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Is the Art of Calligraphy Dying?

Long ago, before computers, fax machines, e-mail, typewriters, telephones and printing presses, people communicated to each other by the written word, physically written with a swirl and a flourish grand enough to grace the scrolls of Biblical times. Calligraphy defined as the art of beautiful writing dates back to the Roman Empire, where the art of writing was stimulated, cultivated and shaped. The term Calligraphy is derived from its Greek roots: kalli meaning beautiful and graphia referring to writing.

Calligraphers had thorough knowledge on how to identify the best cane suitable for a good pen, how to trim the nib and cut the point, and how to split the cane exactly in the center so that the nib had equal halves. A good pen was cherished and sometimes, was even handed down to another generation. Other times, it was buried with the calligrapher when he died.

Ink was of many colors including black, brown, yellow, red, blue, white, silver, and gold. Black and brown inks were often used, since their intensities and consistencies could vary greatly. Many calligraphers provided instructions on how to prepare ink, while others implied that their recipes were well guarded secrets. The ink made by the Persians, Indians and the Turks would stay fresh for a considerable amount of time. Ink preparation could take several days and involve many complex chemical processes.

The early works of calligraphy were usually tombstone inscriptions for the dead. But calligraphers turned it into an independent art form equal to painting, rather than merely captions on paintings. To the artist, calligraphy mentally coordinates the mind and the body. It is a relaxing yet highly disciplined exercise physically as well as spiritually. Historically, many calligraphy artists were known for their longevity.

The introduction of Paper was a turning point in the art of writing. This new medium of written communication had a decisive impact on all aspects of Islamic civilization. While many religions have made use of figural images to convey their core convictions, Islam used letters and words. In Islamic and Arabic cultures, calligraphy became highly respected as an art. Arabic calligraphy is a primary form of art for Islamic visual expression and creativity.

Brush calligraphy is still practised in China, Korea & Japan and is a part of their heritage. Calligraphy was not merely an exercise in good handwriting, but rather the foremost art form of the Orient.

Calligraphy is a defining feature of China's culture, both a means of communication and a revered form of art. The dividing line is often vague, and this ambiguity has given it an important role in shaping the history of modern China. Picasso once remarked that if he were born in China, he would have been a calligraphy artist rather than a painter.

In order to master the art, it is vital to acquire the knowledge of manipulating the flat-edged tool. It is also important to know the correct forms of letters of the three major hands – Roman, Gothic & Italic. Italic calligraphy is achieved by holding the pen tip at a 45-degree angle and moving only the pen, not the hand. By moving the pen across, the ink flows wide onto the paper. By pulling it down or up, the sharp edge of the pen creates a thin line. Other fundamentals of the learning process include control of spacing between letters, words and lines. The skill of decorating Initials and Headings along with the overall layout & design complement the rhythm as well as the spirit of the art form.

In recent times, many elements in calligraphy are adapted to modern western art and in industrial designs. Calligraphy type and free-form letters are preferred in many advertisements instead of routine Times Roman and Arial fonts.

Today, most calligraphers are not as exposed to the art form as compared to the previous generation. The world is gradually getting more commercialized in a computerized world and people do not have the patience to practice the art. Calligraphy is replaced by computerised typesetting, rendering hundreds of calligraphers unemployed. In these circumstances it is a challenge for anyone to show their sincerity to keep alive an art, in this era of computers.

Calligraphy is the ancient art of fine hand lettering that is slowly dying with the advancements in technology. It seems that the art of calligraphy cannot possibly withstand the competition of the computer where, with a click of the mouse, a variety of scripts can be generated in an instant. Even as the art is declining, true calligraphers will always keep it alive as long as they are willing to carry on the tradition. Despite super fast computers that can produce a number of different fonts, real calligraphy comes from deep within the artist, who strives to evoke the true emotion of the script through the words they draw.

Felix Martires

 


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