NCERT Class 7 Arts Kriti: Chapter 19 — The Art of Calligraphy
This chapter, "The Art of Calligraphy," explores the historical and artistic significance of scripts and writing systems. It traces India's writing systems back to the Indus-Sarasvati civilization and highlights the Brahmi script from Ashokan edicts. The chapter emphasizes the role of calligraphy in preserving languages and expressions, noting that the original Indian Constitution was handwritten by expert calligraphers. It defines calligraphy as more than just writing letters; it's an art form where artists infuse emotions into each character, creating unique expressions. The evolution of letters from drawings to organized writing systems is discussed, along with the various tools and materials used, such as quills, brushes, inks, and surfaces like palm leaves and paper. The chapter aims to help students understand the beauty and purpose behind different script styles and their cultural importance.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 7 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti |
| Chapter | Chapter 19 — The Art of Calligraphy |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 287 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical evolution of Indian scripts.
- Define calligraphy and its artistic significance.
- Identify various tools and materials used in calligraphy.
- Appreciate the role of calligraphy in preserving languages and expressions.
- Recognize the connection between ancient scripts and modern writing systems.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Calligraphy | The art of beautiful handwriting. |
| Scripts | Systems of writing. |
| Inscriptions | Words or symbols carved or engraved on a surface. |
| Manuscripts | Documents written by hand. |
| Pictograms | A pictorial symbol for a word or phrase. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What is calligraphy? Answer: Calligraphy is the art of writing letters beautifully, where artists pour emotions into each letter to create a variety of expressions.
- Name two expert calligraphers who wrote the original Constitution of India. Answer: Prem Behari Narain Raizada (English version) and Vasant Krishan Vaidya (Hindi version).
- What are some materials and tools used in calligraphy? Answer: Materials include palm leaf, cloth, and paper. Tools include quills, brushes, nibs, and inks.
- How old are the earliest decoded inscriptions in Brahmi script? Answer: The earliest decoded inscriptions in Brahmi script are almost 2300 years old.
Frequently asked questions
What is the significance of scripts?
Scripts have the power to record people's languages and expressions.
When can India's writing systems be traced back to?
India's writing systems can be traced back from the 5000-year-old Indus-Sarasvati civilization.
What is the main idea behind calligraphy?
Calligraphy is much more than the art of writing letters; artists pour emotions into each letter to create a variety of expressions.
How did letters evolve?
Letters were initially drawings, which evolved into pictograms and then into organized systems of writing.
What surfaces can be used for calligraphy?
Surfaces like palm leaf, cloth, and paper can be used for calligraphy.
How many languages does the Indian constitution officially recognise?
The Indian constitution officially recognises 22 languages.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 7 Arts — Kriti — Chapter 19 — The Art of Calligraphy. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.