Classification of Devanagari Typefaces

Typefaces have evolved over centuries in various scripts with cultural appropriation, traditional methods, aesthetics of the particular time period, desired need etc. The way in with the western/latin typefaces evolved is significantly different from Devanagari. Typefaces were introduced in the Devanagari script as recently as the late 18th Century. Methods of reproduction of a handwritten script have had a great impact on devanagari typefaces throughout its history of evolution. Advancement in technology still carries the imitation of the baggage of limitations that was observed in the past. Devanagari typefaces are also influenced by the calligraphic heritage and revival of a particular style, or adaptation of latin styles, appropriating for print media, treating the surface to add a desired look as seen in the hand-lettered type etc. This Research tries to classify more than 300 of these Devanagari typefaces collected samples of which are collected from local as well as international type foundries and find out spaces where novel type designs could be introduced.