Master Writing 49 Kannada Letters (Aksharamale) with Easy Audio & Tracing | ಕನ್ನಡ ಅಕ್ಷರ ಬರೆದು ಕಲಿಯಿರಿ

Master Kannada Letters (Kannada Alphabet) with our free interactive tool! Trace each letter on your screen, listen to native audio 🔊, and learn the full Aksharamale today.

Introduction to Kannada Letters

Learning a new language is a gateway to a new culture, and for the Dravidian languages of South India, that journey begins with the script. If you are looking to learn the Kannada alphabet (Kannada Aksharamale), you have come to the right place.

Unlike English, where spelling can be chaotic (think of “put” vs. “cut”), Kannada is a phonetic language. What you write is exactly what you speak. This makes learning to read and write Kannada surprisingly scientific and logical once you understand the basics.

Whether you are a complete beginner, a parent teaching your child, or a traveler visiting Karnataka, this guide will help you master the Kannada Varnamale (alphabet) using our exclusive interactive tracing tool.

Why Learn the Kannada Script?

Kannada is one of India’s Classical Languages, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. It is spoken by over 50 million people globally. The script itself evolved from the ancient Kadamba script and is known for its beautiful, rounded curves—a style originally developed to prevent tearing the delicate palm leaves that were used for writing in ancient times.

Mastering these 49 letters unlocks access to a rich world of literature, poetry, and daily conversation in Bengaluru and beyond.

Interactive Tool: Practice Writing Kannada Letters

Reading is one thing, but writing helps your brain memorize the shapes. We have built a custom tool to help you practice.

How to use this tool:

1. Click any letter to open the writing pad.
2. Trace the letter with your finger (on mobile) or mouse (on PC).
3. Listen to the native pronunciation by clicking the audio button.

(Practice is the key to perfection. Try writing each letter at least 3 times!)

Understanding the Structure of the Kannada Alphabet

The Kannada alphabet is strictly organized based on how sounds are produced in the mouth. It contains 49 letters, divided into three specific categories: Swaragalu (Vowels), Vyanjanagalu (Consonants), and Yogavahakagalu (Part-vowel/Part-consonant).

A. Swaragalu (Vowels)

There are 13 vowels in modern Kannada. These are the lifeblood of the language. A consonant cannot have a sound without a vowel attached to it.

• Short Vowels (Hrasva): Produced with a short breath (e.g., a, i, u, e, o – ಅ, ಇ, ಉ, ಋ, ಎ, ಒ).
• Long Vowels (Deergha): Produced by dragging the sound (e.g., aa, ee, oo – ಆ, ಈ, ಊ).

Tip: Pay close attention to the difference between ಎ (e) and ಏ (ē). The slight drag in sound changes the meaning of words entirely!

B. Vyanjanagalu (Consonants)

There are 34 consonants, grouped scientifically by “place of articulation”—which means where your tongue touches your mouth to produce the sound.

• Velars (k-series): Sounds from the back of the throat (e.g., ಕ – ka).
• Palatals (ch-series): Tongue touches the roof of the mouth (e.g., ಚ – cha).
• Retroflex (t-series): The tongue curls back (e.g., ಟ – ta). This specific sound is unique to Indian languages and gives Kannada its distinct distinct accent.
• Dentals (t-series): Tongue touches the teeth (e.g., ತ – tha).
• Labials (p-series): Lips come together (e.g., ಪ – pa).
• other Vyanjans – Ya, ra, la, va, sh, sha, sa, ha, la – ಯ, ರ, ಲ, ವ, ಶ, ಷ, ಸ, ಹ, ಳ

C. Yogavahakagalu

These are two special modifiers:

• Anusvara ( ಅಂ ): The “hm” or “n” sound (as in Amba).
• Visarga ( ಅಃ ): A breathy “ha” sound, mostly used in Sanskrit-derived words.

D. What about Ksha, Tra, and Jna?

Many of us grew up seeing three extra letters at the end of the alphabet chart: ಕ್ಷ (Ksha), ತ್ರ (Tra), and ಜ್ಞ (Jna). You might be wondering why they aren’t in the main list above.

These are technically not independent letters, but Samyuktakshara (Conjunct Consonants)—combinations of two consonants.

• ಕ್ಷ (Ksha): A mix of ಕ್ (k) + ಷ್ (sha).
• ತ್ರ (Tra): A mix of ತ್ (t) + ರ್ (ra).
• ಜ್ಞ (Jna): A mix of ಜ್ (j) + ಞ (nya).

Because they have unique shapes that don’t look like the standard “stacked” conjuncts, they were traditionally taught as special letters. However, in modern grammar, they are treated as combinations.

Tips to Master Kannada Handwriting

If you are finding the curves difficult, don’t worry. Here are four professional tips to improve your handwriting:

1. Start with the Circle: Many Kannada letters (like ಠ, ರ, ಬ) are based on a circle. If you can draw a perfect circle, you are halfway there.
2. The “Talakattu” (Headstroke): You will notice a small horizontal line on top of many letters (like ಕ, ಗ). This is called the Talakattu. Always draw the body of the letter first, and add the Talakattu last.
3. Don’t Lift Your Pen/Finger: Kannada flow is continuous. Try to write the main shape in a single, fluid motion rather than breaking it into stick figures.
4. Listen and Repeat: Use the audio feature in the tool above. Your brain connects the motion of your hand with the sound in your ear.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Confusing similar letters: Be careful with ಬ (ba) and ಭ (bha). The small slit in the circle makes a huge difference in pronunciation!

Ignoring the “Retroflex” sounds: In English, “T” and “D” are usually dental. In Kannada, ಟ (Ta) and ಡ (Da) require you to curl your tongue back. This distinction is vital for sounding like a native speaker.

Once you master letters, check out our guide: learn Kannada Words with Meaning + Audio prononciation

Conclusion

Learning the Kannada Aksharamale is a rewarding challenge. It serves as the foundation for reading bus signs in Bengaluru, enjoying Kannada movies, or connecting with your heritage.

Bookmark this page and use the interactive tracer daily. Just 10 minutes of practice a day can help you master the script in less than two weeks.

Shubha vagali! (Good luck!)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)