Advanced Deep Learning OCR Algorithm for Deciphering and Digitizing Chola Period Tamil Inscriptions

The Tamil inscriptions of the Chola are important in terms of conserving historical, cultural and linguistic history of the area. It could be tedious and time-consuming to read these inscriptions with the hand though. This paper discusses a customized Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system that facilitates easier digitization and transcription of old Tamil inscriptions. The solution is considered to be a combination of the YOLOv8, Tensorflow, and PyTorch systems that will promote the effectiveness of character recognition, segmentation, and detection. Our experiment with the method on a number of the inscriptions of the Chola-period was 94.7 percent, 93.5 percent, and 95.2 percent correct, precise, and recalled. The average time of processing each picture was 2.8 seconds. This model is more effective in dealing with broken inscriptions, complex backgrounds and mixed character styles than those that preceded it. The proposed OCR approach is appropriate to facilitate easier study and preservation of the Tamil cultural heritage as the epigraphers, archaeologists and researchers can scan and save these ancient manuscripts.