Teaching the Significance of Calligraphy

Illegible prescriptions have always landed physicians in trouble. Here is one artist in town who is often approached by physicians secretly to improve their handwriting.

Shanod Kumar, hailing from Kakkodi, promises to improve handwriting in just one week. While training students in painting, he also tries to improve their handwriting.

«Many doctors come to me seeking to improve their handwriting. Even police personnel approach me. They feel ashamed to prepare a mahasar in front of the complainants. People often ask, what is the significance of beautiful handwriting in an age of computers and smartphones. My answer to them is to look at the number of participants at my handwriting classes, ranging from nursery students to 56-year-olds,» says Shanod.

The artist, who has no basic education in art, started making posters and boards after completing his class 10. Now he visits houses in the district and asks students to attend a painting test.

He charges 30 rupees for it and offers them a trophy and a certificate. His approach has many a time evoked suspicion among the public. Later, they started accepting him and for the past 12 years, he has been conducting art lessons for people of all age groups.

«Government schools do not have art teachers. This is denial of art lessons to children from backward classes, who normally attend government schools. I take classes at GLPS, Karaparamba, AUPS, Chevayur, GLPS, Puthiyangadi, AUPS, Nanmanda, and Universal College, Kakkodi. Free classes are offered to students in schools and the neighbourhood,» the artist says.

He trains through freehand designs and copywriting. Shanod began to think of starting handwriting improvement classes when parents sought to improve their wards' handwriting while admitting them in painting classes. Now for the past four years, he has been taking handwriting improvement classes also. Mural painting is his other specialty. Shanod promises to teach mural art in just one-and-a-half years.

The admission fee is 300 rupees and he charges 200 rupees per month. Shanod makes weekly homework compulsory for all the students, irrespective of their age.

«I never got a chance to receive prizes while studying in school. I know how much joy it brings to children. That's why I make sure every child gets a prize in the competitions I conduct here. Every week I distribute around 300 to 400 prizes,» says Shanod.

Shanod Kumar

Source: www.newindianexpress.com