Calligraphy makes a comeback ahead of Valentine’s Day

Ahead of Valentine’s Day, calligraphers in the narrow lanes of the Urdu Bazaar area of Old Delhi are a busy lot, writing love letters for those cupid-struck city youngsters who want old-style handwritten letters crafted for their Valentine.

Sohail, a third generation calligrapher who sits next to the Jama Masjid, said: “I may be a bit biased, but I think that the expression of love through words on paper in calligraphy is perfect for Valentine’s Day, especially when looking for a meaningful gift rather than a material one.”

With the advent of computer technology, the once vibrant community of calligraphers in the Urdu Bazaar area has been shrinking fast. Most members of this community have taken to computerised calligraphy and advertisement work, but Valentine’s Day has given several of them the opportunity to make some extra money.

Among those frequenting these calligraphers is Sangeeta, a 27-year-old IT professional. “My boyfriend and I do not live in the same state; so I started writing letters to him and he wrote back. A few years ago, one of my friends informed me about handwritten letters in calligraphy. Since then, I am coming every year to get love letters written for my boyfriend,” Sangeeta told this newspaper.

Merlyn, a 29-year- old teacher said, “I and my boyfriend still have a stack of letters from the past years because of the sentimental value they hold. And a plain letter on a sheet of paper can