TUS 6.0 p 310 (p 342 of PDF) says:
"""the Malayalam cluster <ra, virama, C2> normally assumes the C2
conjoining form."""
IIUC this is wrong. In fonts like Rachana, Lohit Malayalam etc on my
Kubuntu Natty system the sequences like RA + Virama + CA, RA + Virama +
TA etc are displayed only as RA + Candrakala + CA, RA + Candrakala + TA.
If a dot reph is desired, the new dot reph character should be used, and
if the chillu is desired, the separate chillu character should be used
(as per current standard).
Given this, do native Malayalis expect RA + Virama + CONSONANT to
present regular RA with the sub/post-base form i.e. C2-conjoining form
of CONSONANT and it is the fonts that are not up to the mark?
--
Shriramana Sharma
