From Clay to Ink: The Forgotten Art of Handwriting on Takhtis
M Atif Ismail
Multan: In a not-so-distant past, primary schools laid the foundation for students’ learning and skills, particularly emphasizing the art of handwriting, through the use of traditional tools like the takhti (wooden slate), inkpot, and reed pen.
In the Seraiki region, children were not referred to as “Prep” or “Nursery” students but were simply known as students in the “Kachi” or “Paki” classes.
These students did not enjoy the luxury of pick-and-drop services. Instead, they carried their books and small wooden slates in cloth bags and walked to school in groups. Their slates were coated with Multani mitti (clay) overnight, ready for daily use.
During the half-day school break, students would reapply clay to their slates at the school’s single water pump, accompanied by a lively chorus of chatter. This noise was neither bothersome to teachers nor to the community.
The charm of the takhti lay in its simplicity. Students used inkpots filled with natural dyes and pens crafted from reeds to practice numerals and Urdu alphabets, perfecting their handwriting with beauty and finesse.
Retired Headmaster Faiz Ahmed recalls the essence of this bygone era with nostalgia. “When I see the weak and poor handwriting of my grandchildren, I’m reminded of the takhti era,” he shared with APP. “A teacher can instill a five-year foundation in handwriting that lasts fifty years. Back then, top students with beautiful handwriting consistently secured the top three positions in exams,” he added.
In those days, notebooks, pencils, and English language learning were reserved for older students and only introduced from the sixth grade in high schools. By that time, the students’ handwriting, honed through takhti writing, had become so remarkable that they often earned additional marks for the attractive presentation of their exam papers.
Dr. Tahir Abbas, a professor of Urdu at a university, emphasized the enduring value of calligraphy. “Even a simple slate from that era holds significance today because the beauty of the handwritten words on it remains unmatched.
While some exams have transitioned to digital platforms, students with beautiful penmanship still receive extra marks in handwritten exams,” he noted.
Slate writing, with its hand-crafted precision, was more than a skill—it was an art form. Its advantages extended well beyond school years, benefitting students throughout college and professional life.
Although the age of slates, inkpots, and reed pens has faded, replaced by modern educational tools, the need for teachers who can nurture elegance in handwriting remains.
Revitalizing this art could reignite a passion for both writing and reading. Students who learned calligraphy on slates decades ago have become some of the finest teachers today, their handwriting still vibrant and sophisticated despite the passage of time.
