Do you need to write Malayalam by hand? For communication, no. For memory and reading, yes. Handwriting builds motor memory for letter shapes, so you recognise letters faster when you read. This class covers the four-line notebook, the loop as the basic gesture of a curved palm-leaf script, copying a live hand, and a four-week order that runs from vowels through the consonant rows to chillus and conjuncts. Write your own name first. Words and phrases in this class: എഴുതുക (ezhuthuka) – to write പേന (pena) – pen പെൻസിൽ (pencil) – pencil നോട്ട്ബുക്ക് (notebook) – notebook അ ആ ഇ ഈ (a aa i ee) – the first vowels ക ഖ ഗ ഘ ങ (ka kha ga gha nga) – the first consonant row ട ഠ ഡ ഢ ണ (ta tta da dda na) – the retroflex row അവൾ (aval) – she (ends in the chillu ൾ) ക്ക (kka) – conjunct: double k ക്ഷ (ksha) – conjunct: ksha എന്റെ പേര് മലയാളത്തിൽ എഴുതിത്തരാമോ? (ente peru malayaalathil ezhuthitharaamo?) – could you write my name in Malayalam for me? In this class: • Why handwriting helps you read, even if you rarely write • Loops: ten minutes of the basic gesture before any letter • A four-week letter order, from vowels to conjuncts • Write your name first, and how to ask a Malayali to model it Quizzes below. Dr. Reshmi R Nair — SpeakMalayalam.