Pandemic conjures up a lost aesthetic of handcrafted letters in Kashmir

We may have been greatly accustomed to the printed  letters but the handcrafted letters will always be the manifestation of personalities and cultural heritage.

Recently a calligraphy exhibition-cum-workshop was organised by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) under the Union Territory administration in Srinagar to provide a platform for young artists in the Valley to showcase their talents as well as promote the region’s rich heritage.

Over the last few months, territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been rattled by back to back disruptions, however, there has been a recent revival of traditional arts and crafts – triggered by the lockdown that followed the abrogation of special status to , and then the pandemic. Many youth, stuck within their dwellings amidst the heavenly surroundings took to calligraphy and other artwork in many parts – particularly in the Kashmir valley.

Across Kashmir, while working on projects pertaining to calligraphy art, youth are spending much in learning and improving the artform during the covid-19 lockdown.,young calligraphers are exhibiting their beautiful calligraphy artwork on different platforms of social media, thereby inspiring others to take part in it and contributing to a revival of sorts.

The test of handwriting is how profoundly it can express, calligraphy connects hand and brain in a task of active engagement: what used to be called penmanship which the printed words can never manifest.

Cover image by Greater Kashmir