A Delhi Police sub-inspector who has made a world record in calligraphy writing

Sub-inspector, Syamalan PP, is a 55-year-old Delhi Police official who holds four national records and has recently made a world record in calligraphy.

One often blames one’s profession and untimely work hours for not being able to pursue one’s passion. But, Delhi Police sub-inspector Syamalan PP is a brilliant example of how to perfect time-management, while making the most of one’s talent. “I’ve been calligraphing since I was seven or eight. At that time, there was hardly any importance given to this art, and it was just my talent of drawing or sketching that got noticed,” says Syamalan. The 55-year-old made a record in calligraphy writing in the presence of adjudicator of India Star Book of World Records, on October 1.

The words on this foundation stone were written by Syamalan.

This is not the first time Syamalan has created a record. He already holds four Limca Book of Records for the years 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, in calligraphy writing style.

The officer from Kerala believes that his mother tongue, Malayalam has helped him take to calligraphy, and excel in it. “Seeing my interest in arts, my mother introduced him to the world of calligraphy. I then started practising various styles of writing and really liked the alphabets in creative fonts. If you see how Malayalam is written, it looks like a calligraphy text only. To be true, awareness of the same has helped me in writing and creating various forms,” he says.

Syamalan practises calligraphy as and when he gets time. (Shivam Saxena/HT Photo)

Syamalan, who joined Delhi Police’s Communication Unit in 1982, is often the go-to person for his colleagues, when it comes to writing letters for higher authorities. “In initial days of my job, I got ample time to devote myself to my passion. There wasn’t much work in the Communication Unit, and I could practice this art almost everyday. Also, I’m thankful to Delhi Police for motivating me to grow,” he adds.