Ranjana Lipi, the amazing and artistic script of Nepal has been spread in China, Korea, Japan and some other countries, used in scriptures, walls and artefacts. Importantly, this was instrumental as script of Nepal to get membership of United Nations.
Nepal, well known for its diverse landscapes, inhabiting numerous natural, cultural and historical beauties. Reports say that there are 125 ethnic groups in Nepal and these have developed their own religion, language, literature and music.
Although Nepal’s official language is Nepali, written in the Devanagari script, the country has multiple cultural, language and scripts as well as there are different ethnic groups, such as Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tamang, and Nepal Bhasa (Newari). Some ethnic groups have their own scripts used by lesser or larger population. Nepal’s cultural diversity and its traditional constituents are formulated by values, ethnic assimilation, and social and tribal community.
The Newars, indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and spread to all parts of the country and many places of the world have been restoring the heritage of the country. One of them is scripts they use in the cultural and historical documents and artefacts. The Newars commonly speak Nepal Bhasa which is written in Nepal Lipi but in the modern days Devanagari scrip is most commonly used script. However, the Newars have nine different scripts – Nepal Lipi (Prachalit Lipi), Bhujinmwal Lipi, Litumwal Lipi, Pachumwal Lipi, Hinmwal Lipi, Kunmwa Lipi, Kweynmwa Lipi, Golmwa lLipi and Ranjana Lipi.
Being artistic and distinctive script, Ranjana Lipi is one of those widely visible scripts among all. It is commonly used to write the Buddhist Mantra “Om mane padme hum” in Buddhist Prayer Wheel. Besides, it has been used on stone and copper plate inscriptions, coins, palm-leaf documents, and Hindu and Buddhist manuscripts. Ranjana script has not only been used in Nepal but also in Tibet, where it is known as Lanydza. Tibetans typically decorate temple walls, prayer wheels, and Mandalas with this script and use it on the title pages of Tibetan texts.
Ranjana Lipi is engraved in a part of China’s Great Wall, the White Stupa constructed by Arniko in 13th century, a war helmet of a warrior king of China are the examples. It is also used in Buddhist monasteries in China, especially in the Tibetan Buddhist areas within the Tibet Autonomous Region, Yunnan, Qinghai and Gansu, Mongolia, and Japan It is normally written from left to right but the Kutakshar form is written from top to bottom It is also considered to be the standard Nepali calligraphic script.
Ranjana Lipi is an ancient script dating back to the 11th century and is used by the Newar people to write Sanskrit and Nepal Bhasa.
The historical significance of Ranjana Lipi is not limited regionally only to Nepal. “Talking about the historical importance of Ranjana Lipi, it can be stressed back to many Asian countries, such as Tibet, China, and Japan. It has travelled the world with prayer wheels.”
Brahmi was used, for example, in Asoka’s inscription in Lumbini inscribed on the sandstone pillar inscription in the 20th year of his coronation, Ranjana had spread to Tibet, China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia side by side with Mahayana Buddhism as a sacred script, often used in scriptures and monograms. Bhujimmwala, on the other hand, had been in use in the Nepal valley and its environs from about 11th century to the 17th century A.D.”
The experts emphasize the importance of Ranjana Lipi as a valuable cultural heritage: “Most of our historical and religious books are written in Ranjana Lipi. This kind of heritage and obtain knowledge from the books, its preservation is required”.
Ranjana is a Bramhic script which developed around 1100 CE. It was used in Nepal and is still used in Nepal by the Newar people to write the Nepal Bhasa. The script is also used in most of the Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. Along with the Parchalit Nepal Lipi, it is considered one of the scripts of Nepal. It is the formal script of Nepal duly registered in the United Nation while applying for the free Nation.] The Acmasâhasrikâ Prajñâpâramitâ Sûtra lettered in gold ink by Bhiksu Ananda of Kapitanagar and dating back to the Nepal Sambat year 345 (1215 CE) is an early example of the script.
As a valuable part of Nepal’s rich cultural heritage, Ranjana Lipi has united the nation’s identity, tying together different generations and groups of people. Like many other ancient scripts, Ranjana Lipi has also faced difficulties and was in danger of disappearing.
Throughout history, Nepal Bhasa and its script have faced many threats. Nepal Lipi has struggled a lot to maintain its existence in the history of Nepal. With the aim of preservation of Ranjana Lipi, Nepal Lipi Guthi came into existence. The institution, founded in 1980, has remarkably helped in spreading awareness about the importance of Nepal Bhasa. Although organisations have succeeded in increasing the visibility of Ranjana Lipi among the people in recent decades, there is still much to be done. Today, young adults are primarily aware of Ranjana Lipi, but few understand it or know how to write it. However, the current situation among youngsters seems even more worrying, as many have not even heard of it. Younger generations need more opportunities and enticements to study the endangered Ranjana Lipi.
After falling into disuse in the mid-20th century, the script has recently seen an increased use. It is used by many local governments such as those of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Thimi Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality, Banepa Municipality, in signboards, letter pads, and such. Regular programs are held in the Kathmandu Valley to promote the script and training classes are held to preserve the language.
