A Living Portrait of India
A Living Portrait of India |
India Heritage:Science:Print Technology |
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Eighteenth
and nineteenth century Indian manuscripts were written in mainly four
colours - gold and silver, used by the wealthy; black was a favourite colour of ink; red was used mainly in border designs and at the beginning and close of the manuscripts. Ink manufacturing was a specialized task and Brahmins seemed to hold the prerogative. The surname Raktavan denoted a professional ink-maker. Gold and silver colours were derived from the metals themselves, while black ink was obtained from kajjala (soot/lampblack). Red ink was sourced from darada (red lead), alaktaka (red sap), and gairika (red chalk). One method of manufacturing black ink -- lampblack, roasted rice, some sugar, and on occasion, kesurte plant juice. A meticulous process, since the lampblack could very easily settle at the bottom. Gloss was a desirable feature and could be had by adding acacia gum. Such ink was appropriate for writing on paper. A decoction of atta and kesurte (Verbesina scandens) juice was ideal for palm leaf manuscripts - the ink would be absorbed by the leaf, hence remain clear and glossy through centuries! Another means of writing on palm leaf was by 'writing' on the leaf with a sharp iron stylus, and then smearing a mixture of soot and oil over it. A cloth was used to clear away any excess. This ink was produced by burning either coconut halves, almonds or kacalis, and adding oil to the soot so obtained. SUORCE The Cultural Heritage of India Editors - Priyadaranjan Ray & S.N. Sen Publishers - The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of CultureHistory of Science & Technology in India Editors - G. Kuppuram & K. Kumudamami Publishers - Sundeep PrakashanConcise Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Publishers - McGraw-Hill.Masters of the Millennium - 100 Indians who shaped the century Publishers - The Sunday Observer (special edition). |
