World Calligraphy Day

World Calligraphy Day is has been observed Wednesday of the second full week in August since 2017.

What is calligraphy?
Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing and is the design and execution of lettering with a pen, ink brush, or other writing instrument. Contemporary calligraphic practice can be defined as "the art of giving form to signs in an expressive, harmonious, and skillful manner".

Do you know?
Hamro Patro's founder, Shankar Upreti, founded Hamro Patro with his intense desire to see Nepali fonts inside the computer and digital screen.



Even now Nepali fonts in Unicode like Anand, Mangal etc. fonts are first designed with paint or brush and prepared digitally.

Impact of calligraphy in society
Calligraphy comes as an art form that gives advantages in the shape of manual or analog practices. The use of pen, technique, and style not only adds nostalgia. But also improve one mentally, skill, confidence, memory, and many more. Calligraphy stimulates neuronal activity, helping us to develop a broader vocabulary and write texts that are more comprehensive. Our haptic perception becomes more acute, increasing the tactile experiences we lose when typing on mobile and electronic devices.

In countries like China, Japan and Korea, even today, calligraphy is considered as the supreme art.

In Nepal, several groups and organizations have been actively promoting calligraphy, particularly the traditional scripts of the country. Some of the notable groups include: Callijatra, Calligraphy Nepal, Nepal Lipi Guthi.

Callijatra:
Callijatra is a dynamic youth group dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich calligraphy culture of Nepal. Focused on the revival and education of traditional scripts like Ranjana, Prachalit Nepal Lipi, Bhujinmol, Devanagari and others, Callijatra plays a vital role in keeping these ancient writing styles alive. Through workshops, exhibitions, and community outreach, they emphasize the importance of calligraphy not just as an art form, but as a crucial part of Nepal's cultural heritage. By reconnecting modern generations with these traditional scripts, Callijatra ensures that the beauty and history of Nepali calligraphy continue to inspire and thrive.

Ananda K. Maharjan, Designer / Founder of Callijatra, shares his thoughts: "Nepal has a wealth of beautiful and unique calligraphic scripts. Our community has contributed significantly to the art of calligraphy, and it's crucial to preserve and promote this cultural heritage. Ranjana script, in particular, is exceptionally beautiful. We are proud to have developed the 'Nithya Ranjana' font in collaboration with India's Ekype, which has won prestigious international design awards like D&AD Yellow Pencil award and TDC Excellence Award. This is a proud achievement for Nepal."

“Our focus has always been on promoting the Ranjana script, and we’ve conducted community sessions across 80+ localities in the Kathmandu Valley and Nepal,” says Lumu Shrestha, Vice-Chairperson of Callijatra. She further adds that live Ranjana calligraphy has raised widespread awareness of the script, with people viewing it as an art form that preserves the cultural heritage embedded in the script.

Calligraphy Nepal:
Another group that has been continually promoting calligraphy in Nepal is Calligraphy Nepal: Cultivating Nepali Script Art
Calligraphy Nepal is a vibrant collective of calligraphers and artists dedicated to nurturing the art of calligraphy in Nepal. Through various workshops and creative activities, they actively engage communities in exploring and mastering traditional Nepali scripts, preserving this essential aspect of the country's cultural identity.

“Calligraphy is not just about creating unique handwriting; it’s an art in itself. The medium chosen by artists expresses the art through their means,” says Ratan Karna, who founded Calligraphy Nepal out of his passion to learn and preserve scripts through art.

“The festival aims to promote and popularize Nepal’s calligraphy traditions, reconnecting modern generations with ancient writing styles,” says Saurav Thapa Shrestha, a calligraphy artist.

Both Callijatra and Calligraphy Nepal are jointly organizing “Nepalakshara” – Nepal Calligraphy Festival 2024, celebrating the scripts of Nepal in its 2nd edition. The event, aimed at promoting and popularizing Nepali calligraphy, will take place on August 31st at the Nepal Art Council. It will feature calligraphy workshops, live calligraphy sessions, a calligraphy exhibition, panel discussions, an art market, and more.

Program Details
Calligraphy Workshops: Interactive sessions where participants can learn and practice
traditional Nepali scripts such as Ranjana, Prachalit Nepal Lipi, Bhujinmol, and Devanagari.

Live Calligraphy Sessions: Demonstrations by renowned calligraphers showcasing their
skills and techniques.

Calligraphy Exhibition: A curated display of calligraphy artworks from artists across Nepal
and beyond, highlighting the beauty and diversity of Nepali script art.

Panel Discussions: Thought-provoking conversations on the preservation and promotion
of calligraphy as a cultural heritage.

Art Market: An opportunity to purchase unique calligraphy pieces and related art.
The festival aims to promote and popularize Nepal’s rich calligraphy traditions, reconnecting modern generations with these ancient writing styles. Through workshops, exhibitions, and community outreach, Nepalakshara seeks to emphasize the importance of calligraphy not only as an art form but as an integral part of Nepal's cultural identity.

Event Details:
Date: August 31st, 2024
Time:11 AM to 6 PM
Venue: Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu

Today is a day to remember calligraphers around the world. There are many calligraphers in Nepal too, be it Ranjana or Devanagiri script or any other script. Salutations to all the artists who breathe life into the letters and awaken the meaning in the shapes.

-Suyog Dhakal