A scientific writing system crafted by Dr. Tony Koyu for the Adi, Nyishi, Galo, Tagin, Apatani & Mishing tribes — giving a written voice to over 13 lakh speakers.
Dr. Tony Koyu presenting Tanilipi literature
For generations, the rich Tani languages lived only in memory — sung by elders, told by firelight, never written down.
On 2 June 2000, indigenous social scientist Dr. Tony Koyu unveiled Tanilipi — a carefully engineered writing system tuned to the exact phonetics of Tani speech.
In 2001, the script was presented before academics at NERIST.
“Writing our mother tongue was never just about letters — it is about giving our people their voice back.”
— DR. TONY KOYU
Social scientist, linguist, author, singer — a lifetime devoted to the Tani renaissance.
Dr. Koyu at a radio interview on Tanilipi
An indigenous social scientist from Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Koyu devoted the prime of his life to a single conviction — that the Tani people deserved a script of their own. Years of research became Tanilipi, unveiled in 2000.
He has authored pioneering works — the novels Alv lvkw lo doomv and Yabur, and Ormen, a scripture of the Donyi-Polo faith — alongside novels in Hindi and English.
A celebrated Galo singer and lyricist, former MD of APIDFC, nominated for the Luminous Lummer Dai Literary Award 2026.
The world’s first novels written in the Tani script.
A sensational Galo-language novel — among the first long-form narratives ever composed in the Tani script.
An Adi-language novel that drew appreciation from Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Appreciated by Hon’ble CM Pema Khandu
A scripture on the Donyi-Polo faith — sacred wisdom in the people’s own letters.
The essential learning guide — master Tani Lipi step by step. Developed by Tony Koyu.
The script has gone digital. Type in Tanilipi with dedicated fonts and the official keyboard app.
The Tani Lipi keyboard app launched on Google Play in December 2023.
On 2 June 2000, Dr. Tony Koyu unveils Tanilipi to the world.
Presented before scholars at NERIST.
Novels, scriptures and learning guides appear in Tanilipi.
The typing app launches on Google Play.
tanilipi.in goes live.
Final stage of Unicode approval. Dream: 8th Schedule recognition.
Recognition of Tanilipi in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India.