Learn Urdu Script - اردو رسم الخط
Write Tamil Names in Beautiful Nastaliq
Welcome to the complete guide for learning Urdu script (اردو رسم الخط) - one of the world’s most beautiful writing systems! This guide is specially designed for Tamil speakers who want to read and write Urdu.
Introduction to Urdu Script
About Urdu - اردو کے بارے میں
Urdu (اردو - Urdū) is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken in Pakistan and India, with significant communities worldwide.
Script Features:
- Name: Urdu script (اردو رسم الخط - Urdū Rasm-ul-Khaṭ)
- Old Name: Rekhta (ریختہ) - meaning “scattered/mixed” in Persian
- Style: Nastaliq (نستعلیق) - Most elegant Persian-Arabic calligraphy style
- Type: Abjad (consonant-based alphabet)
- Direction: Right-to-left (←) - Opposite of Tamil/English!
- Age: Developed from Persian Nastaliq (13th-14th century)
- Origin: Perso-Arabic script → Nastaliq → Urdu
- Character: Flowing, cursive, connected letters (like handwriting)
How Urdu Was Born (உருதுவின் பிறப்பு):
Urdu developed in the 13th-14th century in the Delhi region when Persian-speaking Muslim rulers and soldiers interacted with local Khari Boli (Hindi-speaking) communities. This linguistic blend created Rekhta (ریختہ - “mixed/scattered”), a beautiful fusion of Persian vocabulary and grammar with local Indian (Prakrit/Apabhramsha) sounds. By the Mughal era, Rekhta evolved into modern Urdu, adopting the elegant Nastaliq script from Persian and becoming the language of poetry, courts, and culture across North India and beyond.
Key Differences from Tamil:
| Feature | Tamil (தமிழ்) | Urdu (اردو) |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Left → Right | Right → Left |
| Script Family | Brahmic (Tamili) | Perso-Arabic |
| Letter Style | Separate, angular | Cursive, connected |
| Vowels | Always written | Short vowels optional |
| Shape Changes | Fixed shape | 4 forms per letter! |
Why Urdu Is Different (But Learnable!)
Challenges for Tamil Speakers:
❗ Right-to-left writing - Your hand moves opposite direction
❗ Cursive/connected letters - Like Tamil கூட்டெழுத்து but always
❗ Four letter forms - Initial, Medial, Final, Isolated (தனி, முதல், நடு, இறுதி)
❗ Optional short vowels - கி, கீ might both look like “ک”
❗ Different sounds - க், ख், ق (three types of ‘k’ sounds!)
Why It’s Still Learnable:
✅ Systematic alphabet - Only 35-38 letters to master
✅ Phonetic - Mostly written as pronounced (like Tamil)
✅ Beautiful to write - Artistic, calligraphic style
✅ Tamil speakers have advantage - We’ll use Tamil sounds as reference!
Understanding Letter Forms
The Four Forms Concept
Unlike Tamil (fixed shapes), Urdu letters change shape based on position:
Example with letter “ب” (Be - like Tamil ப்):
| Position | Form | Name | Tamil Equivalent Concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isolated | ب | Alone | Like writing ப் separately |
| Initial | بـ | Start of word | Like ப in பாடு (first letter) |
| Medial | ـبـ | Middle of word | Like ப in அபயம் (middle) |
| Final | ـب | End of word | Like ப் in தப் (end) |
Memory Trick: Think of Urdu letters like holding hands in a line:
- Isolated (தனி): Person standing alone = full letter ب
- Initial (முதல்): Person at start holding next person’s hand = بـ
- Medial (நடு): Person in middle holding both hands = ـبـ
- Final (இறுதி): Person at end holding previous hand = ـب
Visual Example:
Isolated: ب ا د (separate letters) ↑ ↑ ↑ d ā bConnected: باد (bād - wind) - all holding hands! ↑ ↑ ↑ d ā b🔄 Arabic vs Urdu Script - What’s the Difference?
