Calligrapher
Practises calligraphy — the artistic, stylized form of writing and lettering.
Overview
Calligraphy is an artistic and stylized form of writing or lettering. Those who practise calligraphy are called calligraphers. Calligraphers commonly use specific tools such as a pointed nib, a broad-edged nib or a brush to write these letters.
Where they work
- Graphic Design Firms
- Educational Institutions
- Wedding Planning Companies
- Tattoo Studios
Work environment
It is a desk job. You will not handle a team. Local travel is not a part of the job profile. If you were to work for a company then you will have fixed work hours and irregular hours if you become a freelancer. Companies usually work 5 to 6 days a week 8 to 9 hours every day. Entrepreneurship: you can become a calligraphy instructor or start your own business or take up freelance projects.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are a creative person
- You pay attention to details
- You have interest in Fine Arts
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete a Bachelor's degree in any subject followed by a Master's degree (MA/MSc/MCom/MBA) in the same or related field.
- 3Complete a certificate course on calligraphy.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
Institutions offering basic and advanced level certificate courses in Calligraphy. Calligraphy can also be learned through online and distance learning models. Note the caution in "Sources and update notice" below.
Government institutes
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Calligraphy India, New Delhi (also offers a 3 month Calligraphy teacher training course)
- Achyut Pallav School of Calligraphy, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Sri Yogeshwari Institute of Handwriting, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Vikrant Karia Institute of Art, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Kalabhumi Arts, Dwarka, New Delhi
- Rajmudra Design Institute (RDA), Pune, Maharashtra
- New Learning Horizons, Nagpur, Maharashtra
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Junior Graphic Designer
- 2Midweight Designer
- 3Senior Designer
- 4Art Director/Creative Director
Related careers to explore
Artist
Creates art — painting, sculpting, poetry, music, film — as a mode of personal expression.
Visual Communication Designer
Uses visual elements to deliver information to an audience and oversees promotional campaigns.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Simran Sahni — The founder of The Calligraphy Raven. She teaches calligraphy through workshops, online courses, and printable notes. She has taught more than 500 students to date. Sahni has a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Rajasthan Technical University, Kota. She started practising calligraphy since she was 15.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 71 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/character-artist-salary-SRCH_KO0,16.htm
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The card prints all ten institutes under the heading "Government Institutes", but most are private calligraphy schools; they are re-sorted here with only IGNCA (a Ministry of Culture body) under government. The list also names Calligraphy India twice and includes the Santhwana Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy, Kochi, which does not teach calligraphy — that entry is left out. The stated income source is a "character artist" salary page, not a calligrapher one.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.