Akuru Blog

• In today's fast-paced world, technology has opened up endless possibilities for creative expression. From social media platforms to video streaming sites, the internet has provided a virtual stage for people to showcase their talents and connect with others from all over the world. One such platform that has gained immense popularity is Tok Live – a live streaming website that allows users to engage with their audience in real-time through live videos and chat.

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• But what if we told you that you could take your creativity to the next level on Tok Live with the help of Akuru.Space?

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• Akuru.Space is a collective of language and typography enthusiasts, who are passionate about promoting the beauty of diverse writing systems. As an official Microsoft Font vendor, they have been actively working towards igniting interest in language and typography through various initiatives.

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• And now, Akuru.Space has joined hands with Tok Live to bring a unique and exciting experience for users – exploring different writing systems, fonts, and typography styles while live streaming on the NSFW platform.

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• Through this collaboration, Akuru.Space aims to break the monotony of commonly used fonts and bring something fresh and visually appealing to the screen. Imagine going live on Tok Live with a beautiful Thaana font or incorporating creative alphabets from various languages into your TikTok performances – the possibilities are endless.

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• But it's not just about using different fonts; it's about celebrating these diverse writing systems and understanding the stories behind them. Through Akuru.Space's partnership with Tok Live, viewers and users will have the opportunity to learn about different languages and their unique typography styles, ultimately fostering a sense of inclusivity and appreciation for diversity.

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• Moreover, this collaboration also aims to empower creators to think outside the box and unleash their creativity without any limits. The live NSFW streaming platform, Tok Live, provides a safe and supportive environment for users to express themselves freely, and now with Akuru.Space's involvement, the possibilities for creativity are endless.

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• As Akuru.Space celebrates Literary Month and their successful 30 Days of Akuru 2020 initiative, they continue to inspire and educate people about the beauty of language and typography. And with Tok Live, they are taking their mission to a whole new level, reaching a wider audience and providing a unique experience for both creators and viewers.

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• So why wait? Unleash your creativity today on Tok Live with the help of Akuru.Space. Explore different fonts, express yourself in diverse languages, and be a part of a global tapestry of creativity and inclusivity – all on one platform. Together, let's celebrate the power and beauty of language and typography.

Reading stands as one of the most vital and irreplaceable skills in the human experience. It not only enhances our knowledge but also fuels our creativity. It is with this appreciation for the written word that the month of September is honored as Literary Month. This is the time when book fairs and literary festivals blossom in and around Colombo. Recognizing the integral role of letters in supporting reading, literature, and language, Akuru, meaning 'letters,' naturally joined the festivities with its own array of events.

Under the banner of 'Akuru Celebrating Literary Month,' a successful series of both online and offline events unfolded, each dedicated to the celebration of language, literature, and letters. Every weekend in September featured a unique and engaging affair:

• September 5th – Movie Night (The Linguist): Participants gathered at the W.A. Silva Museum for a free online screening of 'The Linguist,' an award-winning documentary following linguists on a global quest to document dying languages. The movie sparked personal reflections on native languages and the contemporary challenges faced by languages and letters.

• September 12th – 'Learnings from Type History' Online Discussion: The second weekend brought together three international type researchers. Dr. Pedro Amado shared insights into the revival of the Portuguese letterpress, Prof. Udaya Kumar delved into Tamil letterpress studies, and Dr. De Baerdemaeker contributed with research on early Tibetan or Javanese type. Dr. Sumantri Samarawickrama, Akuru Co-founder, skillfully moderated this enlightening international panel.

• September 19th – 'Maname' Font Launch & Font Discussion: This event provided a unique glimpse into the art of font creation with Pathum Egodawatta. 'Maname,' developed as part of Pathum's Masters, aimed to impart a novel texture to Sinhala body text. The session revealed the fascinating journey from concept to a beautifully crafted font, leaving the Akuru Collective eager to explore its potential in future designs and publications.

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• September 26th – Akuru Collective Annual Get-Together: The month-long celebration culminated in the Akuru Annual Get-Together during the last week of September 2020. Members, volunteers, W.A. Silva Foundation members, friends, and well-wishers gathered for an evening of good music and lively conversations. Pathum Egodawatta, co-founder, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support received, acknowledging the valuable efforts of the steering committee members with a small token of appreciation. With that, 'Akuru Celebrating Literary Month' drew to a close, leaving everyone excited for what lies ahead.

In the rich tapestry of Sri Lanka's linguistic history, Sinhala typography has been evolving since the year 1737. Fast forward to the present day, and ColomboType #007 emerges as a testament to the vibrant spirit of innovation within the Sinhala typography landscape.