Both use the same script family, but Urdu has important additions for Indian/Persian sounds:
| Feature | Arabic Script (العربية) | Urdu Script (اردو) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Letters | 28 letters | 38 letters (28 Arabic + 10 Urdu-specific) |
| Calligraphy Style | Naskh (نسخ) or Ruq’ah (رقعة) | Nastaliq (نستعلیق) - Flowing, slanted |
| Origin | Arabian Peninsula (4th-7th century CE) | Persian/Indian subcontinent (13th-16th century) |
| Retroflex Sounds | ❌ None (no ट, ड, ड़) | ✅ Yes! ٹ (ṭ), ڈ (ḍ), ڑ (ṛ) |
| ‘P’ Sound | ❌ Uses ب (b) for both p/b | ✅ Has پ (p) - Perfect for Tamil ப்! |
| Nasal ‘n’ | ❌ Only ن (regular n) | ✅ Has ں (ṅ) - Nasal ending like Tamil ங், ம் |
| Aspiration Mark | ❌ None | ✅ Has ھ (h) - Makes letters aspirated |
| Used For | Arabic language, Quran | Urdu, some Persian poetry |
| Geographic Use | Middle East, North Africa | Pakistan, India, diaspora |
🎯 Key Advantage for Tamil Speakers:
Urdu script has 10 EXTRA letters that match Tamil sounds perfectly:
| Urdu Letter | Sound | Tamil Equivalent | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| پ | p | ப் | Arabic doesn’t have ‘p’ - Urdu does! |
| ٹ | ṭ (retroflex) | ட் | Perfect match - Tamil hard ‘t’ |
| ڈ | ḍ (retroflex) | ட (voiced) | Perfect match - Voiced ட் |
| ڑ | ṛ (retroflex) | ற் | Perfect match - Tamil hard ‘r’ |
| ں | ṅ (nasal) | ங்/ம்/ன் | Perfect match - Tamil nasal endings |
| ھ | h (aspiration) | Aspiration | Makes க் → kh, த் → th |
| چ | ch | ச் | Better than Arabic ج (j) |
| ژ | zh | ஷ் | Better for ஶ்/ஷ் sounds |
| گ | g (hard) | க் | Harder ‘g’ than Arabic غ |
| ے | ai/ē | ஏ/ஐ | Final ‘e’ sound |
Example Comparison:
Let’s write “Deepa” (தீபா) in both scripts:
| Script | Result | Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | ديبا (Dībā) | Uses ب (b) - sounds like “Dība” ❌ |
| Urdu | دیپا (Dīpā) | Uses پ (p) - sounds like “Dīpa” ✅ Perfect! |
Why Urdu is Better for Tamil Names:
✅ Retroflex sounds (ட், ற், ண்) have exact matches (ٹ، ڑ، ں)
✅ ‘P’ sound (ப்) uses پ instead of ب
✅ Nasal endings (ங், ம், ன்) use ں perfectly
✅ Aspirated sounds use ھ mark clearly
When to Use Which:
- Use Arabic script if you’re learning Quran, traveling to Arab countries, or writing formal Arabic
- Use Urdu script if you’re writing Tamil names, learning Urdu language, or communicating with Pakistan/North India
Good News: Once you learn one, learning the other is 80% done! Just learn the 10 extra Urdu letters. 🎉
Right-to-Left Writing Practice
How to Practice:
Step 1: Start from the right side of the page Step 2: Move your pen/hand toward the left Step 3: Connect letters as you write (cursive style)
Tamil Name Example: “Raja” (ராஜா)
Tamil (L→R): ர ா ஜ ா (read left to right)Urdu (L←R): راجا (read right to left!) ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ā j ā rPractice Tip:
- Write Tamil words backwards first to get used to R→L direction
- Example: Write “அரசு” as “சரஅ” to practice right-to-left hand movement
Urdu Alphabet (حروف تہجی - Hurūf-e-Tahajjī)
Basic Consonants - Core 28 Letters
Group 1: Simple Sounds (Similar to Tamil)
| Urdu Letter | Name | Sound | Tamil Equivalent | Isolated | Initial | Medial | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ا | Alif | a/ā | அ/ஆ | ا | ا | ـا | ـا |
| ب | Be | b | ப் | ب | بـ | ـبـ | ـب |
| ت | Te | t (dental) | த் | ت | تـ | ـتـ | ـت |
| ج | Jīm | j | ஜ் | ج | جـ | ـجـ | ـج |
| د | Dāl | d (dental) | த³ (soft த்) | د | د | ـد | ـد |
| ر | Re | r | ர் | ر | ر | ـر | ـر |
| ز | Ze | z | ழ/ள (soft) | ز | ز | ـز | ـز |
