India, the nation that not only has diversity in each aspect, but an incredible civilization that celebrates, encourages and reveres this diversity. It is not surprising that in this land of great knowledge and lofty ideas, one can find a multiple scripts as well as numerous languages and dialects. The number and variety is one of many exceptionalities of India.
The invention of the script is most remarkable invention of the human kind. Scripts and writing systems are an important part of every civilization.
Along with their striking forms often explored in art, these are the custodians and tools to preserve history and knowledge. The legacy and heritage of Indian of writing traditions started almost 5000 years ago. Evidences are found in the seals discovered during the excavations at Harappa. Among various scripts, The Brahmi is considered the mother of Indian Scripts. It is from its basic forms that most modern scripts have evolved into the forms that we see today.
In a way I have been an explorer and traveler, a student and an observer of Indian scripts for the past 12 years.
I have travelled to many destinations and will continue to do so. My travels took me to museums, hilltops, caves, temples, mosques and eminent archives, where I got to study rare, beautiful and ancient manuscripts and inscriptions. Each journey was an unforgettable experience.
While conducting workshops and lectures as well as through personal interactions with many people, I realized there was no medium or premises where people could learn various ancient and modern Indian scripts. Often people would not know scripts beyond their native and Roman (Latin). There was not enough awareness or inclination towards exploring other modern scripts, let alone ancient ones. Thus the art aspect remained largely neglected apart from the dedicated efforts of a few.
There was a need to create a solution.
From this need was born the concept of ashoklipishala.
With this aim in mind, I have been relentlessly studying, documenting and creating references about various scripts of India. The result of these 12 years is an institute dedicated to creating a single platform where people across the world can come to learn various modern and ancient Indian scripts. Exploring the forms in all their rich glory is truly a transcending, enlightening experience. Each Indian script is unique and each letter has a distinct grace and rhythm. As you keep practicing them, scribbling them over and over, you start noting and understanding the design and artistic potential of these alphabets and symbols.
I now welcome you into this incredible world at ashoklipishala where you can not only explore through various mediums, the rich tradition and history of Indian scripts but also discover this amazing field as an art form.
