School Skills
Handwriting and calligraphy
Neat, quick handwriting in English and Hindi, then the basic strokes of calligraphy.
Suits: School children and teenagers
Duration, fees and batch timings are quoted by the head office or your centre.
The study book of this course
- Handwriting and Calligraphy
- 1Posture, grip and paper position
- 2Basic strokes and the shapes of letters
- 3Slant, spacing and the baseline
- 4Neat print and joined cursive
- 5Hindi (Devanagari) handwriting basics
- 6Speed with legibility
- 7Calligraphy tools and materials
- 8Italic and modern calligraphy strokes
- 9Flourishes, layout and a finished quotation
- 10A practice routine and patience
- Lessons
- 10
- Practice questions
- 40
- Free ebooks
- 0
About the course
What the handwriting and calligraphy course is about
Neat handwriting starts with how the pencil is held and how the paper sits, not with the letters. The course covers posture, grip, slant, spacing and the baseline, in English and in Hindi, including the headline of Devanagari letters.
Once the basics are steady, students learn the strokes of calligraphy with a brush pen or a broad-edge pen, practise drills and flourishes, and lay out a quotation or a greeting card.
What you will practise
Drawn from the lessons of the study books below.
- 01
Sit, grip and position the paper correctly
- 02
Write evenly spaced letters on the baseline
- 03
Write clear Hindi letters with a straight headline
- 04
Increase speed without losing legibility
- 05
Practise basic calligraphy strokes and drills
- 06
Lay out a quotation or card with balanced spacing
What you will learn
10 lessons, 20 exercises
Every lesson of the study book that comes with this course in the student portal, with the key points of each lesson and exercises to try. Your centre gives you the syllabus, the duration and the fee.
Study book
Handwriting and Calligraphy
Develop clear, comfortable and attractive handwriting in English and Hindi, from posture and pencil grip to neat cursive, and then move on to the basics of calligraphy with pens, brush pens and ink.
1Posture, grip and paper position3 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Sit tall with both feet on the floor and forearms resting on the table.
- Hold the pencil lightly with the tripod grip, a little above the tip.
- Tilt the page to suit your writing hand and keep light on the opposite side.
- A short hand warm-up makes lines smoother.
Try this
- Write your name five times with a very tight grip, then five times with a relaxed grip. Compare the two lines.
- Draw one full page of loops, waves and zig-zags as a warm-up.
2Basic strokes and the shapes of letters4 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Letters are built from a few simple strokes: lines, circles, humps and cups.
- Four-line paper shows the ascender, waist, base and descender zones.
- Always start each letter at the same point and move in the same direction.
- Close the round letters and keep loops equal in size.
Try this
- On four-line paper, write one row each of the family "a c d g o q" and "n m h r", ten letters per row.
- Circle the three letters in your name that are the least neat and rewrite each one five times.
3Slant, spacing and the baseline3 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Choose one slant and keep it the same for every letter.
- Space letters evenly and leave about one "o" width between words.
- Keep all small letters sitting on the baseline.
- Keep a straight margin and enough space between lines.
Try this
- Copy the sentence "The red fort stands in Delhi" three times, on a ruled page, checking slant with a ruler.
- Write a short paragraph and put a pencil dot between each pair of words to practise even word spacing.
4Neat print and joined cursive4 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Print writing is clear and best for forms, labels and diagrams.
- Cursive joins letters with small connecting strokes for flow.
- Practise joins in common pairs such as "an", "ou", "th" and "ing".
- A consistent, readable style matters more than a particular type.
Try this
- Write the words "minimum", "mountain" and "unusual" five times each in cursive.
- Copy a short paragraph from your textbook first in print, then in joined writing, and see which one is easier to read.
5Hindi (Devanagari) handwriting basics4 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Devanagari letters hang from the shirorekha, the head line.
- Write the whole word first, then draw one straight line across the top.
- Keep the main letters equal in height and the matras small but clear.
- Learn conjuncts such as क्ष, त्र, ज्ञ as whole shapes.
Try this
- Write the words "किताब", "पानी", "स्कूल" and "दिल्ली" five times each, drawing the head line after the letters.
- Write the matra family on the letter क (का, कि, की, कु, कू, के, कै, को, कौ) in neat rows.
