Learn Urdu Script (Nastaliq) - Write Tamil Names in Urdu

Jan 3, 2026
Language Learning urdunastaliqtamilalphabets
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2026
19   Minutes
3708   Words

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:

FeatureTamil (தமிழ்)Urdu (اردو)
DirectionLeft → RightRight → Left
Script FamilyBrahmic (Tamili)Perso-Arabic
Letter StyleSeparate, angularCursive, connected
VowelsAlways writtenShort vowels optional
Shape ChangesFixed shape4 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):

PositionFormNameTamil Equivalent Concept
IsolatedبAloneLike writing ப் separately
InitialبـStart of wordLike ப in பாடு (first letter)
MedialـبـMiddle of wordLike ப in அபயம் (middle)
FinalـبEnd of wordLike 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 b
Connected: 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:

FeatureArabic Script (العربية)Urdu Script (اردو)
Number of Letters28 letters38 letters (28 Arabic + 10 Urdu-specific)
Calligraphy StyleNaskh (نسخ) or Ruq’ah (رقعة)Nastaliq (نستعلیق) - Flowing, slanted
OriginArabian Peninsula (4th-7th century CE)Persian/Indian subcontinent (13th-16th century)
Retroflex SoundsNone (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 ForArabic language, QuranUrdu, some Persian poetry
Geographic UseMiddle East, North AfricaPakistan, India, diaspora

🎯 Key Advantage for Tamil Speakers:

Urdu script has 10 EXTRA letters that match Tamil sounds perfectly:

Urdu LetterSoundTamil EquivalentWhy It Matters
پpப்Arabic doesn’t have ‘p’ - Urdu does!
ٹṭ (retroflex)ட்Perfect match - Tamil hard ‘t’
ڈḍ (retroflex)ட (voiced)Perfect match - Voiced ட்
ڑṛ (retroflex)ற்Perfect match - Tamil hard ‘r’
ںṅ (nasal)ங்/ம்/ன்Perfect match - Tamil nasal endings
ھh (aspiration)AspirationMakes க் → kh, த் → th
چchச்Better than Arabic ج (j)
ژzhஷ்Better for ஶ்/ஷ் sounds
گg (hard)க்Harder ‘g’ than Arabic غ
ےai/ēஏ/ஐFinal ‘e’ sound

Example Comparison:

Let’s write “Deepa” (தீபா) in both scripts:

ScriptResultIssues
Arabicديبا (Dībā)Uses ب (b) - sounds like “Dība” ❌
Urduدیپا (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 r

Practice 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 LetterNameSoundTamil EquivalentIsolatedInitialMedialFinal
اAlifa/āஅ/ஆااـاـا
بBebப்ببــبــب
تTet (dental)த்تتــتــت
جJīmjஜ்ججــجــج
دDāld (dental)த³ (soft த்)ددـدـد
رRerர்ررـرـر
زZezழ/ள (soft)ززـزـز
سSīnsஸ்سســســس
فFefஃப்ففــفــف
لLāmlல்للــلــل
مMīmmம்ممــمــم
نNūnnந்/ன்ننــنــن
وVāov/w/ūவ்/ஊووـوـو
ہChoṭī Heh (soft)ஹ்ہہــہــہ
یYey/īய்/ஈییــیــی

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 LetterNameSoundDescriptionTamil ApproximationIsolatedFinal
ثS̱es (soft)Like ‘th’ in “think”த (aspirated)ثـث
حBaṛī HeHeavy ‘h’ from throatஹ (deeper)حـح
خKhekhLike ‘kh’ in German “Bach”க் (with air)خـخ
ذẔālẕ/dh’th’ in “this”த (voiced)ذـذ
شShīnshLike Tamil ‘sh’ஷ்شـش
صṢādEmphatic ‘s’ஸ் (heavy)صـص
ضẒwādẓ/ḍEmphatic ‘d’ட (heavy)ضـض
طṮo’eEmphatic ‘t’ட் (heavy)طـط
ظẒo’eEmphatic ‘z’ள/ழ (heavy)ظـظ
ع’Ain’ (glottal)Throat sound— (no Tamil equivalent)عـع
غGhainghGuttural ‘r’ like French ‘r’— (like gargling)غـغ
قQāfqBack of throat ‘k’க் (from deep throat)قـق
کKāfkRegular ‘k’க்کـک

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:

LetterNameSoundTamil EquivalentIsolatedUsage
ٹṬeṭ (retroflex)ட்ٹHard ‘t’ - tongue curled back
ڈḌālḍ (retroflex)ட³ڈHard ‘d’ - like ட but voiced
ڑṚeṛ (retroflex)ற்ڑHard ‘r’ - like Tamil ற்
ںNūn Ghunnaṅ (nasal)ங்/ஞ்ںNasal ‘n’ - always at word end
ھDo-chashmī Heh (aspirated)Aspiration markھMakes 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):

