Ranjana script now available in unicode font and app

The Ranjana script, recognized as Nepal’s original script, has been digitized into a Unicode font. The unveiling of the ‘Nitya Ranjana’ Unicode font took place during a program held at the Nepal Arts Council on Saturday. Sunita Dangol, Deputy Chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, demonstrated its use by typing ‘Shri Ganeshaya Namah’ on a computer, marking the font’s release.

Developed by the Kalijatra Foundation and India’s EkType type designing organization, the Nitya Ranjana Unicode font is now available for free download. It is optimized for various digital platforms including screens, printing, and the web. Additionally, Calijatra announced plans to make the font accessible in Devanagari Unicode and Neva Unicode. The program emphasized that Ranjana Unicode offers artistic and technical enhancements compared to existing Newa fonts.

During the event, Ranjana script expert Anand Kumar Maharjan shared insights into the font’s development process, research, and resource utilization. Notably, efforts to adapt English queries and punctuation into Ranjana script were highlighted. Moreover, a Ranjana font booklet and Nepal script app were launched, allowing users to type in Devanagari and convert it to Nitya Ranjana, Ranjana script, or Nepali script, as well as vice versa. The app also facilitates the creation of custom stickers in this script, featuring works from various artists such as Bauchamaicha and The Legend of Shankhadhar.

Calijatra emphasized its commitment to preserving Nepal’s diverse languages, scripts, heritage, culture, and tourism. The event also included a demonstration of the Nitya Ranjana font design and a ‘Script Talk’ discussion involving language experts, calligraphers, typographers, design professors, and font designers, all dedicated to advancing the field of script and language.