Varnamala and Mukhandar

Overview

Varnamala (ਵਰਣਮਾਲਾ) refers to the alphabet system of the Punjabi language written in Gurmukhi script, while Mukhandar (ਮੁਖੰਦਰ) refers to the vowel symbols (matras) used with consonants to modify their sounds. For PSTET Language I candidates opting for Punjabi medium, this topic forms the foundation of all grammar questions. Examiners frequently test knowledge of letter count, letter classification, correct pronunciation rules, and the proper application of vowel signs.

Gurmukhi script was standardised by Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Sikh Guru, in the 16th century. The script is phonetic in nature — each symbol represents one sound — making it logical and consistent. Understanding the structure of Varnamala and the rules of Mukhandar is essential not only for answering direct questions but also for teaching primary students how to read and write Punjabi correctly.

Mastery of this topic requires memorising the 35 letters, 10 vowel symbols, 3 additional consonants (ਸ਼, ਖ਼, ਗ਼, ਜ਼, ਫ਼, ਲ਼), and understanding the classification based on place and manner of articulation (ucharan sthan).

Key Concepts

• **Gurmukhi script has 35 standard letters** — 3 vowel carriers (ੳ, ਅ, ੲ) called Swar, and 32 consonants called Vianjan. The name "Gurmukhi" means "from the mouth of the Guru."

• **Ura, Aira, Iri (ੳ, ਅ, ੲ)** are vowel carriers — they do not have independent consonant sounds but serve as bases for vowel signs at the start of words.

• **The 32 consonants (Vianjan)** are arranged in systematic groups called Varg based on the place of articulation in the mouth — Kanthya (throat), Talvya (palate), Murdhanya (roof), Dantya (teeth), and Oshthya (lips).

• **Mukhandar comprises 10 vowel symbols (Laga-Matra)** that attach to consonants to change the vowel sound: Kanna (ਾ), Sihari (ਿ), Bihari (ੀ), Aunkar (ੁ), Dulankar (ੂ), Lavan (ੇ), Dulavan (ੈ), Hora (ੋ), Kanaura (ੌ), and Adhak (ੱ) for gemination.

• **Tippi (ੰ) and Bindi (ਂ)** are nasal markers — Tippi is used with short vowels; Bindi is used with long vowels. Both indicate nasalisation.

• **Pairin letters (ਹ੍, ਰ੍, ਵ੍)** are half-letters written below a consonant to form conjunct sounds, common in words borrowed from Sanskrit or for specific Punjabi sounds.

• **Six borrowed consonants** with a dot (nukta) — ਸ਼ (sha), ਖ਼ (kha), ਗ਼ (gha), ਜ਼ (za), ਫ਼ (fa), ਲ਼ (lla) — are used for sounds not native to Punjabi but found in Persian, Arabic, or English loanwords.

• **Ucharan Sthan (place of articulation)** helps classify letters and is important for understanding phonetics in language pedagogy.

Formulas / Key Facts

| Category | Count | Examples | |----------|-------|----------| | Total standard letters | 35 | ੳ, ਅ, ੲ + 32 consonants | | Swar (vowel carriers) | 3 | ੳ (Ura), ਅ (Aira), ੲ (Iri) | | Vianjan (consonants) | 32 | ਸ, ਹ, ਕ, ਖ, ਗ ... ੜ | | Laga-Matra (vowel signs) | 10 | Kanna, Sihari, Bihari, etc. | | Nukta-wale letters | 6 | ਸ਼, ਖ਼, ਗ਼, ਜ਼, ਫ਼, ਲ਼ | | Nasal markers | 2 | Tippi (ੰ), Bindi (ਂ) |

**Varg Classification of Consonants:**

• Kanthya Varg (throat): ਕ, ਖ, ਗ, ਘ, ਙ
• Talvya Varg (palate): ਚ, ਛ, ਜ, ਝ, ਞ
• Murdhanya Varg (roof): ਟ, ਠ, ਡ, ਢ, ਣ
• Dantya Varg (teeth): ਤ, ਥ, ਦ, ਧ, ਨ
• Oshthya Varg (lips): ਪ, ਫ, ਬ, ਭ, ਮ
• Antasth: ਯ, ਰ, ਲ, ਵ
• Ushman: ਸ, ਸ਼, ਹ
• Others: ੜ (retroflex flap, unique to Punjabi)

