Typing Unicode Telugu using other keyboard layouts

There are many keyboard layouts and transliteration schemes to Type in Telugu. Many of users who type Telugu on computers use proprietary encodings and keyboard layouts like Modular, Apple, and Roma. If they have a way to type in Telugu in Unicode using the layout they are familiar with, it would boost the usage of Telugu on the Web specifically and on computers generally. This post explores the problem of keyboard layouts and introduces some Keyboard Layout Creators.

Lot of people who work with/write/publish Telugu on computers (ignoring Telugu bloggers and Wikipedians) use applications like Anu Script Manager (Anu Fonts), Shree-Lipi, iLEAP, etc. (Through out this post, I’ll refer to them as ‘these applications’.) These applications are good for printing purposes, but not for producing content for the Web. They are not good because they produce non-Unicode text. Non-Unicode text is bad on the web because–

  1. user must have the font that supports particular encoding/mapping (the mappings that these applications use are different)
  2. search engines do not understand it (because of the point 1 above, most people put the content as images, as against text)

Most people stuck with these applications and non-Unicode text because there was no other alternative until support for Unicode is available in Operating Systems and other software applications. Even the people who realize the benefits of Unicode are in a difficult position to move to Unicode. Reason one is their process gets disturbed. They need to use new set of tools.

Most of these applications support multiple keyboard layouts (including Inscript Keyboard Layout, which is the default keyboard layout that comes with Windows and Linux operating systems). However, most users of these applications are used to other layouts than Inscript. If any of these users want to use Unicode, they need to type using a different layout. If they frequently switch back and forth between Unicode and non-Unicode texts, remembering two layouts is very confusing. And, in those cases, they most likely decide abandon using Unicode.

It would be helpful if they can type in Unicode using the keyboard layout they are familiar with. And, the good news is that it is possible to make your own keyboard layout. There are at least a handful of options:

Modular layout is the famous layout on non-Unicode Telugu generation applications. Using the MSKLC, I created Telugu Modular Keyboard Layout for Windows. By using this, you can type in Telugu wherever you can type in English.

Here are the instructions on how to use it:

  1. Download the Modular Telugu Keyboard Layout.
  2. Unzip the downloaded zip file.
  3. Execute the Setup.exe file in te_mdlr folder
  4. After the installation is complete, you can switch to the Modular Keyboard Layout by pressing Left Alt + Shift. Pressing again the same keyboard shortcut brings you back to the English.
  5. If you want to see an indication of which layout is in use, you can enable Language Bar in Windows.

I hope people would take forward this initiative and create all the keyboard layouts that are in use for Telugu and more number of people start using Telugu on the web and computers.

Update: I also created Apple Telugu Keyboard Layout for Windows.

38 Responses to Typing Unicode Telugu using other keyboard layouts

  1. Thanks for the info! Linux lo support bavundi.. found SCIM very useful.. this post just came handy when I’m working in windows..

    Gopal.Koduri | 11:31 am on the 26th of February, 2008

  2. I have Anu Script Manager 7.0. But I am not able to type doublings (vatgthulu). Could you please help.
    Sudhir Jangam

    Sudhir Jangam | 5:09 am on the 3rd of March, 2008

  3. @Sudhir Jangam

    In joinings, you should give the vowel after, instead of before, the linking character ‘&’.

    Veeven | 7:26 pm on the 4th of March, 2008

  4. Sir
    In win xp with the inscript keyboard there is a problem in forcing “pollu”. For example if I have to type “wordlo type chesanu” I want ‘word’ with pollu. But the software combines the ‘lo’ with it, unless I give space. How to overcome this problem?

    I S Rao | 10:17 am on the 11th of March, 2008

  5. @I S Rao

    In Inscript layout, Ctrl + Shift + 2 inserts the zero width non-joiner character. So for your problem, after typing ‘word’ press Ctrl + Shift + 2, then type ‘lo’.

    However this may not work when you type in browser. Try in Notepad or Word.

    Veeven | 3:55 am on the 12th of March, 2008

  6. @veeven

    Thanks for the solution. It worked.

    I S Rao | 8:25 am on the 13th of March, 2008

  7. i have joined ur group.i just love telugu as a
    language. what are there to explore?

    sudha koushik | 9:53 am on the 19th of March, 2008

  8. I am composing Telugu Keyboard in MSKLC. But MSKLC is not supporting two Unicodes for Dead Key compose. Please solve my problem, how to compose tow different unicodes in Dead Key. Thank you.

    Praveen

    Praveen Kumar | 2:34 pm on the 20th of March, 2008

  9. Sir,

    I want to use Anu Script with “ROMA” key board lay out. Have you any suggestions for me. I am using Office 2007, but the ANU SCRIPT V.7 is not justifying my typed documents.

    Mohd. Shareef | 1:35 am on the 26th of March, 2008

  10. Mohd. Shareef, I do not know the answer myself because I do not use Anu Script Manager. You can ask for help in Computer Era Chat.

    Veeven | 8:21 am on the 30th of April, 2008

  11. Praveen, sorry to be late on this.

    But, what Telugu letters are actually the problem for you in getting in MSKLC? Also, what keyboard layout you are trying to make?

