Thamizh numerical representation, 18 siththars, yALi
What is with the 18 Siththars who are widely spoken in the Thamizh history? When did these people live? What kind of breakthrough did they do? Are their work still available or lost in time?
What are the Thamizh symbol equivalents of the numerical values 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 0?
The head of the yALi is found on the veenai's arm. A Thamizh teacher told me that the veenai is a representation of human body, as the strings are tied to a wooden representation of backbone structure and etc. That is when, he inquired us if we knew the animal which was on the veenai's arm. He also pointed out the fact that Thamizh people use these on 'manavarai' where the yALi is put in the display. How did this tradition come in use? What is the real story behind the Thamizh Dragon, yALi?
Re: Thamizh numerical representation, 18 siththars, yALi
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nedunchezhiyan
What is with the 18 Siththars who are widely spoken in the Thamizh history? When did these people live? What kind of breakthrough did they do? Are their work still available or lost in time?
There are more than 60 Sithars - the earliest being Thirumoolar - (3rd Century CE) and the last Ramalinga Vallalar (he is considered a sithar too).
They are grouped differently in 18s by different people. Some are medicinal Siththars - Like Bogar, Pulipani, Theraiyar, ...
Some talk vazhviyal - how to live 'philosopically' - Like Sivakiyar, Pambatti, Kuthambai ...
Some, like Thirumoolar, wrote both medicine and 'philosophy'.
Do you need a list of names?
Re: Thamizh numerical representation, 18 siththars, yALi
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nedunchezhiyan
What are the Thamizh symbol equivalents of the numerical values 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 and 0?
If you have Unicode fonts installed, you can the Tamil numerals and how they were traditionally used here:
http://www.geocities.com/avarangal/tamil-numerals.htm
In modern times, the system has been rationalised a little. For instance, one sees ௧0 instead of ௰, and ௧000 instead of ௲. Similarly, 253 would today be written ௨௫௩ rather than ௨௱௫௩.