CALLIGRAPHY - History
Calligraphy means " Beautiful Writing". Calligraphy comes from Greek words " Kallos" means beauty and "Graphe" means writing. It is an art that devotes itself to stylistic lettering techniques that incorporates sleek lines to elaborate flourishes and ornamental lettering.
Calligraphy is not just about writing or creating the letters. It is about shaping each letter with style, technique, colour and size. The key element of calligraphy writing is the infusion of movement and fluidity into the letters.
Calligraphy is an art that can be practiced by anyone (young or old) who knows basic letters. Passion, patience and attention are more important than the artistic talent to learn calligraphy. i.e. you don't have to be an artist to be good at calligrapher. More over, calligraphy can be an inspiration to the dynamism and delight to see and it is one of the most enjoyable skill. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to use your calligraphy skills every time you write. Briefly, we can say calligraphy is really FUN.
Some 500 years ago i.e. before the invention of the printing press, the art of calligraphy technique was used to write the books.
In ancient times, Roman alphabets were used to practice calligraphy and influenced by the Phoenician and Greek alphabets for quiet some time.
In India, calligraphy were found in Sanskrit text written on palm leaves. Persian calligraphers were brought to India by the emperor Humayun and they worked with Hindu artists. The impact can be seen in many of the manuscripts and chronicles of the Mughals and also in the epics of 'Mahabharatham' and 'Ramayanam'. We can see some of the fine examples in Sikh's holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib'. The kufic style calligraphy can be found on the Qutub Minar in Arabic texts.
The Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka was the first King in India, whose edicts were carved on the stones and pillars and he was known as " PATRON of CALLIGRAPHY". After Ashoka period, two style of calligraphy were developed namely Kharoohii and Brahmi.
In the northwestern part of India, the Kharoohii style was used from 3rd B.C. to 4th A.D. and it was used up to 8th A.D. in the central part of Asia. The Brahmi text is the origin of Devanagari text. Here, 'Dev' means 'God' and 'Nagari' means 'City'. i.e. text from the God. Devanagari text writing style is left to right in horizontal travel position. India has a rich heritage of calligraphy in the form of monuments and documents.
The reverence of calligraphy lies in human need for expression through symbols and designs. Calligraphy influences in book designing, logo designing, sign making and beautifying handwriting especially in the case of students. It is also leisure activity. Learning calligraphy gives you a life time praise for your little initiative.
Handwriting is the mirror of one's character. By writing you can look in to the depth of a person. As our face is the index of our mind, our handwriting is mirror of our personality traits. Handwriting reveals more than what a common man can think about. i.e. handwriting is not only used to communicate but speaks a lot about our personality. Personality comprises a person's character, behaviour, goal orientation, negativity, frustration, communication level, energy level, fear, anxiety etc., i.e. Handwriting is unique to the one who writes it like fingerprints.
The art of calligraphy as a hobby is very fulfilling and you can have your own style and innovation too! You need patience, willingness and practice to learn this art.
Calligraphy is not just about writing or creating the letters. It is about shaping each letter with style, technique, colour and size. The key element of calligraphy writing is the infusion of movement and fluidity into the letters.
Calligraphy is an art that can be practiced by anyone (young or old) who knows basic letters. Passion, patience and attention are more important than the artistic talent to learn calligraphy. i.e. you don't have to be an artist to be good at calligrapher. More over, calligraphy can be an inspiration to the dynamism and delight to see and it is one of the most enjoyable skill. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to use your calligraphy skills every time you write. Briefly, we can say calligraphy is really FUN.
Some 500 years ago i.e. before the invention of the printing press, the art of calligraphy technique was used to write the books.
In ancient times, Roman alphabets were used to practice calligraphy and influenced by the Phoenician and Greek alphabets for quiet some time.
In India, calligraphy were found in Sanskrit text written on palm leaves. Persian calligraphers were brought to India by the emperor Humayun and they worked with Hindu artists. The impact can be seen in many of the manuscripts and chronicles of the Mughals and also in the epics of 'Mahabharatham' and 'Ramayanam'. We can see some of the fine examples in Sikh's holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib'. The kufic style calligraphy can be found on the Qutub Minar in Arabic texts.
The Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka was the first King in India, whose edicts were carved on the stones and pillars and he was known as " PATRON of CALLIGRAPHY". After Ashoka period, two style of calligraphy were developed namely Kharoohii and Brahmi.
In the northwestern part of India, the Kharoohii style was used from 3rd B.C. to 4th A.D. and it was used up to 8th A.D. in the central part of Asia. The Brahmi text is the origin of Devanagari text. Here, 'Dev' means 'God' and 'Nagari' means 'City'. i.e. text from the God. Devanagari text writing style is left to right in horizontal travel position. India has a rich heritage of calligraphy in the form of monuments and documents.
The reverence of calligraphy lies in human need for expression through symbols and designs. Calligraphy influences in book designing, logo designing, sign making and beautifying handwriting especially in the case of students. It is also leisure activity. Learning calligraphy gives you a life time praise for your little initiative.
Handwriting is the mirror of one's character. By writing you can look in to the depth of a person. As our face is the index of our mind, our handwriting is mirror of our personality traits. Handwriting reveals more than what a common man can think about. i.e. handwriting is not only used to communicate but speaks a lot about our personality. Personality comprises a person's character, behaviour, goal orientation, negativity, frustration, communication level, energy level, fear, anxiety etc., i.e. Handwriting is unique to the one who writes it like fingerprints.
The art of calligraphy as a hobby is very fulfilling and you can have your own style and innovation too! You need patience, willingness and practice to learn this art.