| س | Sīn | s | ஸ் | س | سـ | ـسـ | ـس |
| ف | Fe | f | ஃப் | ف | فـ | ـفـ | ـف |
| ل | Lām | l | ல் | ل | لـ | ـلـ | ـل |
| م | Mīm | m | ம் | م | مـ | ـمـ | ـم |
| ن | Nūn | n | ந்/ன் | ن | نـ | ـنـ | ـن |
| و | Vāo | v/w/ū | வ்/ஊ | و | و | ـو | ـو |
| ہ | Choṭī He | h (soft) | ஹ் | ہ | ہـ | ـہـ | ـہ |
| ی | Ye | y/ī | ய்/ஈ | ی | یـ | ـیـ | ـی |
Memory Tricks:
- ب (Be) = ப் - Has one dot below, like Tamil ப் has one loop
- ت (Te) = த் - Two dots above, dental ‘t’ like Tamil த்
- ج (Jīm) = ஜ் - Curved shape, ‘j’ sound
- م (Mīm) = ம் - Round/circular shape, ‘m’ sound
- ن (Nūn) = ந்/ன் - Has dot above, ‘n’ sound
Group 2: Emphatic/Guttural Sounds (Unique to Urdu)
| Urdu Letter | Name | Sound | Description | Tamil Approximation | Isolated | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ث | S̱e | s (soft) | Like ‘th’ in “think” | த (aspirated) | ث | ـث |
| ح | Baṛī He | ḥ | Heavy ‘h’ from throat | ஹ (deeper) | ح | ـح |
| خ | Khe | kh | Like ‘kh’ in German “Bach” | க் (with air) | خ | ـخ |
| ذ | Ẕāl | ẕ/dh | ’th’ in “this” | த (voiced) | ذ | ـذ |
| ش | Shīn | sh | Like Tamil ‘sh’ | ஷ் | ش | ـش |
| ص | Ṣād | ṣ | Emphatic ‘s’ | ஸ் (heavy) | ص | ـص |
| ض | Ẓwād | ẓ/ḍ | Emphatic ‘d’ | ட (heavy) | ض | ـض |
| ط | Ṯo’e | ṯ | Emphatic ‘t’ | ட் (heavy) | ط | ـط |
| ظ | Ẓo’e | ẓ | Emphatic ‘z’ | ள/ழ (heavy) | ظ | ـظ |
| ع | ’Ain | ’ (glottal) | Throat sound | — (no Tamil equivalent) | ع | ـع |
| غ | Ghain | gh | Guttural ‘r’ like French ‘r’ | — (like gargling) | غ | ـغ |
| ق | Qāf | q | Back of throat ‘k’ | க் (from deep throat) | ق | ـق |
| ک | Kāf | k | Regular ‘k’ | க் | ک | ـک |
Don’t Worry! Many of these “unique” sounds can be approximated with Tamil letters for writing Tamil names. We’ll focus on practical usage.
Additional Urdu Letters (Unique to Urdu)
Urdu adds these letters beyond standard Arabic:
| Letter | Name | Sound | Tamil Equivalent | Isolated | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ٹ | Ṭe | ṭ (retroflex) | ட் | ٹ | Hard ‘t’ - tongue curled back |
| ڈ | Ḍāl | ḍ (retroflex) | ட³ | ڈ | Hard ‘d’ - like ட but voiced |
| ڑ | Ṛe | ṛ (retroflex) | ற் | ڑ | Hard ‘r’ - like Tamil ற் |
| ں | Nūn Ghunna | ṅ (nasal) | ங்/ஞ் | ں | Nasal ‘n’ - always at word end |
| ھ | Do-chashmī He | h (aspirated) | Aspiration mark | ھ | Makes letters aspirated (like க் → kh) |
Great News for Tamil Speakers!
These Urdu-specific letters match Tamil sounds perfectly:
- ٹ = ட் (retroflex ṭ)
- ڈ = ட (voiced retroflex)
- ڑ = ற் (Tamil hard ‘r’)
- ں = ங்/ம் (Tamil nasal endings)
This makes writing Tamil names in Urdu EASIER than Arabic names!
Vowels in Urdu (اعراب - I’rāb)
Short Vowels (Diacritics) - ஒலிக்குறிகள்
Unlike Tamil, short vowels are written as MARKS above/below consonants (usually optional in everyday writing):
| Mark | Name | Sound | Tamil Equivalent | Example | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| َ (above) | Zabar | a | அ (pulli + a) | بَ | ba (like ப) |
| ِ (below) | Zer | i | இ (pulli + i) | بِ | bi (like பி) |
| ُ (above) | Pesh | u | உ (pulli + u) | بُ | bu (like பு) |
| ً | Tanvīn | an | அன் | بً | ban |
| ٍ | Tanvīn | in | இன் | بٍ | bin |
| ٌ | Tanvīn | un | உன் | بٌ | bun |
| ْ | Jazm | (no vowel) | புள்ளி (்) | بْ | b (no vowel) |
| ّ | Shadda | gemination | உயிர்மெய் இரட்டிப்பு | بّ | bb (double) |
Memory Trick:
- Zabar (َ) - Line above = Tamil மேல் புள்ளி → அ sound
- Zer (ِ) - Line below = Tamil கீழ் புள்ளி → இ sound
- Pesh (ُ) - Small loop above = Tamil உ curve
- Jazm (ْ) - Small circle = Tamil ் (pulli - remove vowel!)
