Page 4 - A brief note on calligraphy of the Constitution of India in English and Hindi

A BRIEF NOTE ON THE CALLIGRAPHY OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA I N ENGLISH
. AND HINDI
At the suggestion of Prof. K. T, Shah the question
of calligraphy and artistic decoration and printing of
the original authoritative copy of the Constitution
of India was taken'up. It was decided that the work
should be started as early as possible and calligraphy
should be completed by the 20th January, 1950 and
the work of illumination and decoration of the calli-
graphed pages may continue even after that date
till it is completed.

2. The matter to be calligraphed consisted of about
300 pages of 6£"x9£", each page containing about 40
lines. It was also proposed to use parchment paper
of the size of 14" x 18" and a margin of 1\" was to be
left at the top and the sides for illumination work and
of \\" at the bottom. The rest of the space in the
middle of the sheet was to be covered by the calli-
graphist. The cover was to bear the seal and emblem
of the Union with a description in general and concise
terms of the contents of the manuscript.

3. At the suggestion of Shri Krishna Kriplani the
President wrote to Shri Nandalal Bose of the Santini-
ketan asking if he would undertake the work of super­
vision and decoration and illumination of the
calligraphed authenticated copy of the Constitution.
Shri Nandalal Bose agreed to the President's request
but suggested that it- would not be possible to make
designs based on historical subjects as suggested by
the President, owing to shortage of space in the mar­
gin, and in the alternative agreed to make ornamental
designs covering the whole period of Indian civiliza­
tion. A decision was also taken to Photo-print the
calligraphed Constitution bearing signatures of
Members at the end.