The Award – Recognition of the Past and an Encouragement for the Future
- Achyut Palav
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
My life was a blank canvas prior to the introduction of calligraphy. In a way I had no particular inclination or a dream of becoming someone specific, nor had my parents laid down a distinct path to a pre-decided career.So, I got into the field of art with a free mind ready to absorb and pave my way from scratch. From choosing calligraphy as a key subject on which I based my career to the day my name was declared among the Padma Shri awardees of 2025, the art has been instrumental in shaping my thoughts, beliefs and most importantly revealing a beautiful facet my country and culture.
The news of the award evoked multiple emotions within me. I was happy and also felt that I had repaid a part of the debt I owe to my gurus and the art itself. When I look closely at this milestone, I see it as recognition of my work, but more importantly a win for Indian Calligraphy as it is being honoured on a national level. It has elevated my hopes that the efforts to further the awareness about our scripts, native languages and dialects, to increase their applications widely will surely garner greater momentum. It is a step ahead and I look forward to more Indian calligraphers working towards creating in new styles, unique compositions and innovative applications.
The foremost task for ensuring a bright future for the art form is its introduction into mainstream education. I have always advocated calligraphy as an excellent learning tool during formative years. It provides an effective combination of creativity and discipline for young minds and makes for a viable career choice.
When I had chosen the line – ‘Come, Learn the Art’ for my venture – Urja, The Calligraphy Movement, it was with a couple of purposes in mind. The foremost was to popularize Indian calligraphy within the country and abroad. I also wish to create a common umbrella for masters and young calligraphers to come together. The combined efforts will keep the rich past protected and preserved for future generations. The creations and specimens of scribes, kings, emperors, and important historical figures have made a mark in history in the form of edicts and royal decrees, manuscripts and scriptures, records and official correspondence. They are a great subject to study and be inspired by. The future can be built on the strong foundations of old legacies. Initiatives like All India Calligraphy Forums, Calligraphy Festivals, large-scale exhibitions, calligraphy archives, and museums that prominently feature Indian Calligraphy and aim at providing a platform for the global calligraphy fraternity must be organized in India. India, being a nation with states having their own distinct official language, calligraphy-based tourism will also be an exciting venture.
The next chapter in my life will be dedicated to reforming, reorganizing, and reinventing Indian calligraphy, and I look forward to the support, guidance, and involvement of each and every one of you.
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