Tataa is a consonant of the Gurmukhi alphabet.

Gurmukhi Pronunciation Guide

Tataa is a consonant of the Gurmukhi script of Gurbani and identical to the Punjabi alphabet. Tataa represents the sound of T sounds and is said like ta-taw, with emphasis on the second syllable, and is pronounced with the tongue pressed against the back of the upper teeth. No air is felt when the hand is held in front of the lips. The Romanized spelling of Tataa is phonetic and may also appear spelled as Tatta.

Spellings may differ slightly in original Gurmukhi as well as Romanized and English translations of Gurbani.

Significance in Sikh Scripture

Sikh scripture includes acrostic form of poetic verse written by first Guru Nanak as a young boy when given a homework assignment in school by his teacher to write the alphabet. His teacher expressed astonishment when the child Nanak Dev wrote:

• "Tatai taaroo bhavajal hoaa taa kaa ant na paa-i-aa ||
  TATTA: So deep is the terrible world-ocean, its limits cannot be found." SGGS||433

Other acrostic verses in Gurbani include:

"Tataa taa sio preet kar gun nidh gobid ra-ae ||
TATTA: Enshrine love for that Treasure of Excellence who is the Universal Sovereign Lord." Guru Arjun Dev SGGS||256

"Tataa atar tario-oo neh jaa-ee ||
TATTA: The treacherous world-ocean cannot be crossed over." Kabir SGGS||341