With Every Stroke, We Shape the Future [Review]

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Book Title: Hands That Wrote History – How PREM BEHRI NARAIN RAIZADA calligraphed the Indian Constitution (The Magic Makers Series)
Author: Mamta Nainy
Illustrator: Priyankar Gupta
Publisher: Puffin
Type: Paperback
Length: 40 pages
Recommended Age: 6-8/9 years

I’m a huge history enthusiast, and I try to share the names of important historical figures with Ananya from my reading explorations. She’s already read Devika Cariappa’s Uncle Nehru, please send an Elephant! and was fascinated to learn about the newly independent era. So, when Asha Ji reached out to see if Ananya would be interested in reviewing a Magic Maker book, it was a no-brainer for me. We already have Baloo’s Big Win and Born to Bat by the same author, so I knew the book would definitely be interesting.

Beautiful handwriting is not just about neatness; it is about expressing your individuality with grace.”

Hands That Wrote History by Mamta Nainy is a tribute to the art of calligraphy and a celebration of an important moment in India’s history. The book offers us an insightful biography of Prem Bihari Narain Raizada, a lesser-known personality who has contributed to our country and its freedom. Prem is a renowned Indian calligrapher and writer. He is particularly famous for writing the first copy of our Indian Constitution in beautiful, artistic calligraphy.

The narrative revolves around Prem, a young boy in Delhi who loves to watch his Dadaji in action with his pen and paper. Having lost his parents at a young age, he was brought up by his Dadaji. Prem comes from a family of calligraphers and is inclined to become one too! He is mesmerized as Dadaji’s pen glides on paper. He imagines Dadaji’s pen to be like a magic wand, making letters bloom like flowers!

Initially, Prem is impatient and underconfident as he is unable to calligraph the letters as well as his Dadaji. Dadaji motivates him to be patient and keep trying. Witnessing his perseverance over the years, Dadaji gifts him a special set of fountain pens and a bottle of ink, telling him to use them one day when his handwritten letters will shape the world. Will there ever be an opportunity for Prem to let his handwritten letters help shape the world?

The book emphasizes that beautiful handwriting is not just about writing; it’s an art form that requires immense skill, patience, and love for one’s craft. Through this story, young readers would learn the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving greatness.

What makes this book stand out is the way it links history and art together. It helps readers understand how Raizada’s calligraphy was not just a personal achievement, but a part of a larger movement—the creation of a free and democratic India. The book reminds us that history is not just made by events but by the hands that shape them.

Your handwriting is a silent ambassador of your personality.

Here are 7 year old Ananya’s observations

Me: What did you understand from this book?
Ananya: Practice makes anyone perfect. You would not be the best at first, but we need to keep trying like how I learnt to wave board last year.
Ananya: You had told me Dr B R Ambedkar is the father of the Indian Constitution but here it says Prem wrote the Constitution.
Me: Dr B R Ambedkar played a leading role in drafting the Indian Constitution. It is not a one-man job. There were many people involved in writing the rules for our country. Prem, as you read in the book, helped in writing the rules in the appropriate handwriting.
Ananya: Okay. Can writing be more than just letters?
Me: Yes, it can be something beautiful!
Me: Did you learn anything new from this book?
Ananya: I learned a new word – Calligraphy. I can tell my friends that calligraphy is like art with pens! I also learnt about the constitution, which is again a big word!

Illustrations are lively and complement the text beautifully, enhancing the overall reading experience. There is an exclusive page right at the start explaining in layman terms what does a constitution mean and why it is important. The book is a great blend of history, culture, and the beauty of art, making it an inspiring read for anyone interested in Indian history, calligraphy, or the arts in general.

The other books in this series is Roshan’s Road to Music (Achira’s review), The Magic Makers: Looking For Inspiration: How Rabindranath Tagore Penned his Favourite Poem! , That Big-Voiced Girl (you can read Mona’s incredible review here!) .

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Disclaimer: Pooja and her daughters are a part of the #kbcReviewerSquad and received this book as a review copy from the publisher via kbc.