Science and Art of Calligraphy and Painting

Author(s): S Andhare
Publisher: Indian National Science Academy

Page 42

21 The author of this shloka is unknown. He has used the common letter K (*) and has enumerated seventeen items starting with the letter K, which is worth noting. Majority of formulae and terminologies published in the above publication are in Gujarati, Prakrit or Sanskrit which are translated in to English. There are certain pertinent questions which face us when we think of the art and science of writing and painting, such as, when did the Jains accept and start the art of writing ? What was the script that was adopted in the beginning? What was the support on which the books were written? Which ink was used? What kind of pens were used? How were the MSS. preserved for several centuries etc. The solutions to all these questions and curiosities are not found at one place or in one single book, but these are available through ancient texts where we find direct or indirect references to writing techniques and material. In short the Jain sutras are the sources from which factual and practical information is gathered, for several years. It was then put in to pratice by the scribes, and over the years several norms were fomulated by them which withstood the taste of time.
The Rajaprashniya sutra mentions "Books meant for reading of Gods" Which implies implements made of gold, silver etc. which can logically be understood as usual tools requird for writing.