Malcolm Rivera
The original Constitution of India was handwritten by Prem Behari Narain Raizada (Saxena), a noted calligrapher. Raizada spent six months handwriting 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble in both English and Hindi. The calligraphy was done using a holder and a No. 303 nib. The illustrations in the book represent styles from different civilizations of the subcontinent, ranging from prehistoric times to the present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Prem Behari Narain Raizada (Saxena) |
| Father's Name | Shree Brij Behari Narain Raizada |
| Native Place | Delhi |
| Tools Used | Holder and nib (No. 303 nib) |
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What You'll Learn
Prem Behari Narain Raizada: the calligrapher
Prem Behari Narain Raizada, also known as Prem Behari Narain Raizada (Saxena), is the calligrapher who hand-wrote the original Constitution of India. He is the son of Shree Brij Behari Narain Raizada of Delhi and is a noted calligrapher.
The process of drafting the Constitution of India began on August 29, 1947, when the Constituent Assembly set up a Drafting Committee to formulate a draft. After 11 sessions, endless debates, and amendments, the Constitution for the newly independent nation was ready. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted the Constitution handwritten in a flowing italic style, and Prem Behari Narain Raizada was chosen for the task.
Raizada worked on the Constitution for six months, handwriting 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble in both English and Hindi. He used a holder and a No. 303 nib to create the calligraphy. The original document is kept in a special nitrogen-filled hermetically sealed case in the Library of the Parliament of India.
In addition to Raizada's calligraphy, the Constitution features unique decorations and illuminations by artists Beohar Rammanohar Sinha and Nandalal Bose from Shanti Niketan, along with other artists from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University. The Constitution in Hindi was written by another calligrapher, Vasant Krishna Vaidya.
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Nandalal Bose: the illuminator
Nandalal Bose, born on December 3, 1882, in a middle-class Bengali family in Haveli Kharagpur, in the Munger district of Bihar state, is known as the artist laureate of India. He was a pupil of Abanindranath Tagore and is known for his "Indian style" of painting. He became the principal of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan in 1922.
Bose was influenced by the Tagore family and the murals of the Ajanta Caves; his classic works include paintings of scenes from Indian mythologies, women, and village life. Bose was also influenced by Japanese painters in Calcutta, which impressed upon him the significance of valuing one's artistic heritage. He was part of an international circle of artists and writers seeking to revive classical Indian culture, which included Okakura Kakuzō, William Rothenstein, Yokoyama Taikan, and Eric Gill, among others.
Bose created a black-and-white linocut print of Mahatma Gandhi walking with a staff to mark Gandhi's 1930 arrest for protesting the British tax on salt. This artwork became the iconic image for the non-violence movement. In 1938, at the request of Mahatma Gandhi, he created a set of seven posters for the Haripura Session of the Indian National Congress. Jawaharlal Nehru also commissioned him to sketch the emblems for the Government of India's awards, including the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Shri.
Along with his student Beohar Rammanohar, Nandalal Bose was responsible for illuminating the original manuscript of the Constitution of India. His contributions to the Constitution of India acknowledged his role in creating a new art movement in India. Today, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi holds 7,000 of his works in its collection. He passed away on April 16, 1966, in Santiniketan, and his works are now considered National Art Treasures.
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Beohar Rammanohar Sinha: the illustrator
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha is one of the artists credited with illuminating the original calligraphed Constitution of India. The original Constitution was calligraphed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a noted calligrapher, in both English and Hindi. It took him six months to handwrite 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble. The illustrations in the book represent styles from different civilisations of the subcontinent, ranging from the prehistoric Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley to the present.
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, along with Nandalal Bose, was responsible for decorating each page of the original Constitution. Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, illuminated the book with his students from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University. Beohar Rammanohar Sinha was specifically credited for the Preamble page. The other artists who illuminated the Constitution included Dinanath Bhargava (who created the emblem of India), Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A. Perumal, Vinayak Sivram Masoji, and three of Nandalal Bose's children: Biswarup Bose (and his wife Nibedita), Gauri Bhanja (and her daughter, Bani Patel), and Jamuna Sen.
