The Slow Long Hand

A Marathi calligraphy exhibition from the streets of Navi Mumbai.

A slow hand,
scratches the surface
of a pixelated world

Ruptures the cell wall
of a pixel,
spills colours

Words coagulate
worlds collide
unnoticed

A fine layer of soot
exhausts itself
over paint
at Shivaji Chowk
Vashi.

The Marathi Rajbhasha Gaurav Divas (Marathi State Language Pride Day) is celebrated every year in Maharashtra on the 27th of February. India is a union of states like the USA or the European Union, and most states have borders based on the dominant or common language of the region. Marathi is the state language of Maharashtra, and the birthday of poet, prolific writer, and freedom fighter Vishnu Shirwadkar, who wrote under the pen name Kusumagraj, is celebrated as the Marathi Rajbhasha Gaurav Divas. He had a significant role in shaping the modern Marathi language through several decades of the last century.

Like everywhere else in the world, it was the era of magazines. Hundreds flourished across India, especially in what was to become Maharashtra state. It can be argued that most dominant Indian languages were standardized, entered homes, broke down walls between people speaking different dialects, and maybe even buried a few regional dialects as they rolled across wherever standardized education spread. But that’s another story.

However, magazines were printed with a lot of care and love. Poems like the ones Kusumagraj wrote were often embellished with drawings and calligraphy. The special issue that came during the festival of Deepavali usually had the best artists, calligraphers, poets, writers, and editors coming together. Here is a glimpse of the calligraphic art we would’ve encountered in a magazine’s Deepavali special issue.

Achyut Palav is the flag bearer and one of the most celebrated calligraphers in India today. His calligraphy school is in Navi Mumbai, and his students’ work is currently on display on the streets of Navi Mumbai at Shivaji Chowk in Vashi.

It is also a reflection of the love Marathi speakers have for calligraphy. It can still be found on notice boards of schools, outside offices of political parties, theatre/play posters, advertising, and other places.

But today, here are a few images from the exhibition.

Spine by Kusumagraj

“Shattered to pieces is the life,
But my spine still holds its might,
Place your hand on my back,
And say, ‘Go. Fight.'”

Read the entire poem here.

Arun Kolatkar’s Vamangi

Read translations of Arun Kolatkar’s poems here.

https://www.gadima.com/

Wondering what Marathi sounds like? Listen to the above writing.

Digital design and printing technologies reduced the use of calligraphy in magazine designs. Marathi magazines continue to publish Deepavali specials and are still sought after. People like Achyut Palav and art schools teach it with passion. Find an old ink pen or chalk, and the first impulse most of us have is to write something beautiful; let it not remain a thought.

If you are in India, maybe a weekend with Achyut Palav will take your fingers away from endless scrolling.

Read translations of Marathi Dalit Poetry.