The process of writing in the Gurmukhī script (esp. in the old Sikh manuscripts) represents a profound significance of Guru Nanak Dev ji’s philosophical worldview. Hand written Guru Granth Sahib with 714 folios was produced at the heights of the Sikh manuscript tradition from 18th till the 19th centuries. Affluent Sikh patrons would commission highly talented scribes to produce elaborately decorative copies of the Guru Granth Sahib (Fig. 6, 7 and 8).
Figure 6. Hand written Guru Granth Sahib from Dr. Gurpal Singh Bhuller collection, ca. 1830-1860
Figure 7. The continuous, modulated bi-colour chains of Gurmukhi writings in Illuminated Guru Granth Sahib,
ca. 19th century Suresh Bhalla collection (7a) and red-black uniform gurmukhi writing from
Ch 3, Bhagawad Gita in Punjabi script: CC-0 Punjab University Chandigarh
Figure 8. The continuous, modulated letterforms of Gurmukhi as part of The Guru Granth Saheb (5a) and
traditional pothi written script scrolls (5b) | Mann (2008) | Source: Sikhnet.org