Leading this revolution is the visionary Janaka Attanayake, a renowned typographer and a key player in the field of communication design at the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Janaka's journey includes the inception of the "Golu" typeface, a milestone achievement in Sinhala typography, as well as contributions to script development, font design, linguistic research, calligraphy, and educational outreach through video content.

His influence extends beyond the boundaries of academia, as evidenced by the groundbreaking "Golu" font making its mark at the Akurucon Symposium in March 2018. This event, held at the grand Kandy House, marked a significant chapter in the narrative of this revolutionary typeface.

Delving into the specifics of the "Golu" font, it serves as a powerful tool for expression, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary Sinhala script. Janaka's meticulous attention to detail and dedication to preserving the essence of Sinhala calligraphy have resulted in a font that stands at the intersection of heritage and modernity.

On a broader scale, the "Golu" typeface contributes to the advancement of Sinhala typography, empowering individuals with a new means of creative expression. Its introduction has sparked discussions within the typography community, paving the way for collaborative efforts and a shared enthusiasm for the evolution of Sinhala script.

As we embrace this new chapter in Sinhala typography with the introduction of ColomboType #007, unveiled on December 19, 2020, at 6:30 PM on Akuru's YouTube channel, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery. The event, hosted by the esteemed Kosala Senevirathne, promises to be an engaging exploration of the intricacies of this innovative Sinhala typeface.

For those interested, further details about the event and the Colombo Type #007 can be found in the following section. Your participation in this discourse is not only welcome but encouraged as we collectively celebrate the fusion of tradition and modernity in the world of Sinhala typography.

• In September 2020, Akuru Collective embarked on a collaborative venture with the vibrant type community of the Maldives, delving into '26 Days of Thaana.'

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• Inspired by the original '36 Days of Type,' this open-call project welcomed designers, illustrators, and graphic artists to share their unique interpretations of the letters and numbers within the Thaana Script. Thaana serves as the writing system for the Dhivehi language in the Maldives, resembling Arabic in its right-to-left writing style. However, akin to Sinhala and Tamil scripts, Thaana incorporates vowels with diacritic marks known as 'filli.' Engaging with and experimenting graphically with this distinctive script proved to be a delightful and novel experience for the Akuru community in Sri Lanka.

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• Originating as '36 Days of Thaana' in previous years, the project featured both Thaana letters and Latin numbers in its calendar. However, in 2020, the organizing committee made the decision to focus exclusively on the 25 letters of the Thaana alphabet, supplemented by 1 bonus day. '26 Days of Thaana' unfolded from September 1st to September 26th, showcasing participation from a more extensive global community of designers and illustrators compared to previous editions.

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• Akuru Collective sees this international collaboration as a testament to the genuine spirit of the global type community, especially during a time marked by a global pandemic. Eagerly anticipating future collaborations with Maldivian type enthusiasts, we extend a warm invitation to all to join our next venture, '30 Days of Akuru.

• In the dynamic world of language and typography, Akuru Collective has been at the forefront, weaving a rich tapestry of creativity and innovation. As we reflect on the recent months, filled with literary pursuits and typographic explorations, it's time to unravel the essence of our endeavors.

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• Celebrating Literary Month with Akuru

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• The month of literary festivities began with Akuru's enthusiastic participation in literary celebrations. At the heart of these events was a collective passion for language, literature, and the intricate art of typography. The blog titled "Akuru Celebrating Literary Month" encapsulates the essence of our engagement, where we explored the depths of language and showcased the transformative power of typography. From movie nights to font launches, each event was a testament to the cultural richness embedded in the written word.

• Exploring Thaana: A 26-Day Journey

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• Diving into the unique script of Thaana, Akuru embarked on a collaborative venture with the Maldivian type community in "26 Days of Thaana." This journey unfolded with designers, illustrators, and graphic artists expressing their creativity through the Thaana script, the writing system of the Dhivehi language. The article "Exploring Thaana: A 26-Day Journey" captures the spirit of this international collaboration, highlighting the global unity within the type community, especially during challenging times.

• 30 Days of Akuru: Font Design Unleashed

• Shifting our focus to font design, Akuru unleashed the second edition of "30 Days of Akuru." This innovative challenge invited graphic designers and type enthusiasts to indulge in the fascinating process of creating their fonts. The blog titled "We Wrapped up 30 Days of Akuru 2020" provides an insightful journey into the world of font design, emphasizing the importance of unleashing creative potentials and breaking barriers.