Long Vowels (Full Letters) - நெடில் உயிர்கள்
Long vowels use full letters:
| Letter | Name | Sound | Tamil Equivalent | Example with ب (b) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ا | Alif | ā (long ‘a’) | ஆ | با = bā (பா) |
| ی | Ye | ī (long ‘i’) | ஈ | بی = bī (பீ) |
| و | Vāo | ū (long ‘u’) | ஊ | بو = bū (பூ) |
| ے | Baṛī Ye | ai/ē | ஏ/ஐ | بے = be (பே) |
How to Use:
Tamil: ப + ா = பா (bā)Urdu: ب + ا = با (bā) - consonant + alif
Tamil: ப + ீ = பீ (bī)Urdu: ب + ی = بی (bī) - consonant + ye
Tamil: ப + ூ = பூ (bū)Urdu: ب + و = بو (bū) - consonant + vāoWriting Tamil Names in Urdu
Basic Names - Simple Examples
Single-syllable Names:
| Tamil Name | Tamil Script | Urdu Script | Breakdown | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raj | ராஜ் | راج | ر (r) + ا (ā) + ج (j) | rāj |
| Shiv | ஷிவ் | شیو | ش (sh) + ی (ī) + و (v) | shīv |
| Ram | ராம் | رام | ر (r) + ا (ā) + م (m) | rām |
| Dev | தேவ் | دیو | د (d) + ی (ē) + و (v) | dēv |
| Jai | ஜெய் | جے | ج (j) + ے (ai) | jai |
Common Tamil Names - Step-by-Step
1. Anand (ஆனந்த்)
Tamil: ஆ + ன் + அ + ந் + த் = ஆனந்த்Urdu: آ + ن + ن + د = آنند ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ d + n + n + ā
Urdu Script: آنند (Ānand)Letter-by-Letter:
- آ (Alif with Madda) = ஆ (long ‘ā’)
- ن (Nūn with zabar َ mark) = நَ (na - the middle ‘a’ sound)
- ن (Nūn) = ந் (n)
- د (Dāl) = த் (d)
Important Note - Why Not د+ن+ا+ن+ا?
You might wonder: “Why آنند and not آنَانَد (with alif for each ‘a’)?”
Great question! In Urdu:
- Long ā (ஆ) = Written with ا (alif) - Full letter
- Short a (அ) = Written with َ (zabar) - Just a mark above the letter
So “Anand” = ā-na-n-d → The first ‘ā’ is LONG (needs ا), but the middle ‘a’ in ‘na’ is SHORT (only needs zabar mark َ on ن).
தமிழில்: ஆனந்த் = ஆ (நெடில்) + ந் + அ (குறில்) + ந் + த் உருதுவில்: آنَند = آ (long alif) + نَ (n + short zabar) + ن + د
Most written Urdu skips the zabar marks (assumed by reader), so you see: آنند
2. Raja (ராஜா)
Tamil: ர் + ஆ + ஜ் + ஆ = ராஜாUrdu: ر + ا + ج + ا = راجا ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ā + j + ā + r
Urdu Script: راجا (Rājā)Letter-by-Letter:
- ر (Re) = ர் (r)
- ا (Alif) = ஆ (ā)
- ج (Jīm) = ஜ் (j)
- ا (Alif) = ஆ (ā)
3. Sri Renganathan (ஸ்ரீ ரெங்கநாதன்)
Tamil: ஸ் + ர் + ஈ + ர் + எ + ங் + க் + ந் + ஆ + த் + ந்Urdu: س + ر + ی + ر + ی + ن + گ + ن + ا + ت + ھ + ن
Part 1 - Sri (ஸ்ரீ):Urdu: سری (Srī)- س (Sīn) = ஸ் (s)- ر (Re) = ர் (r)- ی (Ye) = ஈ (ī)
Part 2 - Renganathan (ரெங்கநாதன்):Urdu: رینگناتھن (Rēṅganāthan)- ر (Re) = ர் (r)- ی (Ye with zer) = எ (e)- ن (Nūn) = ங் (ṅ)- گ (Gāf) = க் (g)7 collapsed lines
- ن (Nūn) = ந் (n)- ا (Alif) = ஆ (ā)- ت (Te) = த் (t)- ھ (Do-chashmī He) = aspiration- ن (Nūn) = ன் (n)
Full Name: سری رینگناتھن (Srī Rēṅganāthan)4. Priya (பிரியா)
Tamil: ப் + இ + ர் + இ + ய் + ஆ = பிரியாUrdu: پ + ر + ی + ا = پریا ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ā + ye + r + p
Urdu Script: پریا (Priyā)Letter-by-Letter:
- پ (Pe - Urdu letter) = ப் (p)
- ر (Re) = ர் (r)
- ی (Ye) = இய் (iyā combination)
- ا (Alif) = ஆ (ā)
5. Malathi (மாலதி)
Tamil: ம் + ஆ + ல் + அ + த் + இ = மாலதிUrdu: م + ا + ل + ت + ی = مالتی ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ī + t + l + ā + m
