Calligraphy

Calligraphy can be defined as the art of writing beautifully. It encompasses or is influential to book designing, manuscript of books, bookbinding, typeface designing, logo designing, sign making, beautiful handwriting, calligraphy as illustration, calligraphy as artistic expression, etc.

There are various forms of calligraphy like Western, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, Indian, Nepalese, Tibetan, Islamic, Thai, Persian, Georgian, Mayan calligraphy, etc. The relevance of calligraphy lies in the human need for expression which may be through mark making, symbols, designing, drawing, painting and crafting. Calligraphy is still flourishing today in the forms of wedding and event invitations, graphic designing, cut stone inscriptions, commissioned calligraphic art and memorial documents. It is also used for props and moving images for film and television, testimonials, birth and death certificates, maps and other written works.

Modern calligraphy ranges from functional inscriptions and designs to fine-art pieces where the letters may or may not be eligible. Typography and non-classical hand-lettering is different from classical calligraphy. Charters and letters patent issued by monarchs and officers of state in various countries are the finest works of modern calligraphy.

Calligraphy covers a huge area of studies, science and art. There are many institutes in India which offer workshops and courses on calligraphy. One such institute is Calligraphy India with its branches spread over to Munirka and Dwarka in Delhi and Kolkata in West Bengal. The Dwarka branch offers a basic course, basic+ course, intermediate, advance and teacher course on calligraphy and the fee structure varies according to the course taken. The Teacher Training Course is for those who want to establish their own training institutes of calligraphy and has a duration of three months. Historical introduction, tools and material, letter forms, using the pen, spacing, general principles of layout, resists, washes and backgrounds, pen patterns, paper work, gilding, using different tools and materials are the topics to be covered during the course.

Various calligraphy workshops are held in different parts of the country like Goa, Surat, Rasayani, Mumbai, etc. at different times of the year.

Calligraphy is an art form in which patience and attention to detail are more important than artistic talent. M. Ahrar Hindi, born in Jharkhand, is a master Persian calligrapher of India. Those who have learnt this art have always been gainers, not losers and as an art, it will remain in great demand. It can be taken up as a hobby which can provide one with financial gains.