I welcome you
into this incredible world
and to be a part of a journey
that stared 12 years back
and still goes on today...
In Search of a New Learning.
I love Indian languages and scripts. The ardent desire to experience them in entirety took me on a journey across our fascinating country.What comes before you as ashoklipi.in is not a bundle of information or photos, rather some candid pages from the diaries of an artist, a traveler who in his search of scripts came across amazing places, specimens, artifacts and people that slowly unveiled his own country before him through its extraordinary calligraphy, inscriptions and languages and their evolution. It is an attempt to share my findings and interact with those who share my passion for letters and symbols.
The Economist said, ‘India is a continent masquerading as a country’. Travelling far and wide, taking in its sights and sounds made me feel that within its boundaries lay, not 28 states but 28 different countries, each with its unique communities, striking terrain, vibrant meaningful traditions and remarkable languages. The journey helped me observe and learn new about each place. Each monument and town had an intriguing past. They could easily fill up the gaps in history of the land. This created a whole new visual grammar, sowing seeds of new thoughts.
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My travels took me to museums, hilltops, caves, temples, mosques and archives. From The Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune to the Saraswati Mandir in Tamil Nadu, I got to study rare, beautiful and ancient manuscripts and inscriptions. It is an unforgettable experience to see the Brahmi Texts, inscriptions like the Old Tamil on tablets, stones, paper, Tamrapatra, Bhurjapatra, pillars and walls. There was art and creativity everywhere, even wall paintings and signboards.
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Through a range of mediums I witnessed and gained knowledge of the rich tradition and history of Indian Scripts. With ashoklipi.in I welcome you into this incredible world and to be a part of a journey that stared 12 years back and still goes on today.
Ashok Gopal Parab