Urdu Script: مالتی (Mālatī)Letter-by-Letter:
- م (Mīm) = ம் (m)
- ا (Alif) = ஆ (ā)
- ل (Lām) = ல் (l)
- ت (Te) = த் (t)
- ی (Ye) = இ (ī)
6. Jothi (ஜோதி)
Tamil: ஜ் + ஓ + த் + இ = ஜோதிUrdu: ج + و + ت + ی = جوتی ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ī + t + o + j
Urdu Script: جوتی (Jōtī)Letter-by-Letter:
- ج (Jīm) = ஜ் (j)
- و (Vāo with zabar) = ஓ (ō)
- ت (Te) = த் (t)
- ی (Ye) = இ (ī)
7. Aravindh (அரவிந்த்)
Tamil: அ + ர் + அ + வ் + இ + ந் + த் = அரவிந்த்Urdu: ا + ر + و + ی + ن + د = اَرویند ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ d + n + i + v + r + a
Urdu Script: اَرویند (Aravind)Letter-by-Letter:
- ا (Alif with zabar) = அ (a)
- ر (Re) = ர் (r)
- و (Vāo) = வ் (v)
- ی (Ye) = இ (i)
- ن (Nūn) = ந் (n)
- د (Dāl) = த் (d)
Complete Name Writing Guide
More Tamil Names in Urdu:
| Tamil Name | Tamil Script | Urdu Script | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar | குமார் | کمار | Kumār |
| Vijay | விஜய் | وِجَے | Vijay |
| Lakshmi | லக்ஷ்மி | لکشمی | Lakshmī |
| Ganesh | கணேஷ் | گنیش | Gaṇēsh |
| Saravanan | சரவணன் | سَرَوَنَن | Saravaṇan |
| Selvi | செல்வி | سیلوی | Selvī |
| Murugan | முருகன் | مُرُگَن | Murugan |
| Karthik | கார்த்திக் | کارتِک | Kārthik |
| Divya | திவ்யா | دِویا | Divyā |
| Nila | நிலா | نیلا | Nīlā |
Tamil-Urdu Sound Mapping
Complete Consonant Mapping
Use this chart to write any Tamil word in Urdu:
| Tamil | Tamil Sound | Urdu Letter | Urdu Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| க் | k | ک | k | குமார் = کمار (kumār) |
| ங் | ng | ن / ں | n/ng | அங்கு = انگو (aṅgu) |
| ச் | ch | چ | ch | சந்தை = چندے (chandai) |
| ஞ் | gn/ny | ن | n | ஞானம் = نیانم (gñyānam) |
| ட் | ṭ | ٹ | ṭ (retroflex) | படம் = پٹم (paṭam) |
| ண் | ṇ | ن | n | கண் = کن (kaṇ) |
| த் | th | ت / د | t/d | தமிழ் = تمل (tamil) |
| ந் | n | ن | n | நல்ல = نلّا (nallā) |
| ப் | p | پ | p | பல் = پل (pal) |
| ம் | m | م | m | மனம் = منم (manam) |
| ய் | y | ی | y | யார் = یار (yār) |
| ர் | r | ر | r | ரவி = روی (ravi) |
| ல் | l | ل | l | லீலா = لیلا (līlā) |
| வ் | v | و | v/w | விநாயகர் = ونایگر (vināyagar) |
| ழ் | zh | ژ / ز | zh/z | தமிழ் = تمژ (tamiḻ) |
| ள் | ḷ | ل | l | கள் = کل (kaḷ) |
| ற் | ṟ | ڑ | ṟ (hard r) | நெற்று = نیڑو (neṟṟu) |
| ன் | n | ن | n | மன் = من (man) |
Tamil Vowel to Urdu Mapping
| Tamil Vowel | Sound | Urdu Standalone | Urdu with Consonant (ب example) | Example Word |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| அ | a | ا (with zabar) | بَ (ba) | அம்மா = اَمّا (ammā) |
| ஆ | ā | آ / ا | با (bā) | ஆசை = آسے (āsai) |
| இ | i | اِ (alif + zer) | بِ (bi) | இன்று = اِنڑو (inṟu) |
| ஈ | ī | ای | بی (bī) | ஈகை = ایگے (īgai) |
| உ | u | اُ (alif + pesh) | بُ (bu) | உண்மை = اُنمے (uṇmai) |
| ஊ | ū | او | بو (bū) | ஊர் = اور (ūr) |
| எ | e | اے (alif + ye) | بے (be) | எழுத் = ایژت (ezhuth) |
| ஏ | ē | ای | بے (bē) | ஏது = ایتو (ēthu) |
| ஐ | ai | ای | بَے (bai) | கை = کَے (kai) |
| ஒ | o | او | بو (bo) | ஒரு = اورو (oru) |
| ஓ | ō | او | بو (bō) | ஓடு = اوڑو (ōḍu) |
| ஔ | au | او | بَو (bau) | கௌரவம் = کَورَوَم (kauvaram) |
Step-by-Step Writing Practice
Week 1: Master the Alphabet
Day 1-2: Learn Basic Letters (10 letters)
