In-Tune

Music becomes mesmerising because of the varying pitches of different notes, each contributing to a rhythmic masterpiece. Similarly, in the symphony of language, every letter in the "Varnamala" or alphabet, carries unique tones and texture, mingling beautifully and strumming together the harmony of language.

वेगवेगळ्या नोट्सच्या वेगवेगळ्या ध्वनीच्या उच्चनीचतेमुळे संगीत मंत्रमुग्ध बनते, ते प्रत्येक तालबद्ध कृतीमध्ये योगदान देते. त्याचप्रमाणे, भाषेच्या सिम्फनीमध्ये, "वर्णमाला" किंवा वर्णमालामधील प्रत्येक अक्षर अद्वितीय स्वर आणि पोत धारण करतात, सुंदरपणे मिसळतात आणि भाषेचा एक उत्कृष्ट सुसंवाद निर्माण करतात.

28 X 40 in
Inks on paper

Scaffolding

In a scaffolding, each pole and plank join forces, intertwining to construct a grand and complex structure. Similarly, alphabets cooperate, support, and contribute to each other to build something beautiful. Here, I have arranged the consonants in the shape of pillars, in a geometric manner, standing with and on each other to create the scaffolding.

scaffolding मध्ये (मांडवात) प्रत्येक खांब आणि फळी एकत्र येऊन एक भव्य आणि जटिल रचना तयार करतात. त्याचप्रमाणे, अक्षरं एकमेकांना सहकार्य, समर्थन आणि एकमेकांच्या योगदानाने भाषा आणि संस्कृतीची सुंदर निर्मिती करतात. इथे मी व्यंजने खांबाच्या आकाराप्रमाणे, भौमितिक पद्धतीने मांडून, एकमेकांच्या आधाराने उभी आहेत, त्यातून scaffolding सारखी निर्मिती करण्याचा प्रयत्न केला आहे.

Size: 28.5 x 20 inches
Medium: Inks on Paper

The "varnamala" or alphabet is like a well-arranged bouquet (guldasta) of flowers. Each element in a bouquet is charming and appealing and adds a delightful aesthetic to the whole bunch. Similarly, each letter’s presence is pivotal in the milieu of a language. In this picture, I have made seven groups of the alphabet, (क, च, ट, त, प, य, ष)​ ​I made various flower shapes from the five letters of each group, and each flower stick is composed like a bouquet.

​'वर्णमाला​' म्हणजेच अक्षरमाला फुलांच्या एक सुरेख रचलेल्या ​सजवलेल्या गुलदस्त्यासारखी आहे. ​जसा ​पुष्पगुच्छातील प्रत्येक घटक आकर्षक आणि मनमोहक असतो आणि तो संपूर्ण गुलदस्त्याला एक आनंददायी सौंदर्य प्रदान करतो. त्याचप्रमाणे, प्रत्येक अक्षर हे भाषे​चे नुसतेच सौंदर्य नाही तर अर्थ देखील खुलवतात.

ह्या चित्रात मी वर्णमालेचे सात समूह करून, (क, च, ट, त, प, य, ष) त्या समूहातील पाच अक्षरांपासून विविध फुलांचे आकार बनवलेले आहेत अणि त्या एक एक फुलांच्या काड्या पुष्पगुच्छासारख्या माण्डल्या आहेत.

28.5 x 20 inches
Inks and Watercolours on Paper

Unravelling Text : : Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore (2017)

Last year I had an opportunity to take calligraphy workshop for students from design school (Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology). It was two week long course and first time these students going to experiment with letterforms.

This workshop (elective) started with learning basic hands – traditional roman italic and devanagri scripts, then moving to bit free brush letterings, then total experimental and conventional ruling pen, cola pen with mark making. In between they were inspired with videos, presentations of the works of national & international calligraphers around the world.

Students enjoyed both the styles – traditional, conventional as well as wild, experimental. But glad to hear majority preferred the traditional calligraphy learning. They were super enthu, sincere while learning these scripts.

Below are two short videos, first one is about actual workshop in progress and other is about final display.

36daysoftype with daddy and daughter

I was observing and admiring a lot on instagram about #36daysoftype. But never dared to participate as I wasn't sure about commitment and patience. This time I thought of giving it a try. It was fine for me to leave it incomplete, I was prepared. I fixed on this decision when me and my 7 year old daughter were playing 'rangometry'* and trying out different shapes, making random characters and objects. Obviously my first try-outs were letterforms and was quite hooked on making, arranging, composing letters as results were not bad.

36daysoftype exercise is pretty simple—anyone can participate, no fee, no registration. Participant needs to make, draw, create, write or shoot one letterform each day and upload it on their respective instagram handle. End of 36 days, you get 26 alphabets along with 10 numerical like a basic font family. You can wish to pick-up any theme for your set or not compulsory though. It's fine if you miss one or two days, you can catch up by posting them later. There are no hard and fast rules, its purely fun and experience purpose.