MarkNameSoundTamil EquivalentExamplePronunciation
َ (above)Zabaraஅ (pulli + a)بَba (like ப)
ِ (below)Zeriஇ (pulli + i)بِbi (like பி)
ُ (above)Peshuஉ (pulli + u)بُbu (like பு)
ًTanvīnanஅன்بًban
ٍTanvīninஇன்بٍbin
ٌTanvīnunஉன்بٌbun
ْJazm(no vowel)புள்ளி (்)بْb (no vowel)
ّShaddageminationஉயிர்மெய் இரட்டிப்புبّbb (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:

LetterNameSoundTamil EquivalentExample with ب (b)
اAlifā (long ‘a’)با = bā (பா)
یYeī (long ‘i’)بی = bī (பீ)
وVāoū (long ‘u’)بو = bū (பூ)
ےBaṛī Yeai/ēஏ/ஐبے = 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 + vāo

Writing Tamil Names in Urdu

Basic Names - Simple Examples

Single-syllable Names:

Tamil NameTamil ScriptUrdu ScriptBreakdownPronunciation
Rajராஜ்راجر (r) + ا (ā) + ج (j)rāj
Shivஷிவ்شیوش (sh) + ی (ī) + و (v)shīv
Ramராம்رامر (r) + ا (ā) + م (m)rām
Devதேவ்دیود (d) + ی (ē) + و (v)dēv
Jaiஜெய்جےج (j) + ے (ai)jai

Common Tamil Names - Step-by-Step

1. Anand (ஆனந்த்)

Tamil: ஆ + ன் + அ + ந் + த் = ஆனந்த்
Urdu: 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 = ராஜா
Urdu: 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 + ந்
Urdu: 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 = பிரியா
Urdu: 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 = மாலதி
Urdu: 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 = ஜோதி
Urdu: 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 = அரவிந்த்
Urdu: 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 NameTamil ScriptUrdu ScriptTransliteration
Kumarகுமார்کمارKumār
Vijayவிஜய்وِجَےVijay
Lakshmiலக்ஷ்மிلکشمیLakshmī
Ganeshகணேஷ்گنیشGaṇēsh
Saravananசரவணன்سَرَوَنَنSaravaṇan
Selviசெல்விسیلویSelvī
Muruganமுருகன்مُرُگَنMurugan
Karthikகார்த்திக்کارتِکKārthik
Divyaதிவ்யாدِویاDivyā
NilaநிலாنیلاNīlā

Tamil-Urdu Sound Mapping

Complete Consonant Mapping

Use this chart to write any Tamil word in Urdu:

TamilTamil SoundUrdu LetterUrdu SoundExample
க்kکkகுமார் = کمار (kumār)
ங்ngن / ںn/ngஅங்கு = انگو (aṅgu)
ச்chچchசந்தை = چندے (chandai)
ஞ்gn/nyنnஞானம் = نیانم (gñyānam)
ட்ٹṭ (retroflex)படம் = پٹم (paṭam)
ண்نnகண் = کن (kaṇ)
த்thت / دt/dதமிழ் = تمل (tamil)
ந்nنnநல்ல = نلّا (nallā)
ப்pپpபல் = پل (pal)
ம்mمmமனம் = منم (manam)
ய்yیyயார் = یار (yār)
ர்rرrரவி = روی (ravi)
ல்lلlலீலா = لیلا (līlā)
வ்vوv/wவிநாயகர் = ونایگر (vināyagar)
ழ்zhژ / زzh/zதமிழ் = تمژ (tamiḻ)
ள்لlகள் = کل (kaḷ)
ற்ڑṟ (hard r)நெற்று = نیڑو (neṟṟu)
ன்nنnமன் = من (man)

Tamil Vowel to Urdu Mapping

Tamil VowelSoundUrdu StandaloneUrdu with Consonant (ب example)Example Word
aا (with zabar)بَ (ba)அம்மா = اَمّا (ammā)
āآ / ابا (bā)ஆசை = آسے (āsai)
iاِ (alif + zer)بِ (bi)இன்று = اِنڑو (inṟu)
īایبی (bī)ஈகை = ایگے (īgai)
uاُ (alif + pesh)بُ (bu)உண்மை = اُنمے (uṇmai)
ūاوبو (bū)ஊர் = اور (ūr)
eاے (alif + ye)بے (be)எழுத் = ایژت (ezhuth)
ēایبے (bē)ஏது = ایتو (ēthu)
aiایبَے (bai)கை = کَے (kai)
oاوبو (bo)ஒரு = اورو (oru)
ōاوبو (bō)ஓடு = اوڑو (ōḍu)
auاوبَو (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 ـا
ب (Be) - ب بـ ـبـ ـب
ت (Te) - ت تـ ـتـ ـت
ج (Jīm) - ج جـ ـجـ ـج
ر (Re) - ر ر ـر ـر
س (Sīn) - س سـ ـسـ ـس
ل (Lām) - ل لـ ـلـ ـل
م (Mīm) - م مـ ـمـ ـم
ن (Nūn) - ن نـ ـنـ ـن
و (Vāo) - و و ـو ـو