Practice these letters in all 4 forms:
ا (Alif) - ا ا ـا ـاب (Be) - ب بـ ـبـ ـبت (Te) - ت تـ ـتـ ـتج (Jīm) - ج جـ ـجـ ـجر (Re) - ر ر ـر ـرس (Sīn) - س سـ ـسـ ـسل (Lām) - ل لـ ـلـ ـلم (Mīm) - م مـ ـمـ ـمن (Nūn) - ن نـ ـنـ ـنو (Vāo) - و و ـو ـوPractice Method:
- Write each letter 10 times (isolated form)
- Practice connecting: بب، تت، جج (double letters)
- Write simple words: باب (door), نان (bread)
Day 3-4: Urdu-Specific Letters (Essential for Tamil)
ٹ (Ṭe) - ٹ ٹـ ـٹـ ـٹ = Tamil ட்ڈ (Ḍāl) - ڈ ڈ ـڈ ـڈ = Tamil டڑ (Ṛe) - ڑ ڑ ـڑ ـڑ = Tamil ற்پ (Pe) - پ پـ ـپـ ـپ = Tamil ப்چ (Che) - چ چـ ـچـ ـچ = Tamil ச்Tamil Word Practice:
பாடம் (pāṭam - lesson) = پاٹمதண்ணீர் (taṇṇīr - water) = تنّیرDay 5-7: Complete Alphabet Review
Write all 38 Urdu letters in sequence (right to left!):
ا ب پ ت ٹ ث ج چ ح خ د ڈ ذ ر ڑ ز ژ س ش ص ض ط ظ ع غ ف ق ک گ ل م ن ں و ہ ھ ی ےPractice Sentence:
Tamil: நான் தமிழன் (I am Tamil)Urdu: نان تملن (Nāṉ tamiḻaṉ)Week 2: Vowel Marks & Connection
Day 1-3: Master Vowel Marks (Zabar, Zer, Pesh)
Practice adding vowel marks to consonants:
بَ (ba - zabar) = பبِ (bi - zer) = பிبُ (bu - pesh) = புبا (bā - alif) = பாبی (bī - ye) = பீبو (bū - vāo) = பூTamil Word Practice:
அம்மா (ammā) = اَمّا (a-m-mā with shadda on م)அப்பா (appā) = اَپّا (a-p-pā with shadda on پ)Day 4-5: Practice Letter Connection
Connection Rules:
- Some letters DON’T connect forward: ا، د، ڈ، ذ، ر، ڑ، ز، ژ، و
- Most letters connect both ways
Practice:
Connecting letters: بتن (batan)Non-connecting: بار (bār) - ر doesn't connect forwardMixed: درد (dard) - د breaks connectionTamil Names:
ராஜா (rājā) = راجا- ر doesn't connect → ا stands alone → ج connects → ا stands aloneDay 6-7: Write Simple Tamil Sentences
Tamil: நான் இந்தியன்Urdu: نان ہندین (Nāṉ Hindiyan - I am Indian)
Tamil: என் பெயர் ராஜாUrdu: اےن پیار راجا (Ēṉ peyar Rājā - My name is Raja)Week 3-4: Calligraphy & Style
Beautiful Nastaliq Writing:
Tips for Elegant Script:
- Slant rightward (since writing R→L, letters lean right)
- Smooth curves - No sharp angles in Nastaliq
- Varying thickness - Thick downstrokes, thin upstrokes
- Ligatures - Some letter combinations merge (like ل + ا = لا)
Special Ligatures to Practice:
لا (lām + alif) = لا (merged as one symbol)للہ (Allah) = اللہ (special ligature)Tamil Names in Calligraphic Style:
Practice writing these names beautifully:
سری رینگناتھن (Srī Rēṅganāthan)آنند (Ānand)پریا (Priyā)Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Read These Urdu Words
Try reading these words (all are Tamil/common words in Urdu):
- راجا (Rājā - King)
- بازار (Bāzār - Market)
- تمل (Tamil - Tamil language)
- ہندوستان (Hindustān - India)
- پیار (Pyār - Love)
- دوست (Dōst - Friend)
- کتاب (Kitāb - Book)
- سکول (Skūl - School)
Answers with Tamil:
- ராஜா (King)
- பசார் (Market - used in Tamil)
- தமிழ் (Tamil)
- இந்துஸ்தான் (India)
- பியார் (Love - used in Tamil cinema)
- தோஸ்த் (Friend - used in Tamil)
- கிதாப் (Book - used in Tamil)
- ஸ்கூல் (School)
Exercise 2: Write Your Tamil Name
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Break your Tamil name into sounds
Example: கார்த்திக் (Kārthik)Sounds: க் + ஆ + ர் + த் + இ + க் k + ā + r + t + i + kStep 2: Find Urdu letters for each sound (use mapping table)