I decided to work on obvious theme of geometry with colourful shapes. Creating letterforms with primary colours and shapes is a TASK, it sounds and looks simple but IT'S NOT. I tried to create non-obvious, unconventional forms maintaining the readability. I was attempting to make as simple as possible but couldn't give justice the legibility. Also few letterforms needed more shapes to complete. None of the letterforms were created at first take; I approved each letter after 2-3 try-outs.

Here its the complete set of my 36 letterforms. Not fully satisfied but pleased to participate and managed to post it regularly (read: deadlines). My assistant 'designer' of this game was a daughter who helped me to decide what was working and what needed an improvement. Her constant complaint was "you are making complicated letters" I am amazed with her simplistic design solutions and not to carried away because of many options.

Here are the rangometry shapes from which we created alphabets. Rangometry is an excellent teaching aid which is used in my little one's school. To make complex subjects simpler. I think its an excellent tool for graphic designers too make logos, symbols and any graphic-geometric forms.    

Alvida Delhi : : Namaskara Bangalore

I have shifted, relocated and moved to BENGALURU from DELHI. Its been a month now, I am in Bangalore. I was staying in Delhi for 12 years. I have love and hate relation with this city. I came to Delhi for a job in design studio thinking of exploring new city, culture, traveling to fascinating places, eating amazing food and meeting interesting people etc. and stuck there for almost a decade.

Delhi witnessed many memorable events of my life — my first art exhibition, my first published calligraphy work in international magazine (Letter Arts Review), TV shows and interviews, my first TEDx, birth of my daughter and most importantly my journey as a calligrapher and independent designer anchored here. Met amazing people, clients and friends here.

We too witnessed the flavour of "Delhi dilwalon ki" many times. Now onwards I won't be answerable to the cliche 'how come Mumbaikar adjusting and liking in Delhi'

We have shifted to BENGALURU thinking of exploring new city, culture, traveling to fascinating places and meeting interesting people etc. and hope to stick here for another decade...

Twisted Type : : MICA, Ahmedabad

December 2017; I had an opportunity to conduct a calligraphy workshop in MICA institute, Ahmedabad. MICA has a course "Crafting Creative Communication" commonly called as CCC, under which they had planned elective programs with industry specialists and explorer of new crafts like film making, photography, story-telling, branding, radio communication etc.

My course "Twisted Type" was planned to introduce the calligraphy as an art form, the technical aspects of typography and ending with implementation of learning in commercial application with some exercises. I was fortunate to work with these 21 enthusiastic and sincere students. Full four days (including some mid-nights) comprised with basic calligraphy hands, introduction to typography, emotive typography, hand-lettering exercises then moving to experimental expressions with innovative tools and final group project. Being a residential campus it was fun-filled, homely atmosphere keeping the enthusiasm, curiosity intact and overall freshness in work.

Most of the modules were interactive, activity and games based. Love the energy & passion of these first time hand-letterers, brush holders and ink-splatters! The work they had delivered was totally incredible. Here I am sharing videos of course and final display.

Manohar Handwriting

My hand-writing had few influences from childhood, one is my mother who still (at 70yrs) has impeccable, consistent, neat (un-shaky) handwriting and second one was our society guard – Manohar. His job was to write information on the common board which is to be placed at the main entrance; so anyone enters or exits can view this. Recently when I went home, I didn't notice that large black board with beautiful devanagari, chalk letters. Why? because the master Manohar who used to write is passed away after major illness.

Sad to know, these blackboards will be empty or won't be embellished same as with Manohar's handwriting. I am sure, residents will manage without his handwriting – someone else (or digital printouts may be) will take over his place. The purpose is important; good skill is value addition – that's how we looked at him. There were very few appreciators who actually told him or gave rewards for his extraordinary skill.

I find it amazing because he was lefty. I have special respect for left handed calligraphers/ writers. He was true to his work; his name means – beautiful (Manohar means beautiful in Sanskrit and Marathi)

Thank you Manohar for being there during my upbringing and exposed the kids like us to the "good handwriting" we never interacted on this subject, I wish I could and I wish I documented your few lettering samples. But I am glad that on my last visit I clicked few pictures while you were writing the board. That's good enough memory for me to cherish.

मना

मना वासना दुष्ट कामा नये रे

मना सर्वथा पापबुद्धि नको रे 

मना धर्मता नीति सोडू नको हो 

मना अंतरी सार वीचार राहो 

Tiny canvas artwork for Saint Ramdas' manache sholka (मनाचे श्लोक) 

LISTEN

There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen. — RUMI.

Kexperiment

Another sketch on paper; later coloured with pencils. Strangely the forms are quite distorted (in terms of finesse) but luckily I managed this consistently ;) This is a family of letter "K" (क) of devanagari also reminds me of single-blade-pinwheel-toy; we used to play with ;) 

Lettermuse

Its my muse. The letter 'K' (क ) of devanagari. The beauty of this letter lies in its simplicity, two circles (actually one complete and other incomplete oval) separated, divided, parted by long stick, line or border. Many connotations to derive from.