Practice Method:

  1. Write each letter 10 times (isolated form)
  2. Practice connecting: بب، تت، جج (double letters)
  3. Write simple words: باب (door), نان (bread)

Day 3-4: Urdu-Specific Letters (Essential for Tamil)

ٹ (Ṭe) - ٹ ٹـ ـٹـ ـٹ = Tamil ட்
ڈ (Ḍāl) - ڈ ڈ ـڈ ـڈ = Tamil ட
ڑ (Ṛe) - ڑ ڑ ـڑ ـڑ = Tamil ற்
پ (Pe) - پ پـ ـپـ ـپ = Tamil ப்
چ (Che) - چ چـ ـچـ ـچ = Tamil ச்

Tamil Word Practice:

பாடம் (pāṭam - lesson) = پاٹم
தண்ணீர் (taṇṇīr - water) = تنّیر

Day 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 ے

Practice 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) = ப
بِ (bi - zer) = பி
بُ (bu - pesh) = பு
با (bā - alif) = பா
بی (bī - ye) = பீ
بو (bū - vāo) = பூ

Tamil 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 forward
Mixed: درد (dard) - د breaks connection

Tamil Names:

ராஜா (rājā) = راجا
- ر doesn't connect → ا stands alone → ج connects → ا stands alone

Day 6-7: Write Simple Tamil Sentences

Tamil: நான் இந்தியன்
Urdu: نان ہندین
(Nāṉ Hindiyan - I am Indian)
Tamil: என் பெயர் ராஜா
Urdu: اےن پیار راجا
(Ēṉ peyar Rājā - My name is Raja)

Week 3-4: Calligraphy & Style

Beautiful Nastaliq Writing:

Tips for Elegant Script:

  1. Slant rightward (since writing R→L, letters lean right)
  2. Smooth curves - No sharp angles in Nastaliq
  3. Varying thickness - Thick downstrokes, thin upstrokes
  4. 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):

  1. راجا (Rājā - King)
  2. بازار (Bāzār - Market)
  3. تمل (Tamil - Tamil language)
  4. ہندوستان (Hindustān - India)
  5. پیار (Pyār - Love)
  6. دوست (Dōst - Friend)
  7. کتاب (Kitāb - Book)
  8. سکول (Skūl - School)

Answers with Tamil:

  1. ராஜா (King)
  2. பசார் (Market - used in Tamil)
  3. தமிழ் (Tamil)
  4. இந்துஸ்தான் (India)
  5. பியார் (Love - used in Tamil cinema)
  6. தோஸ்த் (Friend - used in Tamil)
  7. கிதாப் (Book - used in Tamil)
  8. 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 + k

Step 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 k

Now try your name!


Exercise 3: Common Tamil Phrases in Urdu

Practice writing these:

Tamil PhraseUrdu ScriptMeaning
வணக்கம்ونکّمGreetings
நன்றிنندریThank you
எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?ایپڑی اِروکیرگل؟How are you?
என் பெயர்اےن پیارMy name
நான் தமிழன்نان تملنI am Tamil
வாருங்கள்واروںگلCome (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:

  1. Settings → Time & Language → Language
  2. Add Urdu (Pakistan) or Urdu (India)
  3. Select “Urdu Phonetic Keyboard”

Mac:

  1. System Preferences → Keyboard → Input Sources
  2. Add “Urdu - Phonetic”

Android/iOS:

  1. Settings → Languages & Input
  2. Add Urdu keyboard
  3. 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 WordUrdu ScriptTamil UsageMeaning
Dostدوستதோஸ்த்Friend
Javābجوابஜவாப்Answer
Khabarخبرகபர்News
Zindagīزندگیஜிந்தகிLife
Dargāhدرگاہதர்காShrine
Dilدلதில்Heart
KhushiخوشیகுஷிHappiness
Waqtوقتவக்துTime

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!)

🙏📚✨

Thanks for Reading!
Article title Learn Urdu Script (Nastaliq) - Write Tamil Names in Urdu
Article author Anand Raja
Release time Jan 3, 2026

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