க் = ک (k)ஆ = ا (ā)ர் = ر (r)த் = ت (t)இ = ِ (zer mark)க் = ک (k)Step 3: Write right-to-left, connecting letters
Urdu: کارتِک (Kārthik)Read: ک + ا + ر + ت + ِ + ک k i t r ā kNow try your name!
Exercise 3: Common Tamil Phrases in Urdu
Practice writing these:
| Tamil Phrase | Urdu Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| வணக்கம் | ونکّم | Greetings |
| நன்றி | نندری | Thank you |
| எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? | ایپڑی اِروکیرگل؟ | How are you? |
| என் பெயர் | اےن پیار | My name |
| நான் தமிழன் | نان تملن | I am Tamil |
| வாருங்கள் | واروںگل | Come (respectful) |
Resources & Tools
Online Learning Resources
Websites:
Mobile Apps:
- Urdu Keyboard - For typing practice
- Learn Urdu (Drops) - Vocabulary building
- Google Translate - Tamil to Urdu (with Urdu script)
- Urdu Dictionary - Comprehensive word reference
YouTube Channels:
- “Learn Urdu” - Alphabet tutorials
- “Urdu Calligraphy” - Writing style
- “Urdu for Beginners” - Complete lessons
Typing Tools
Urdu Keyboard Setup:
Windows:
- Settings → Time & Language → Language
- Add Urdu (Pakistan) or Urdu (India)
- Select “Urdu Phonetic Keyboard”
Mac:
- System Preferences → Keyboard → Input Sources
- Add “Urdu - Phonetic”
Android/iOS:
- Settings → Languages & Input
- Add Urdu keyboard
- Use SwiftKey or Google Gboard for better Urdu support
Online Tools:
Calligraphy Resources
Learning Nastaliq Style:
📚 Books:
- “The Art of Nastaliq” - Calligraphy guide
- “Urdu Script Manual” - Letter formation
🎨 Practice Sheets:
- Download free Urdu letter tracing sheets
- Nastaliq practice grids (right-to-left lined paper)
🖊️ Tools:
- Qalam (Reed pen) - Traditional calligraphy
- Calligraphy markers - Modern practice
- Grid notebooks - For maintaining slant and proportions
Common Mistakes & Tips
Mistakes Tamil Speakers Make
1. Writing Left-to-Right
❌ Wrong: Starting from left side of page
✅ Right: Start from right side, move left
Tip: Practice writing Tamil backwards to build muscle memory
2. Not Connecting Letters
❌ Wrong: Writing isolated forms in words (like ب ا ب instead of باب)
✅ Right: Connect letters that should connect
Tip: Learn which 7 letters DON’T connect forward (ا د ذ ر ز و ے)
3. Forgetting Letter Forms
❌ Wrong: Using isolated form in middle of word
✅ Right: Use correct form (initial/medial/final)
Tip: Practice each letter in all 4 positions daily
4. Mixing Up Similar Letters
Common confusions:
- ب (be - 1 dot below) vs. ت (te - 2 dots above) vs. ث (s̱e - 3 dots above)
- ج (jīm) vs. ح (he) vs. خ (khe) - same base shape, different dots
- س (sīn) vs. ش (shīn) - same shape, different dots
✅ Tip: Count the dots! Practice writing just dots separately
5. Skipping Vowel Marks
❌ Wrong: Writing کتب without marks (could be kataba, kitāb, kutiba…)
✅ Right: Add vowel marks when learning: کِتاب (kitāb - book)
Tip: Use vowel marks until confident
Tamil Speaker Advantages
What Tamil Speakers Get Right:
✅ Retroflex sounds - Tamil ட், ண், ற் directly map to Urdu ٹ، ڈ، ڑ
✅ Nasal endings - Tamil ம், ன், ங் → Urdu ں (nūn ghunna)
✅ Phonetic spelling - Both languages write mostly as pronounced
✅ Vowel modification - Tamil மாத்ரை concept similar to Urdu vowel marks