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• A Recap of Literary and Typographic Excellence

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• As we bring our literary and typographic celebrations into focus, the blog titled "Unveiling Creative Alphabets" serves as a comprehensive recap of the diverse and enriching experiences we've shared. From literary discussions to international collaborations and font design challenges, Akuru has been at the forefront of igniting passion for language and typography.

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• In the spirit of these celebrations, Akuru Collective extends heartfelt gratitude to all participants, collaborators, and enthusiasts who have been part of our journey. We look forward to the future with anticipation, eager to continue unveiling creative alphabets and pushing the boundaries of linguistic and typographic excellence. Stay tuned for more captivating endeavors from Akuru Collective, where every letter tells a story and every font is a masterpiece in the making.

• In the realm of typography and cultural exchange, Akuru Collective has once again demonstrated its commitment to fostering creativity and collaboration. In recent months, we've been on a journey of global proportions, unraveling the intricate threads of language and expression. Let's dive into the success stories of "26 Days of Thaana" and the triumph of "30 Days of Akuru 2020."

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• Diverse Voices in Thaana Script: A 26-Day Celebration

• "26 Days of Thaana" marked a significant collaboration between Akuru Collective and the vibrant type community of the Maldives. Thaana, the script of the Dhivehi language, served as our canvas for a global exploration of creativity. Designers, illustrators, and graphic artists from around the world came together to celebrate and express their unique interpretations of Thaana characters.

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• The blog titled "Exploring Thaana: A 26-Day Journey" encapsulates the essence of this international collaboration. It's a testament to the power of cultural exchange, where the universal language of typography transcends borders. Through this initiative, Akuru Collective aimed to empower expression and showcase the beauty of diversity in global type communities.

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• 30 Days of Akuru 2020: Crafting Fonts, Unleashing Creativity

• Following the global exploration of Thaana, Akuru turned its focus to the intricate art of font design in "30 Days of Akuru 2020." This font design challenge, now in its second edition, ignited the creative spark in graphic designers and type enthusiasts worldwide. The blog article "We Wrapped up 30 Days of Akuru 2020" captures the essence of this font design odyssey.

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• Participants delved into the fascinating journey of creating their fonts, turning their typographic visions into tangible expressions. The challenge welcomed both Sinhala and Tamil letters, fostering inclusivity and expanding the scope of creative exploration. The success of this challenge, with over 734 interpretations of thirty-one letters, is a testament to the global resonance of Akuru Collective's mission to empower and inspire through typography.

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• Empowering Expression Globally

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• The blog article "Empowering Expression: The Global Tapestry of 26 Days of Thaana and the Success of 30 Days of Akuru 2020" brings these two remarkable initiatives together under one narrative. It's a celebration of diverse voices, cultural exchange, and the boundless potential within the realm of typography.

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• Akuru Collective extends its gratitude to every participant, collaborator, and enthusiast who has contributed to these global endeavors. As we look towards the future, our commitment to empowering expression through language and typography remains unwavering. Stay tuned for more adventures in the world of Akuru, where every stroke of a letter is a brushstroke on the canvas of global creativity.

• Realizing the dream of creating a personalized font is a well-kept desire for many graphic designers. However, the perceived complexity of the task often holds individuals back. That's precisely why we introduced the second edition of #30DaysofAkuru, encouraging everyone to delve into the realm of fonts and typography within a supportive community. It offers a unique opportunity for individuals to uncover the enjoyable aspects of font design.

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• The second edition of #30DaysofAkuru unfolded successfully throughout March 2020, drawing participation from numerous talented type enthusiasts, graphic designers, and illustrators. In contrast to the first edition, the #30daysofakuru 2020 calendar featured both Sinhala and Tamil letters. Characters like “ශ්‍රී” (Sri) and “෴” (Kundaliya – Sinhala full-stop) garnered significant attention from our participants. We also introduced the letters “කො” and “கொ” (‘Ko’) to promote awareness about Covid-19 prevention through #30daysofakuru. By the end of the challenge, participants had crafted over 734 interpretations of thirty-one Sinhala and Tamil letters.

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• Hosted by Akuru Collective and organized by the Letters.Lanka team, #30DaysofAkuru aims to kindle interest in letterforms and showcase regional visual design talent. Your ideas have the potential to spawn diverse Sinhala font designs and raise awareness about the significance of typographic variations.

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• Akuru Collective and the Letters.Lanka team extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us on this month-long exploration of new dimensions in Sinhala and Tamil letterforms. Your creations pushed the creative boundaries of these scripts and served as a truly inspiring showcase. We eagerly anticipate the 3rd Edition of #30DaysofAkuru in 2021, expecting to witness more wonderful talents and welcome new members into our vibrant community.