Handwritten newspaper stays on script

THE MUSALMAN HAS MAINTAINED ITS USP FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES NOW

serving people of the nation. During my grandfather’s time the cost was 25 paisa. Over the time, it has increased only marginally.

“For me, it [the newspaper] means preservation of a dream and I am only taking the agenda forward, which I am very passionate about.”

Some may find it hard to believe, but despite a small setup and primitive methods of functioning, staff at The Musalman are extremely loyal to the organisation.

“It is our love for the Urdu language that we are respected by people wherever we go. And working for the only handwritten newspaper in the world, makes one feel proud,” they say.

The editor adds, “We have correspondents across India, including in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Since not all of them are well-versed in Urdu, they are free to submit computer-generated copies in English and Tamil. These are then translated into Urdu at the Chennai office.”

Does this mean computers are not required at any stage?

“People have often asked me to convert to computers, but I am not willing. Our readers are happy with this style and understand calligraphy easily. If we were to switch to computers in any way, there would be no difference between The Musalman and other newspapers,” Arifullah says.

Having dedicated his life to The Musalman, he says, “The USP of the newspaper is its calligraphy, which people are attracted to. And it is published in almost the same form since its inception.”

Art in danger of dying

Undoubtedly, the newspaper has supporters who believe that handwritten Urdu is an art that needs to be encouraged, preserved and practised. But calligraphers lament the fact that the fine art of Urdu calligraphy is in danger of dying out in India because there’s little work for them.

In calligraphy, words are transformed into masterpieces. Until some decades ago, it was the defining feature of many Urdu dailies.

But the computer’s takeover and also the onslaught of computerised Urdu typesetting put an end to the job of calligraphers, who feel years of their training in the art has gone waste.

They often dissuade the younger generation from following the skill that was once patronised by the Mughals.

Nilima Pathak/ Gulf News The Musalman is possibly the only Urdu handwritten newspaper in the world. It is published from Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Nilima Pathak/ Gulf News The entrance to the newspaper’s office located at 324 Triplicane High Road in Chennai.

Nilima Pathak/ Gulf News Despite a small set-up, staff at The Musalman are extremely loyal to the organisation.

Nilima Pathak/ Gulf News The newspaper’s masthead is cut out and stuck onto the paper each day.