    I think we need to make few compromises with MSKLC.

    Veeven | 8:26 am on the 30th of April, 2008

  12. I have used Anu 7 for typing in MS Word 2007. The following are my observations:

    1. The new fonts added in Anu 7 after Anu 6 are only giving results, the old fonts, i.e available in Anu 6, like Anupama, Bapu, Ramana, Pallavi, Priyanka etc are not giving result, but the new fonts like Aradhana, amrutha, Rachana and the all other new ones are giving correct results.

    2. There is no much significant difference found between left alignment and justify, very little difference.

    Ch. Sivarama Prasad | 9:03 am on the 30th of April, 2008

  13. hellow Sir, I want Anuscript telugu applekey board in xp so where website free down load anuscript please send me.

    A.Srinivas | 3:23 am on the 16th of May, 2008

  14. A.Srinivas, see this: http://crossroads.koodali.org/2007/12/25/apple-keyboard-layout/

    Veeven | 3:31 am on the 16th of May, 2008

  15. hello friends, apple keyboard is Best. but initially it is tough to learn, later on it is very easy. I’m using apple keyboard from last 6 months.

    raj | 1:48 pm on the 11th of June, 2008

  16. Hi Veeven,

    I have Anu Graphic Software that works well in Windows 98, but it not run in XP, please help me.

    abc | 2:23 pm on the 12th of June, 2008

  17. abc, I think the new version should work on XP. However, I never used Anu software. You can probably ask in Computer Era forums.

    Veeven | 6:56 pm on the 12th of June, 2008

  18. Friends, I wish to instal Roma key board in my PC operating on vista to use Anu fonts ( anupama etc) Can any one give the step by step procedure?

    Jamardam | 11:16 am on the 8th of August, 2008

  19. Jamardham Gaaru, Anu Script Manager 7 will work perfectly on Windows Vista with all keyboard modules including Roma. If you are not getting Roma in your Anu Script Manager, it may be modified or pirated version. I am attaching a screenshot of Roma keyboard selection in my Vista system in the following link:

    http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/51/46834138eg6.png

    ABC Gaaru, you are using old version prior to Anu 6 and 7. That version donot have any setup file, you need to Add PS fonts in Adobe Type Manager manually. That old version does not works on XP. You need to install Anu 6 or Anu 7 for XP and Vista. If you want any clarification regarding this you can post your doubts in the following link:

    http://computerera.co.in/forum

    Nallamothu Sridhar
    COMPUTER ERA

    Sridhar Nallamothu | 11:27 pm on the 8th of August, 2008

  20. Thaks a lot. Had been searching for this as I use sree lipi at home, but always blog at work :-)

    ramana | 10:25 am on the 15th of September, 2008

  21. Best trasliteration scheme invented for encoding Telugu script in ASCII is the Rice Inverse Transliteration scheme (RIT). It used English characters intuitively & phonetically to type Telugu text in English.

    Native microsoft keyboard for the familiar Gautami fonts (that came with the keyboard layout manager suggested here) does not use an “intuitively phonetic” mappping scheme. One has to learn the key mappings explicitly – which deters most people from typing in Telugu.

    Kindly suggest how one can use RIT with this keyboard layout manager.

    Thanks,

    taaDEpalli hari kRshNa :-) , my name in RIT

    (“Tadepalli Hari Krishna”)

    Tadepalli Hari Krishna | 10:36 am on the 16th of October, 2008

  22. @Tadepalli Hari Krishna

    First off, these layouts I made are intended for people who are already using such layouts with Anu Script Manager, etc. For them, managing in two layouts is difficult (say for their usual work Apple layout and for unicode related work RIT or other layout). So, the ones I made would be handy.

    Of course, as you say, Phonetic way is the easiest to start.

    The native keyboard layout that comes with Windows is InScript, a standard made by Department of Electronics (of Government of India). It’s also known as DOE layout. It takes some time to learn it. Even typing tutors are available. Indian Government’s Department of IT is offering one for free (their Telugu site). Commercially, there is Anupama Typing.

    If we want a phonetic keyboard layout, we need to make one. But, there are other alternatives like Baraha and Aksharamala.

    There are some limitations in making a phonetic layout with MSKLC. We cannot use same key for different letters. For example, in RIT “A” would produce a different characters (either ఆ or ా based on its surrounding characters). Thinking in terms of keyboard layout, we need a modifier, like Shift, or a dead key. Why not try making a phonetic layout yourself.

    Veeven | 7:31 pm on the 16th of October, 2008

  23. how to get a telugu web site using html scripting
    please tell the eaier way of software to create pages in telugu and how to add css style sheet to the text

    please

    k.balreddy | 11:49 am on the 13th of November, 2008

  24. how to create a telugu website using html scripting
    which is the easier software to create and how to add a text in the script and how to add a css style sheet as if we add in our regular html pages

    please if any one have idea please post asap urgent

    i want to develop a site in telugu

    thanks
    regards
    balreddy

    k.balreddy | 11:52 am on the 13th of November, 2008

  25. k. balreddy,

    Creating a Telugu website is no different from creating English sites. You can use same software, except that you type the text in Telugu. See, various tools available for typing in Telugu.