The process of drafting the Constitution of India took almost three years, with 11 sessions of the Constituent Assembly. The first session of the Indian Constitution Drafting Committee was held on 29 August 1947, and the final Constitution was ready by 1949. Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted the Constitution handwritten in a flowing italic style, which is why Prem Behari Narain Raizada was chosen for the task. The original Constitution is kept in a special nitrogen-filled hermetically sealed case in the Library of the Parliament of India.
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The document: 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble
The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document consisting of 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble. It was the product of meticulous drafting and collaboration, reflecting the country's rich history and cultural diversity. The original calligraphed draft of this significant document was penned by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a skilled calligrapher. Raizada meticulously crafted each word, using a holder and a specific No. 303 nib, to ensure the text was not only legible but also aesthetically pleasing.
The Constitution's 395 articles are divided into 22 parts, each addressing distinct aspects of the country's governance and legal framework. These articles encompass a wide range of topics, including the name and territory of the Union, the admission or establishment of new states, citizenship provisions, and much more. Each article contributes to the foundation of India's legal system, outlining the rights and responsibilities of its citizens and the functioning of its government.
The 8 schedules of the Constitution are equally important, providing supplementary information and details that support the articles. Schedules can include lists, such as the official languages of India, the distribution of powers between the Union and the States, or specific procedures and regulations. They serve as an essential reference point, ensuring the smooth implementation of the articles and providing clarity on various administrative matters.
The preamble of the Constitution holds a special significance. It serves as an introduction and a statement of the fundamental values and principles upon which the Indian nation is built. The preamble sets the tone for the entire document, outlining the goals and aspirations of the Indian people, such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is a reminder of the country's guiding principles and the ideals that shape its laws and governance.
The Constitution of India, with its 395 articles, 8 schedules, and preamble, stands as a testament to the country's commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of its citizens' rights. It is a living document that has evolved through various amendments to adapt to the changing needs and circumstances of the nation. The intricate calligraphy of the original copy, executed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, further emphasizes the importance and beauty of this foundational text.
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The reproduction: 1,000 photolithographic copies
The original Constitution of India was calligraphed by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, using a holder and nib (No. 303 nib) and illuminated by Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, and his students from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University.
The original copy is kept in a special nitrogen-filled hermetically sealed case in the Library of the Parliament of India. However, 1,000 photolithographic copies of the Constitution of India were also produced. Photolithography is a process by which images are photographically transferred to a matrix (either an aluminium plate or, less frequently, a stone), and then printed by hand. In the case of the Constitution of India, the photolithographic process was carried out at the Survey of India Offices, Hathibarkala, Dehra Dun.
Photolithography is an important technique for microfabrication and is used in the fabrication of microelectromechanical systems and complex integrated circuits. It involves coating a substrate with a light-sensitive material called a photoresist, exposing it to light through a mask to form a pattern, and then developing the pattern by removing the exposed photoresist. The exposed areas undergo a chemical change, making them either soluble or insoluble in a developer solution. After development, the pattern is transferred onto the substrate through etching, chemical vapor deposition, or ion implantation processes.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is typically used in photolithography, and the process can be classified into different types based on the type of light used, including ultraviolet lithography, deep ultraviolet lithography, extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), and X-ray lithography. The necessary machines for photolithography can be costly, and special clean rooms are required. Additionally, advanced equipment and treatments such as robotic wafer track systems, coater/developer machines, and thinning agents may be used in the photolithographic process. The process also involves transparencies and photolithographic plates, which are exposed to light in a light table or lithographic press.
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Frequently asked questions
Prem Behari Narain Raizada (Saxena) is the man who hand wrote the original Constitution of India.
The Constituent Assembly took almost 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days to complete the task of drafting this historic document. There were a total of 11 sessions of the Constituent Assembly during this period.
Prem Behari Narain Raizada used a holder and nib (No. 303 nib) to calligraph the Constitution of India.
