Kruti to Unicode Tamil Font Conversion
Tamil, one of the world's oldest classical languages, has a rich literary and cultural heritage. Over the
years, Tamil content has been created using various non-Unicode fonts, including Kruti. Kruti font
has been widely used in newspapers, books, educational materials, and government documents. With the
global adoption of Unicode as a standard, converting Kruti text to Unicode has become essential for
digital compatibility, accessibility, and professional publishing.
Understanding Kruti Tamil Font
Kruti is a non-Unicode Tamil font that maps Tamil letters to English keyboard keys. Unlike Unicode,
which assigns a unique code to each Tamil character, Kruti uses a custom keyboard layout. For example,
pressing "k" may display "க" depending on the Kruti keyboard mapping. Without the font installed, text
appears as unreadable English letters or symbols, limiting its usability in modern digital systems.
Kruti font became popular due to its ease of typing, speed, and compatibility with desktop publishing
software. Many printed materials, newspapers, and official documents were created using Kruti before
Unicode became the standard.
Why Convert Kruti to Unicode?
Converting Kruti text to Unicode is necessary for several reasons:
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Unicode ensures Tamil text can be read on all modern devices and operating systems without installing Kruti font.
- Web and Mobile Accessibility: Modern websites, mobile applications, and social media platforms primarily support Unicode Tamil.
- Editing and Archiving: Unicode text is easier to store, search, edit, and manage digitally.
- Professional Publishing: Newspapers, magazines, books, and official documents require Unicode for standardization.
- Future-Proofing: Unicode ensures long-term readability and compatibility with evolving technologies.
Challenges in Kruti to Unicode Conversion
Converting Kruti text to Unicode involves several challenges:
- Encoding Differences: Kruti maps Tamil letters to English keys, while Unicode uses a universal encoding system.
- Compound Characters: Ligatures such as க்ஷ, ஸ்ரீ, and றை need accurate mapping to Unicode.
- Vowel Signs: Proper placement of vowel markers (உயிர்மெய்கள்) is essential to maintain correct spelling.
- Formatting Issues: Bold, italics, and spacing may not transfer correctly during conversion.
- Font Dependency: Kruti text is unreadable without the font, making conversion necessary for modern digital use.
Methods of Kruti to Unicode Conversion
1. Manual Typing
Retyping Kruti text manually using a Unicode Tamil keyboard ensures accuracy but is highly time-consuming
and impractical for large documents or bulk conversion projects.
2. Online Conversion Tools
Online converters allow users to paste Kruti text and instantly generate Unicode output. These tools
are convenient for small to medium projects, offering speed and efficiency without requiring technical expertise.
3. Desktop Publishing Software
Professional desktop publishing software such as InPage or CorelDRAW often includes Kruti to Unicode
conversion features. These tools are widely used in newspapers, magazines, and official documents
to maintain accuracy and formatting.
4. Automated Scripts
Organizations handling large volumes of Kruti text can use automated scripts written in Python,
JavaScript, or other programming languages. This allows efficient bulk conversion while preserving
compound characters, vowel signs, and formatting.
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
- Copy the Kruti font text you want to convert.
- Open an online converter or desktop software that supports Kruti to Unicode conversion.
- Paste the text into the input field.
- Click the Convert button to generate Unicode Tamil text.
- Copy the converted Unicode text into a word processor or editor.
- Check compound characters, vowel signs, and formatting for accuracy.
Advantages of Kruti to Unicode Conversion
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: Unicode text can be read on all devices without additional fonts.
- Web and Mobile Support: Unicode ensures Tamil content displays correctly on websites, apps, and social media platforms.
- Editing and Searching: Unicode text is easy to edit, search, and archive digitally.
- Preservation: Ensures long-term readability and digital preservation of Tamil content.
- Professional Standard: Aligns with modern publishing, education, and government requirements.
Applications of Kruti to Unicode Conversion
- Newspapers and Magazines: Convert legacy print content to Unicode for digital and online publishing.
- Books: Textbooks, novels, and educational materials can be converted for modern publishing workflows.
- Education: Exam papers, research documents, and academic materials require Unicode for consistency.
- Government Documents: Official circulars, notifications, and archival records must be in Unicode.
- Websites and Mobile Apps: Unicode ensures Tamil content is accessible across devices and platforms.
Best Practices
- Keep a backup of the original Kruti text before conversion.
- Use trusted conversion tools or professional software for accurate mapping.
- Proofread converted text for compound letters and vowel signs.
- Test Unicode output across multiple devices and browsers for consistency.
- Document the conversion workflow to maintain standardization for future projects.
Future of Tamil Font Conversion
Although Unicode has become the global standard, Kruti and other legacy fonts still exist in archives,
printed books, and older publications. Advances in AI-assisted conversion tools, automated scripts, and
transliteration software make Kruti to Unicode conversion faster, efficient, and accurate. This ensures
seamless integration of Tamil content across digital and print platforms while preserving the language
for future generations.
Conclusion
Kruti to Unicode Tamil Font Conversion is essential for modernizing legacy Tamil text while maintaining
readability and authenticity. Converting Kruti text to Unicode ensures cross-platform compatibility,
web and mobile accessibility, and adherence to professional publishing standards. By using reliable
conversion tools, desktop software, or automated scripts, publishers, educators, and government institutions
can effectively transform older Tamil documents into Unicode, preserving and promoting the Tamil language
in the digital era.