    If you have no idea of web designing and development, please start from w3schools.com

    Veeven | 8:49 pm on the 4th of December, 2008

  26. hai sir,naku anu script manager 7.0 link dorakadam ledu daya chei naku pampinchagalaru naa id

    dileep | 12:55 am on the 24th of December, 2008

  27. dileep,

    I do not think Anu Script Manager is available for free download. You need to buy it. To know locations where you can buy, see in the contact page of Anu Graphic Systems.

    Veeven | 7:29 pm on the 25th of December, 2008

  28. Hi Veeven

    I am using a Modular key board. First thing is am not an expert on system. Today I installed Aksharamala to use Telugu fonts. I followed all the steps which is in this page. After completing all the things am not able to type Telugu characters peperly. For example … I need to type “a” twice to get the telugu letter “aa”. And not getting vathulu properly. Kindly suggest me what to do.

    Anil Kumar Mulpuru | 2:47 am on the 2nd of March, 2009

  29. @Anil Kumar

    If you did not already know Modular layout, that is not the best thing to start with. Try Inscript.

    By default, Aksharamala comes with RTS layout. To get aa, you need to type aa or A. You can type vattulu as follows: for akka, type akka; for other words you can just type prEma, mukti, etc.

    Veeven | 5:39 am on the 2nd of March, 2009

  30. I have ileap telugu software, i know typing telugu, theefore i am using keyboard of telugu while typing ileap telugu software. Kindly help anyone the exact keyboard layout and send to my mail please. I NEED ILEAP TELUGU KEYBOARD FOR TYPING. AM USING TYPING MODE. KINDLY SEND TO MY EMAIL I.D. THE WHICH KEY BELONGS TO WHICH IMPRESSON. PLEASE

    M.SRINIVASAN | 10:58 pm on the 6th of May, 2009

  31. Adbutham!

    I am searching for the Modular Keyboard to type in Windows. At last I found it in this site. Thanks for the development. Keep Roccckking

    Ganeshq | 6:42 am on the 6th of October, 2009

  32. hi i am sachin Dhalgade php developer from pune. i use shree font in my script(web page form). typing problem occurs in my script. if i use shree licence product copy PC then when i type some words type good but later text not match shree font means type other characters. i not understand this problem but when i type in ms-word with shree fond and copy and paste in my form field then it’s ok but i cant use this method
    so can you help me

    sachin

    [Veeven: I didn't have much experience with Shree fonts. But, I can advice you to depend on Unicode (instead of proprietory encodings) for web development. You would save a lot of headache. Please read The Absolute Minimum Every Software Developer Absolutely, Positively Must Know About Unicode and Character Sets (No Excuses!).]

    Sachin Dhalgade | 1:32 am on the 12th of November, 2009

  33. Hi, I have Anu Script Manager 6.0. Could you please give me the hints as to how to type Telugu using ‘Roma’ Keyboard. For example, I don’t know how to type ‘ta’ in pattanamu (City). I would be grateful if you could give me the full list of such hints to type in Telugu.

    [Veeven: Sorry, I myself never used Roma keyboard layout. And, I didn't have that layout with me. I cannot help you.]

    David Mende | 2:53 am on the 18th of November, 2009

  34. @ M.SRINIVASAN:

    http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9710/ileap.jpg

    See this image. It will clear your ileap typing problem.
    Nj (capital N small j) gives ini, dny gives inya, dot r gives bandi ra.

    @David:
    I dont know about Anu SM 6. But in ASM7 q gives ta, qfq gives tta. ] gives shri, x gives shtra @ roo, @ gives ru ^ gives ppu in pappu | (shift +back slash key) gives ou (Ex:Avunu)

    If you go on typing all keys including by holding shift you will realise which key gives which letter.

    Still I am unable to find some key strokes for letters like Ksha, kow, gna (Gnapakam) etc. Hope some one will reply for this.

    Anand Kumar Reddy, Chennai | 5:33 am on the 22nd of November, 2009

  35. @dileep,

    View this Google cached page:

    http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:-HnUX08BHCAJ:www.lazydesis.com/software/42402-anu-script-manager-7-0-telugu.html+%22anu+script+manager+7%22+%2B+rapidshare.com/files&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in

    Anand Kumar Reddy, Chennai | 5:43 am on the 22nd of November, 2009

  36. Dear Veeven, thanks for your reply. Could you please send me other keyboard layouts, i.e., DOE Phonetic, Apple, Modular. Thank you!

    David Mende | 7:21 am on the 23rd of November, 2009

  37. k shift v gives ‘kou’
    I am still looking for a solution for ksha and gna. Presently a am creating these letters in DOE and copying. Can any one suggest a direct method for ROMA?

    jamardam | 2:33 am on the 29th of December, 2009

  38. @ Anand Kumar Reddy:

    Thanks for your input brother.

    David Mende | 3:01 am on the 29th of December, 2009

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