Callihunt

Here its the trophy (gold award) and certificate of appreciation for the Callihunt 2016, I was selected as a gold winner from the entries received from all over India. The event was very well organised, managed and presented by APSC team. I will cherish this moment and it definitely gives boost for love for writing.

 

Boost

The best birthday gift ever!
This news came in an email and then a phone call to believe myself.
As I am selected as a gold winner for Nationwide Callihunt 2016!!
!!YAY!!
It was organised by Achyut Palav School of Calligraphy and this is the first time they have introduced this competition to find the calligraphy talent across India and of course to encourage the art of beautiful handwriting – it is also an occasion of 7th annual day of the school.

Thanks and best wishes to APSC team and Achyut Palav. It is a big encouragement and big push to work better and explore the art further and of course the pressure to maintain. ;) 

I will post the entry which I have submitted in next post.

Experimental Tool

Thread tied at the end of a stick (actually carving tool) makes an excellent tool. Great texture, amazing fluidity and unexpected results – perfect combination of any calligraphic art.

Space

Another composition with black ink on white textured paper, with new tool I discussed in last post.

Simply love how the way letters overlap each other and create the dramatic space among themselves. Some tight, compact, some loose, some wants to be with someone, some wants to be away, some extends their hands and some literally pushes to make their own space. Eventually makes a harmonious community.

Ain't we also behave like this?

New Tool Madness

Madness mania by this newly acquired tool.

Strokes & Letters

Already had few pages filled with black strokes. Contemplating to leave it just like that or to add lettering to make it more meaningful, went with later decision. Not so good result but definitely a good practice of uppercase (capitals) and warming up the hand.

Flexible

Stretching exercise! Not for me but for letters ;)
Its fun to see how letters can formed by just extending & expanding their counters, strokes, bowls and what not. Result with amazing forms & counters. This animal like creature was purely unintentional.

 

Let's take a break!

This was the art piece, I created taking breaks in between my regular graphic design work. The canvas was lying on the desk for really long time; rather it was keep inviting me to do something. This artwork created in some 6/7 sittings. Good fun and good recharge therapy. Should keep some more empty papers & canvases in front ;)

Surprise at back

I was arranging my old artworks and papers and accidentally noticed the other side of its beauty. How amazing the paper and ink react to each other — The patterns they form, textures they create; their relationship definitely works. It also opens the new doors of art of looking sideways ;)

 

10th World Calligraphy Biennale, Jeollabuk Do (Korea)

Finally completed my Calligraphy Biennale post (Sorry it was the last year's post)

Here, I am writing this post sitting at Incheon Airport of South Korea, waiting for my flight to India (via Hong Kong). Why I am here because I was invited to participate & attend the exhibition of 10th World Calligraphy Biennale, Jeollabuk, South Korea. Me and Mr. Achyut Palav (a well known and talented calligrapher from, Bombay, India) were only from India showcased the work.
It was a great opportunity to experience this event as the first time I met, talked and saw the south east asian calligraphy practitioners and masters and their great body of work. Primarily, the Chinese, Japanese, Korean scripts were on the display, I am glad Indian script (devanagari) also made into this league.
This conference was comprised of grand inauguration, exhibition, paper presentations (I wish they could managed English translations) and of course sight seeing and food treat. Sori Art Centre, a venue was amazing space and huge. This biennale is on till 15th November 2015, more details here

Me with my showcased piece



On the concluding gala dinner night, all the invited calligraphers had
to "write" something in their language (with provided brush & ink)

Master calligrapher – Wang Dongling (he is genius)

Other calligraphers work – simply stunning, you can experience the devotion, passion and command of these 30-40 years.

This piece is by "yours truly" – Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (The World is One Family)

I was nervous doing brush work in front of the legends.

My Messy Desk

After a long break on the blog – starting this new post on messy note ;)
I have shifted to new place last year and made a workstation arrangement such that where I can have TWO desks – small desk for laptop where I usually end up spending more time and right opposite other big desk for calligraphy and other hand-done stuff. This keeps reminding me to take a break from mechanical/mundane stuff and use your brain and hands for other productive works too.

Calligraphy Symposium : : Brugge

This July I went to Brugge (Belgium) to attend Calligraphy Symposium, organised by University of Sunderland, UK. Under that I have taken a week long workshop/class by Brody Neueanswander, a great great calligrapher whom I am great admirer since when I started taking calligraphy seriously.
Here are few images of symposium.

Brugge cityscape, lovely & charming environment 

The workshop venue

We also visited Brody's studio, a great inspiring place

Collaborative artworks, so much fun while doing these

Artworks of other students of other batches

Artworks of other students of other batches 

My name label and glance of what I have done

Love

i heart you
i like you
i love you
no matter what this new lingo & emoticons say!
i always want you
to be with me
in this exciting journey