NC fonts are built on a simple “one‑key = one‑visible‑character” logic. For example, to type the word “வானம்” (sky) using a standard Unicode Tamil keyboard, you would type:
வ+ா+ன்+ம்
In an NC font, the person who created the font has pre‑drawn every possible syllable combination and mapped them to specific, easy‑to‑reach keys on a standard English (QWERTY) keyboard. So instead of typing consonants + vowel signs, you might type:
v,p,j,k
…and the font instantly shows the complete syllable.
This is why NC fonts are also called “typewriter‑style” or “ASCII‑based” Tamil fonts.
Here lies the most critical issue with NC Font Tamil today: Compatibility.
If you type a document using NC Poonga font and send the .doc file to a friend who does not have that font installed, they will see only garbled ASCII text (e.g., kUf; fhak;). Worse, if you convert that file to PDF without embedding the font, the text becomes unselectable or corrupted. nc font tamil
Let’s look at how typing works. In Unicode, the letter "Ka" (க் + அ) is a logical combination. In NC Font, it is a single, pre-composed character.
Example Typing Table (Standard NC Mapping):
| English Keypress | NC Font Output (Glyph) | Unicode Equivalent |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| k | க் (Consonant K) | U+0B95 + U+0BCD |
| k; | க (Ka - vowel added) | U+0B95 |
| f | த் (Consonant Tha) | U+0BA4 + U+0BCD |
| M | ஸ்ரீ (Sri) | U+0BB8 + U+0BCD + U+0BB0 + U+0BC0 |
| H | ஃ (Aytham) | U+0B83 |
Note: The exact mapping varies. Some NC versions use "Shift + letter," while others use punctuation keys (like ; or ,) to add vowels.
Several proprietary encoding systems existed:
The NC fonts emerged as a superior DTP solution because they were visually consistent. Newspapers like Dina Thanthi and Dina Malar adopted NC fonts for their classifieds and news columns. The fonts were optimized for low-resolution printers, ensuring that even at 9-point size, the aaram (hook) on characters like கா and தா remained distinct. NC fonts are built on a simple “one‑key
Older versions of PageMaker had native NC support. You can export the text to RTF and run a batch conversion script.
If you want to edit a Unicode document in an old NC DTP program:
NC fonts are a practical solution for legacy printing and simple desktop publishing. They are not technically “wrong”—just older technology. If you are starting a new project today, strongly prefer Unicode Tamil. But if you have old NC font files and just need to print a wedding invitation or a notice board design, NC fonts still work perfectly.
Remember: Always tell the printer or the person receiving your file that you used an NC font—and share the font file along with your document.
To generate solid, readable text using a Tamil NC font (often referring to Non-Unicode fonts like , or specific
encodings commonly used in older software), you typically need to use a converter or specific software. வ + ா + ன் + ம்
Since NC (Non-Unicode) fonts map Tamil characters to standard English keyboard keys (e.g., typing "a" might produce "அ"), the "solid text" you generate depends on your goal—whether you want a bold aesthetic or technically valid text. 1. Generating Bold "Solid" Text If "solid" refers to a bold, heavy-weight
look for graphic design or headings, you should look for the "Bold" variant of these common NC fonts: Baamini Bold : The industry standard for traditional Tamil typing. : Known for its clean, modern look in print media. TAM/TAB Series : Often includes heavy weights like TAM-Kalyani TAM-Valluvar 2. How to "Generate" the Text
Because NC fonts are not standard on modern web browsers or mobile devices, you cannot just copy-paste "Tamil text" into them; it will appear as garbled English characters. To get solid results: Online Converters : Use a tool like the Azhagi Unicode to Non-Unicode Converter
to transform standard Unicode Tamil (like the text in this response) into the specific character string your NC font requires. Tamil Text Generators : Apps like Tamil Text Fonts on Google Play
allow you to generate stylized Tamil text that can sometimes be exported for use with specific fonts [0.5.2). 3. Recommended NC Font Alternatives
If you are looking for high-quality, "solid" (reliable) Tamil fonts that work on modern systems without conversion issues, these Unicode alternatives are highly recommended: Noto Sans Tamil
: A clean, "solid" unmodulated design with multiple weights.
: A standard modern typeface used for official documents like Aadhaar cards. : The default high-quality Tamil font for Apple devices. Sample Solid Tamil Text (for testing)