Narayam
Encyclopedia
Narayam (Sanskrit
: नाराच - small arrow) or ezhuthani (Malayalam: എഴുത്താണി) is a writing instrument (stylus) used since antiquity in South India
, Sri Lanka
and other proximate regions of Asia. Although similar to the modern day pen
in shape and use, instead of using a colored ink, it scribes on the surface (normally a pre-treated palm leaf) creating fine scratches in the form of letters and shapes. In essence, the narayam is a long piece of iron with a sharpened or pointed end and fabricated to ergonomically fit into the writer's fist.
Narayam was the primary tool to scribe on Thaliyola, the pre-treated leaf of an Asian palmyra palm. Until the introduction of paper, the palm-leaves remained as the primary medium for creating, circulating and preserving written articles in the region.
Narayam was made in various shapes and sizes to suite the writer's style and ergonomic comfort. They ranged from very simple design to the most eloquent fashions befitting the status of its users. Sometimes, it was also maintained as an accessory to other personal utility tools like pocket knives etc., similar to the swiss army knife
culture. In addition to scribing, the narayam could also be used as a punching pin to pierce small holes on the palm leaves. Through these holes, the individual leaves will be kneaded together using threads thereby forming a bound collection which is commonly known as a 'grantha
' (book).
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
: नाराच - small arrow) or ezhuthani (Malayalam: എഴുത്താണി) is a writing instrument (stylus) used since antiquity in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
and other proximate regions of Asia. Although similar to the modern day pen
Pen
A pen is a device used to apply ink to a surface, usually paper, for writing or drawing. Historically, reed pens, quill pens, and dip pens were used, with a nib of some sort to be dipped in the ink. Ruling pens allow precise adjustment of line width, and still find a few specialized uses, but...
in shape and use, instead of using a colored ink, it scribes on the surface (normally a pre-treated palm leaf) creating fine scratches in the form of letters and shapes. In essence, the narayam is a long piece of iron with a sharpened or pointed end and fabricated to ergonomically fit into the writer's fist.
Narayam was the primary tool to scribe on Thaliyola, the pre-treated leaf of an Asian palmyra palm. Until the introduction of paper, the palm-leaves remained as the primary medium for creating, circulating and preserving written articles in the region.
Narayam was made in various shapes and sizes to suite the writer's style and ergonomic comfort. They ranged from very simple design to the most eloquent fashions befitting the status of its users. Sometimes, it was also maintained as an accessory to other personal utility tools like pocket knives etc., similar to the swiss army knife
Swiss Army knife
The Swiss Army knife is a brand of pocket knife or multi-tool manufactured by Victorinox AG and Wenger SA. The term "Swiss Army knife" was coined by US soldiers after World War II due to the difficulty they had in pronouncing the German name....
culture. In addition to scribing, the narayam could also be used as a punching pin to pierce small holes on the palm leaves. Through these holes, the individual leaves will be kneaded together using threads thereby forming a bound collection which is commonly known as a 'grantha
Grantha
Grantha script is an ancient script that was widely used between the 6th century and the 19th century CE to write classical Sanskrit and Manipravalam by Tamil speakers in Southern India, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and is still in restricted use in traditional vedic schools...
' (book).