Online learning, by definition, can be devoid of interactive classroom fun. But, more so when a heterogeneous student mix is trying to appreciate a written script (preceding Devanagari), which has ceased to be the medium of correspondence since 1960 in the state of Maharashtra.  Dr Abhidha Dhumatkar, the brain behind the 160-hour intensive course on the Modi script, has therefore, factored in students’ need for timely visual sharing of Modi writings, even as the course assumes an online life.  “What students miss the most in their digital lessons, is the blackboard joy. The script is essentially pictorial, each alphabet requiring a stroke that students love to practise and compare amongst themselves,” recalls Dr Dhumatkar,  who designed the course three years ago, initially for her own college and later, crafted an edition for all and sundry.  

At this point,  around 200 students have opted for the weekend-weekday batches, which  includes current online participants from as far as Nagpur and Kolkata.  To begin with, Dr Dhumatkar’s History department students enrolled, mainly the ones who had an induction in the Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.  But now, it enjoys a wider clientele—academics, homemakers, government officials, lawyers, archivists, artists and translators.  The upcoming Modi calligraphy workshop is another uniting platform in which the students of varying ages are going to explore the harmony in Modi lettering, for which broad-tipped pens and boru brushes will be used.  As says visual artist and Sir JJ School of Art alumna, Kavita Lele, who took the course last year, Modi—etymologically it refers to broken-bent letters—lends itself to a lyrical playfulness, as against the currently used official Devanagari. She feels Modi is a rich outreach tool for school-college notice boards. The class, in fact, inspired her to etch Modi lettering on her trademark umbrella, stoles and wall pieces.