Telugu Typing - A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Keyboard PART 3: Handling Conjunct Characters (Gunintalu and Vattulu)

Conjunct characters in Telugu add depth and precision to the script, especially in formal writing. Telugu uses two important combinations: Gunintalu (vowel-modified consonants) and Vattulu (consonant clusters). When two or more consonants merge with the help of the Halant (Virama), they form conjunct characters.

What Are Conjunct Characters?
Conjunct characters are created when one consonant joins another without a vowel sound in between. This produces a compact symbol that represents a combined pronunciation.

Common examples include:
• క + ్ + ష = క్ష (ksha)
• ద + ్ + ధ = ద్ధ (ddha)
• త + ్ + ర = త్ర (tra)
• ప + ్ + త = ప్త (pta)

How to Type Conjunct Characters
Typing conjunct characters follows a simple sequence:

  1. Type the first consonant (for example, క using the ‘k’ key).

  2. Add the Halant/Virama (్) to remove the inherent vowel. On InScript keyboards, this is usually typed by pressing the ‘]’ key.

  3. Type the second consonant, such as ష (pressed using ‘x’).

The final output becomes: క్ష (ksha).

Examples of Telugu Words with Conjunct Characters
These characters appear frequently in everyday and classical Telugu words:
• శ్రీ (Sri)
• పండిత్ (Pandit)
• భక్తి (Bhakti)

Mastering conjunct characters is essential for accurate and professional Telugu typing, especially in literature, documentation, and formal communication.