Cultural Context
Tamil-Urdu Connection
Historical Links:
🏛️ Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Era - Urdu words entered Tamil through trade and administration
🎬 Cinema - Tamil and Urdu/Hindi film industries share vocabulary
🎵 Music - Ghazals, Qawwalis popular in Tamil Nadu
📚 Literature - Sufi poetry influence on Tamil Islamic literature
Common Urdu Words in Tamil:
| Urdu Word | Urdu Script | Tamil Usage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dost | دوست | தோஸ்த் | Friend |
| Javāb | جواب | ஜவாப் | Answer |
| Khabar | خبر | கபர் | News |
| Zindagī | زندگی | ஜிந்தகி | Life |
| Dargāh | درگاہ | தர்கா | Shrine |
| Dil | دل | தில் | Heart |
| Khushi | خوشی | குஷி | Happiness |
| Waqt | وقت | வக்து | Time |
Where to Use Urdu Script
Practical Applications:
🎨 Art & Calligraphy:
- Wedding cards (Tamil-Urdu bilingual)
- Name plates in beautiful Nastaliq
- Decorative wall art with your name
💌 Personal Use:
- Write diary in Urdu script
- Secret notes (few Tamil speakers read Urdu!)
- Social media usernames in Urdu
🎓 Cultural Bridge:
- Connect with Urdu-speaking friends
- Understand Islamic terminology in Tamil contexts
- Read Urdu poetry (Mir, Ghalib, Faiz)
🌍 Travel:
- Pakistan (national language)
- North India (widely understood)
- Middle East (Arabic script familiarity)
Conclusion
Your Learning Journey
What You’ve Learned:
✅ 38 Urdu letters - Complete alphabet with 4 forms each
✅ Vowel system - Short marks (zabar, zer, pesh) and long letters
✅ Right-to-left writing - Mastered opposite direction
✅ Tamil name writing - Can write any Tamil name in Urdu
✅ Tamil-Urdu mapping - Sound correspondence between scripts
✅ Connection rules - Which letters connect and how
✅ Cultural context - Tamil-Urdu historical and linguistic ties
Expected Timeline
Realistic Learning Milestones:
📅 Week 1: Recognize all 38 letters in isolated form
📅 Week 2: Read simple words (3-4 letters)
📅 Week 3: Write your Tamil name correctly
📅 Week 4: Read simple sentences slowly
📅 Month 2: Write short phrases and common words
📅 Month 3: Basic reading fluency (newspapers, signs)
📅 Month 6: Comfortable reading and writing Urdu
Practice Daily
15-Minute Daily Routine:
Minutes 1-5: Write alphabet (focus on 5 letters per day in rotation)
Minutes 6-10: Practice one Tamil name in Urdu (from the guide)
Minutes 11-15: Read Urdu text (start with transliterated Tamil words)
Weekly Goals:
- Write 5 new Tamil names in Urdu
- Learn 10 new Urdu vocabulary words
- Read one Urdu paragraph (transliterated if needed)
Final Tips
Remember:
🎯 Be patient - Right-to-left writing takes time to master
🎯 Practice forms - Each letter has 4 forms; drill them daily
🎯 Use Tamil advantage - Leverage retroflex sounds (ட், ற், ண்)
🎯 Start simple - Master alphabet before attempting full sentences
🎯 Enjoy the beauty - Nastaliq is artistic; appreciate the aesthetics
🎯 Cultural respect - Urdu is a beautiful language with rich heritage
خوش آمدید (Khush Āmdīd) - Welcome to the World of Urdu!
May your journey in learning Urdu script be beautiful and enriching!
شکریہ (Shukriya) - Thank you!
வாழ்க தமிழ்! (Long live Tamil! Long live Urdu!)
🙏📚✨
