Vyanjan (Consonants)

• There are 33 consonants in Hindi alphabets (Varnmala)
• We further have 4 Sanskrit and 7 dotted letters giving us a total 44 Consonants
• Consonants are presented in vertical and horizontal groups.

Arrangements

Vertically, the consonant sounds alternate between unaspirated and aspirated versions (pronounced with a puff of air) and end with a nasal form.

Horizontally, the consonants are grouped into rows according to the speech organs from which these sounds are generated.

Pronunciation

The first row consonants are sounded from the throat.

The second row, palatal consonants are generated by the middle of the tongue touching the palate.

The third row retroflex consonants are created by folding the tongue to touch palate and then flipping it forward.

The fourth row dental consonants are sounded by the tip of the tongue touching the teeth from within.

Labial consonants in the fifth row are created using the lips.