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121. How is 'ntu' softened in the case of many verbs?
It becomes 'nnu', particularly after crude-forms ending
in 'a'.
Ex: (nikakka) nikannu (= was level); (kiṭakka) kiṭannu (=lay);
parannu (= spread); pir̥annu (= was born); chumannu (= bore);
aḷannu (= measured); višannu (= was hungry).
122. Into what is 'ntu' softened after crude-forms en-
ding in a palatal vowel?
It becomes 'ńńu'.
Ex: (kari) karińńu (=charred); (chi) chíńńu (=became rotten);
páńńu (= ran); méńńu (= grazed intr.); tóńńu.
123. Into what is 'nlu' softened when it follows roots
ending in ra, la, r̥a, zha, ḷa?
As follows:
i) 'rntu' becomes 'nnu'.
Ex: (chér) chérnnu (= joined); takarnnu (= split, break in
pieces).
ii) 'lntu' becomes 'nnu'.
Ex: (chel) chennu (= went, moved); konnu (= killed).
iii) nntu' becomes 'nnu'.
Ex: (tín) tinnu (= ate); ennu (= said).
iv) 'ḷntu' becomes ṇṭu.
Ex: (ál) áṇṭu (= ruled); víṇṭu (=gained, won); koṇṭu (=took).
v) 'zhuntu' becomes 'ṇu', 'ṇṇu'.
Ex: (ázhu, áṇu) umiṇṇu (=spat); pukaṇṇu (pukaḷnnu) (=spat).
124. Are there any exceptions to these rules?
There are. Some irregularities may be briefly noticed.
