, 1857). The presentation which follows is organized thematically rather than pedagogically. Therefore the best approach for those with no prior exposure to the script is not to read through from start to finish. This would encumber the beginner with details on variants before mastering the basic forms.