Calligraphy - The art of drawing beautiful hand letterings is also known as art of fine writing or making of the attractive scripts.

It is derived from the Greek word kalla meaning "beauty", and graphia meaning "writing." (beauty + writing in greek: κάλλος + γραφή)

In calligraphy, the letters can represent the meaning of the script and the skill behind calligraphy is to express the beauty of written letters.  There are many styles of calligraphy and writing.

To bring the creative meaning to letters, various types of strokes are drawn by using different kinds of writing devices known as tools of calligraphy. These could be as varied as pen nibs, quills, bamboo sticks, brushes, a craft knife, etc. It is also encouraged to make and try out your own tool for practicing calligraphy.

Before the invention of printing, letterforms used to be scribed on different mediums like stones, leaves and paper.

Calligraphy has been practiced in several different cultures. These all have influenced the modern style of calligraphy that we know today. The Chinese, the Arabic, the Turks and the Indian cultures were all early pioneers in the art.

A Calligram of Lord Ganesha with beeja-akshra 'Gan'
Script: Devanagiri, Calligrapher: R. K. Joshi

Writing tools used for calligraphy:
Many different writing devices can be used to do calligraphy. Some of the commonly used tools are brushes, bamboo sticks, etc. You could also make your own writing device or you could improvise using objects that are easily available like a toothbrush, sponge, ice-cream stick.

Here is a list of calligraphic tools:
• Bamboo and Reed Pens
• Fountain Calligraphy Pen
• Felt Tip Pens
• Paint Brush
• Pencils
• Quills

Writing surface - Different mediums used for writing Calligraphy:
The letterforms are drawn on different types of papers, cloths, leaves, etc. The texture of the surface as well as the absorption properties of the material makes a difference to the calligraphic strokes.

Here is a list of different types of papers used for writing Calligraphy:
• Parchment Paper
• Copier Paper
• Onion skin Paper
• Rice Paper
• Pencils
• Quills.