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Thirukkural, a masterpiece of classical Tamil Poetry, is presented in this book in various styles of Tamil script demonstrating the evolution of the script in stone and copper-plate inscriptions over a period of two thousand years. Here is a book, which shows how Thirukkural would have been written in the various scripts over the centuries.

The authors present a novel and effective method of learning various styles of Tamil script. The early chapters of the Kural are written in the most recent form of the Tamil script, which was prevalent around 1500 AD. This form does not differ very much from the modern Tamil script. Successive chapters are written in styles of progressively earlier period thus making a smooth transition from period to period. Thus the Chola and the Pallava styles are gradually introduced. The last part of the Kural is written in the Tamil- Brahmi script - the script in which Thiruvalluvar would have written Thirukkural.

At the end of the book, charts showing the forms of letter in the different periods are provided.

Each Kural is also printed side by side in the modern Tamil script and the Roman script to enable those who are not familiar with the modern Tamil script to use the book. An English translation is also provided for each verse.

The book will be of immense value to any interested in Tamil language studies. For a long time, reading of inscriptions was confined to a few epigraphists. This book will make it easy for any educated layman to learn by himself the various styles of Tamil script. The ability to read the ancient forms of Tamil script, one hopes, will lead to proper identification and preservation of ancient monuments of India.