6Speed with legibility3 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Master clear letter shapes first, then use joins to speed up.
- Timed copying twice a week builds speed slowly and safely.
- A relaxed grip prevents tired hands.
- Clear numerals and spacing keep exam answers readable.
Try this
- Copy a paragraph for two minutes, count the words and write the number down. Repeat after a week and compare.
- Write the digits 0 to 9 clearly in a row, three times, and check that 1 and 7, 4 and 9 look different.
7Calligraphy tools and materials4 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Begin with a pencil, then felt-tip or brush pens, before trying nib pens.
- Broad-edge pens vary line width with the direction of the stroke.
- Smooth paper and the right ink make cleaner lines.
- Cap pens, clean nibs and store ink upright to protect tools and clothes.
Try this
- List the tools you have at home and write which you will use for calligraphy practice.
- Rule a sheet with guide lines and draw ten slanting lines with a pencil, then repeat with a pen of your choice.
8Italic and modern calligraphy strokes4 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Italic uses a broad-edge pen kept at a steady angle of about 45 degrees.
- Letters belong to stroke families: ladder, arch, oval and point.
- In modern calligraphy, downstrokes are thick and upstrokes are thin.
- Daily drills build control before you write words.
Try this
- Fill one page with each drill: slanted downstrokes, up-and-down "u" shapes, arches and ovals.
- Write your first name in italic or brush style, with pencil guide lines, and compare it to your normal handwriting.
9Flourishes, layout and a finished quotation4 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Flourishes are sparingly used decorative extensions of existing strokes.
- Plan with a thumbnail sketch before inking the final piece.
- Pencil the text first, check spelling, then ink and erase the guides when dry.
- Keep decoration simple so that the lettering remains the focus.
Try this
- Choose a short quotation, make a thumbnail sketch and then complete a pencil version on a card.
- Ink the card, let it dry, then erase the guidelines and add a simple border.
10A practice routine and patience3 min read · 4 key points · 2 exercises
Key points
- Short daily practice beats occasional long sessions.
- A routine of warm-up, drills, letters and review keeps practice focused.
- Compare monthly samples of the same sentence to see progress.
- Patience and enjoyment matter more than perfection.
Try this
- Plan a weekly timetable of 15 to 20 minutes of practice and stick it near your study table.
- Write a hand-written note to a family member and keep a copy to compare next month.
Glossary: 26 key terms of Handwriting and Calligraphy
- Tripod grip
- Holding a pen with the thumb, index finger and middle finger working together.
- Baseline
- The line on which small letters sit.
- Waist line
- The line marking the top of small letters such as a, c and o.
- Ascender
- The part of a letter that rises above the waist line, as in b, d, h and l.
- Descender
- The part of a letter that drops below the baseline, as in g, p and y.
- Slant
- The angle at which letters lean to the right or stand upright.
- Legibility
- How easily handwriting can be read by another person.
- Print writing
- Handwriting with separate, unjoined letters.
- Cursive
- Handwriting in which letters are joined by connecting strokes.
- Manuscript
- Another name for print-style handwriting taught to children.
- Shirorekha
- The horizontal head line on top of most Devanagari letters.
- Matra
- A vowel sign attached to a Devanagari consonant.
- Conjunct
- Two or more consonants joined into one shape, such as क्ष or त्र.
- Nukta
- A dot placed under some Devanagari letters to change the sound.
- Calligraphy
- The art of beautiful, decorative handwriting.
- Nib
- The metal tip of a pen that touches the paper.
- Broad-edge pen
- A pen with a flat, chisel-shaped tip that makes thick and thin lines depending on direction.
- Brush pen
- A pen with a flexible tip that gives thick strokes with pressure and thin strokes with a light touch.
- Pen angle
- The angle between the flat edge of the nib and the baseline.
- Italic
- A slanted, narrow, graceful calligraphy style.
- Downstroke
- A stroke written from top to bottom.
- Upstroke
- A stroke written from bottom to top, usually thin in modern calligraphy.
- Flourish
- A decorative curve added to a letter.
- Drill
- A repeated practice exercise for a basic stroke.
- Thumbnail sketch
- A small rough plan of how text and decoration will be laid out.
