Karnata GTN — From Handwriting to a Variable Typeface
Karnata GTN — From Handwriting to a Variable Typeface
This project started quite simply. I was given access to handwritten material of G. T. Narayan Rao, and I began by just observing it — the way strokes moved, how letters were formed, and the rhythm behind the writing. It wasn’t about copying the handwriting directly, but understanding what makes it feel alive. That curiosity slowly turned into an idea: can this be translated into a usable typeface?
As I started drawing, I realized handwriting doesn’t directly become typography. It had to be reconstructed. I worked letter by letter, building both Kannada and Latin, trying to find a balance between expression and structure. Somewhere in between the natural flow of handwriting and the discipline of formal type, Karnata GTN began to take shape. The goal was simple — make it readable, usable, but still retain that human quality.
One important decision early on was to develop it as a variable font. Instead of creating separate weights, I built the system using strokes first, then expanded it into a full weight axis from 400 to 900. This allowed me to think less in terms of “styles” and more in terms of a continuous system. Alongside this, I worked on OpenType features to ensure proper Kannada shaping, so that it works reliably across real-world usage.
The typeface was released at the centenary event of G. T. Narayan Rao, which made the project feel complete in a meaningful way. It connected the original source — the handwriting — back to a contemporary digital form. At the same time, it also contributes to a growing space of variable typography in Kannada, which is still evolving.
This work wouldn’t have been possible without the support and involvement of many people. Thanks to Om, Prem, Vishnavi, and the organisations involved through Sanchaya for their guidance and contributions.
You can explore and download the font here:
https://fonts.sanchaya.net/family/KarnataGTN
Source files and development details:
https://github.com/sanchaya/karnata-gtn-typeface