35DaysofGurmukhi’23
Any letters without introspection are just a few strokes and lines of randomness. Only when you take a moment to descry, one notices the distinctness they are visually. Learning languages might become anachronistic with evolving technological features like Google translate and multiple AI sources, yet the art of learning always holds an element of human touch, allowing us to explore what any technology can’t.
Pre-pandemic, I came across a challenge to learn the script of a language, it intrigued me as much as finding a new store of ice cream. I gave it a try. Enjoyed the additional skill of being able to know the letter of completely different language. I won’t say I mastered it, but I would mention the graph of learning kept going up with the tiny mistakes I kept making. Tarun Deep sir is always kind to point out my mistakes and help me understand them.
Written by Guru Angad in the 16th century, an Indic script is still used predominantly in the regions of Punjab. The letters are called akhars. The script consists of 35 letters (Painti akhar), 5 in a row.
Of the same, I have tried to do Calligraphy (Season1), Eye catchy quirky illustrations (Season2) and Anatomy Study (Season4), while trying to participate for 35DaysofGurmukhi.
The willingness to make something new always lurks in your brain, but everything has to start from scratch, from the basics. I took my notebook and started scribbling the minute details that I had understood regarding letterforms. Referred to a few blogs, and anticipated what I could put forward.
This season of exploration involves a brief anatomy study of the akhars.
Akhar and Pronunciation
Graphical classification of Akhars
Taking reference from the Devanagari script and Bapurao Naik’s graphical analysis of Devanagari letterforms, I have tried to inculcate the semiotic details in Gurmukhi letterforms. Devanagari letters are classified into 5 categories i.e. attached verti-bar, detached verti-bar, short bar, central bar and without a bar. Though Gurmukhi letterforms lacks central bar and is replaced with an angular bar.
Attached verti-bar
Detached verti-bar
Short bar
No bar
Angular bar
Getting further let’s have a close look at my understanding of Gurmukhi akhars using the typographic terms.
The whole process of Gurmukhi season 4 was indeed fun and a step forward in my learning curve. This just involves the initial letterforms, I am yet to learn the Vowel signs and other matras of Gurmukhi. I hope to learn them soon and do the anatomy study for the same.
Check 35DaysofGurmukhi for more and interesting works done by learners.
