The present day
Malayalam script developed from Vattezhuthu, a descendant of the
Brahmi script. Literally meaning ‘round writing', it had currency all over the regions of the Cheras and the Pandyas. From the vattezhuthu was derived another script called the Kolezhuthu.
The absence of character combinations, the vowels a and o and conventions for symbols were the real difficulties of Vattezhuthu. During the course of time, this art of writing lost its relevance, mainly due the above said difficulties. This is no longer taught or practiced traditionally in Kerala.
Peruvanam Temple in
Thrissur has inscriptions of Vattezhuthu engraved on its wall.