**Vowel Signs with ਕ (Ka) as example:**

• ਕ (ka) + ਾ = ਕਾ (kaa)
• ਕ + ਿ = ਕਿ (ki) — Sihari goes before the letter
• ਕ + ੀ = ਕੀ (kee)
• ਕ + ੁ = ਕੁ (ku)
• ਕ + ੂ = ਕੂ (koo)
• ਕ + ੇ = ਕੇ (ke)
• ਕ + ੈ = ਕੈ (kai)
• ਕ + ੋ = ਕੋ (ko)
• ਕ + ੌ = ਕੌ (kau)

Worked Examples

**Example 1: Identify the Varg** *Question:* Which Varg does the letter ਝ belong to?

*Solution:*

• Look at the consonant arrangement
• ਝ comes in the sequence ਚ, ਛ, ਜ, ਝ, ਞ
• This is the Talvya Varg (palatal sounds)
• **Answer: Talvya Varg**

**Example 2: Count vowel signs** *Question:* How many vowel signs (matras) are there in the word ਮੁਹੱਬਤਾਂ?

*Solution:*

• ਮ + ੁ (Aunkar) = ਮੁ — 1 matra
• ਹ — no matra
• ਬ + ੱ (Adhak) = ੱਬ — 1 matra (Adhak counts)
• ਤ + ਾ (Kanna) = ਤਾ — 1 matra
• ਂ (Bindi for nasalisation) = ਾਂ — nasal marker
• **Answer: 3 vowel signs + 1 nasal marker**

**Example 3: Position of Sihari** *Question:* Where is Sihari (ਿ) placed when writing a word?

*Solution:*

• Unlike other matras that go after, above, or below the consonant, Sihari is written before the consonant it modifies
• Example: The word "ਲਿਖਣਾ" (to write) — Sihari appears before ਲ in writing order but the sound "li" is pronounced after ਲ
• **Answer: Sihari is placed before the consonant in written form but sounds after it**

Common Mistakes

• **Confusing total letter count** — Students often say 35 letters including vowel signs. Wrong. The 35 letters are Swar + Vianjan only. Laga-Matra (10) are counted separately.

• **Sihari placement error** — Writing Sihari after the consonant like other matras. Correct: Sihari always precedes the consonant visually (ਕਿ not ਕਿ*).

• **Mixing Tippi and Bindi** — Using Bindi with short vowels or Tippi with long vowels. Correct: Tippi (ੰ) goes with short vowels (ਕੰਮ); Bindi (ਂ) goes with long vowels or Kanna (ਕਾਂ).

• **Forgetting Nukta letters** — Ignoring ਸ਼, ਖ਼, ਗ਼, ਜ਼, ਫ਼, ਲ਼ or not recognising that these are distinct sounds used in borrowed words. These are tested in spelling and pronunciation questions.

• **Ignoring ੜ (Rara)** — Assuming ੜ is just a variant of ਰ. Correct: ੜ is a distinct retroflex flap sound unique to Punjabi and is the 35th letter, placed at the end of the alphabet.

Quick Reference

• **35 letters** = 3 Swar (ੳ, ਅ, ੲ) + 32 Vianjan
• **10 Laga-Matra** — Kanna, Sihari, Bihari, Aunkar, Dulankar, Lavan, Dulavan, Hora, Kanaura, Adhak
• **Sihari is the only matra written before the consonant**
• **Tippi (ੰ) = short vowel nasalisation; Bindi (ਂ) = long vowel nasalisation**
• **5 Varg × 5 letters = 25 core consonants** + 7 additional (ਯ, ਰ, ਲ, ਵ, ਸ, ਹ, ੜ)
• **Guru Angad Dev Ji standardised the Gurmukhi script**