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'Takhti' writing slips into history's dustbin
Lahore, Jan 21, 2008: Writing takhti, a traditional wooden writing slate, used
especially by schoolchildren for improving their handwriting, has become
obsolete, especially in urban areas.
Young children, carrying takhtis
under their armpits, has become a rare sight in big cities, however, the
practice still continues in rural areas, where a majority of students of public
and private schools improve their writing on wooden slates with straw
pens.
In big cities, students use writing books for improving their
handwriting, which according to most teachers, has not proved to be a true
alternative to takhtis.
People, associated with calligraphy and fine
art, are very critical of the declining trend of use of takhti and view it a
threat to regional calligraphic art.
They believe takhti not only helps
students develop good handwriting skills but also nourishes their calligraphic
sense.
Urdu Bazaar, a hub of stationery items in the country, once had
countless stalls and shops where takhtis were sold, but the situation is totally
different today. Few stalls offer the item and according to shopkeepers, most
buyers are from rural areas. "Once, it was a booming business, but now it is
only a side item at most shops," a stall owner at Urdu Bazaar said.
A number of schoolteachers said use of takhti had
produced wonderful results in improving handwriting skills of students,
especially Urdu. "Students were discouraged from using ball-point pens as they
ruined handwriting," Aslam, a teacher, said.
He said though use of
takhti was a bit difficult task for students as they had to bring the wooden
slates to school and wash them after every use, yet their importance for
academic development could not be denied.
Akmal, a father of two, said he
had bought takhtis for his children. "Handwriting matters immensely, therefore,
I asked my children, who have poor writing, to use them at home despite the fact
their school doe not allow them," he added.
Special Secretary (Schools)
Capt (retd) Zahid Saeed said takhti writing had never been compulsory at
government schools, adding that it was more of the teachers' initiative. He also
expressed his disappointment over the declining trend of takhti use, saying it
helped greatly in improving handwriting of students.
Punjab University
College of Arts and Design Principal Hassan Shahnawaz Zaidi said use of takhti
not only helped students improve their writing but also developed a sense for
calligraphy. "It was like going towards perfection," he added.
"It
(takhti) offers practice for calligraphy and even helps develop skills in
Khat-e-Nastaliq, a very beautiful script," he added. The News
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