- Kerning
- The adjustment of space between two letters so that they look even.
Practice and study material
Study books and timed practice tests in the student portal
Students sign in to read the study books lesson by lesson, print them, mark lessons as done and test themselves with timed practice tests, every answer explained.
- 1study book
- 10lessons
- 40practice questions
- 26glossary terms
How the practice tests work
- Fresh questions each time
Up to 20 questions are picked at random from the subject’s question bank.
- One minute per question
A timer counts down. When it reaches zero, your answers are sent automatically.
- Move around freely
Skip a question, flag it, and come back to change your answer before you submit.
- Learn from every answer
At the end you see the right answer and an explanation for each question.
- Read, print and keep track
Each study book has its lessons, key points, exercises and a glossary. Print a lesson, or mark it as done.
Your centre gives you your login when you enrol.
Try 3 practice questions
Real questions from this course’s question banks. Pick an answer to see the explanation.
Which of these is a conjunct in Devanagari?
Show the answer
Answer: D. क्ष
क्ष joins क and ष into one conjunct shape.
What should you do after using a dip nib?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Wash it in water and dry it gently
Washing and drying prevents rust and keeps the nib clean.
Which is the best attitude to mistakes in practice?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Treat them as part of learning and review them calmly
Mistakes show what to improve and everyone makes them.
Careers
Careers this course leads towards
The kind of work these skills are used for. Each guide explains what the job involves, the skills it asks for and how to get started.
Graphic designer and DTP operator
Laying out visiting cards, posters, pamphlets and banners, and preparing files that print correctly.
How admission works
From your first question to your certificate.
The usual steps, at the head office in Delhi or at an authorised member centre.
- Who can join
- School children and teenagers
- Where
- The Delhi head office and authorised member centres.
- Fees and timings
- On WhatsApp at +91 97116 99511, or by phone on 011 2721 1512.
- 1
Ask about the course
Call or WhatsApp the head office, or visit your nearest member centre. Ask for the duration, the fee and the batch timings in writing.
- 2
Fill the admission form
Admission forms are supplied by the head office to every centre.
- 3
Learn in class
Attend your batch at the centre, with the course material and study notes, and sign in to the student portal for the study books and practice tests.
- 4
Take the exam
The institute prefers written exams, taken in front of a teacher.
- 5
Receive your certificate
Students who pass get a Gurukul Technicals Institute certificate and marksheet. Employers can verify it with the head office.
Questions
Questions about the handwriting and calligraphy course
Still have a question?
Chat on WhatsAppWho can join the handwriting and calligraphy course?
School children and teenagers. Ask the head office or your nearest member centre which group your child should join, and what they already know will help them start in the right place.
How long is the course and what is the fee?
Duration, fees and batch timings depend on the course and the centre. Ask the head office or your nearest member centre, and get the details in writing before you pay.
Where are the classes?
At the head office in Delhi (A-10, Chief Commissioner Colony, opposite Rana Pratap Bagh) and at authorised member centres. Call or WhatsApp the head office to find the nearest centre.
What do I need to use the study books and practice tests?
A phone or a computer with an internet connection, and the login your centre gives you at enrolment. The student portal opens in an ordinary web browser, so there is nothing to install. Student login.
How do the practice tests work?
Sign in to the student portal and choose a subject. Each test picks up to 20 questions at random from that subject’s question bank and gives you one minute per question, with a timer that sends your answers automatically when it reaches zero. You can skip a question, flag it and come back before you submit, and at the end you see the right answer and an explanation for every question. This course has 40 practice questions across 1 subject, and you can take the tests as often as you like.
Is there an exam and a certificate?
Yes. The institute prefers written exams, taken in front of a teacher. Students who pass receive a Gurukul Technicals Institute certificate and marksheet.
How is a Gurukul Technicals Institute certificate verified?
On the verify certificate page, anyone can enter a certificate number and check it against the institute’s online register, which covers certificates issued through the portal. For older certificates, or if there is any doubt, send a copy to the head office by email or WhatsApp; the reply comes within 2 working days.
Ready to start the handwriting and calligraphy course?
Ask the head office for the duration, the fee, the batch timings and your nearest member centre.