Grantha is the name applied to the script used in Tamil Nadu for writing the Sanskrit language. The word Grantha denotes in Sanskrita literary work. Evidently the script used for writing the Sanskrit works obtained the same name. At one time it was prevalent throughout South India. When the Malayalam language began to freely borrow words as well as the rules of grammar from Sanskrit, this script was adopted for writing that language and was known as Arya Ezhuthu . Thus, a similar adoption for writing was also made in the Tulu speaking region.

Both Grantha and Tamil scripts appear alike in modern forms. The evolution of both scripts from Brahmi was also more or less similar.The development of Grantha script in Tamil Nadu may be divided into four periods.The archaic and ornamental, the transitional, the medieval and the modern. Archaic and ornamental variety is commonly known as Pallava Grantha. Mahendravarman's Tiruchirappalli rock cut cave and other cave temple inscriptions, Narasimhan's Mamallapuram, Kanchi Kailasanatha and Saluvankuppam temple inscriptions, Mutharaiyar's Senthalai inscriptions are examples of this variety.