pinnakulum

Pinnakulum is a Sanskrit word that originates from the ancient Indian writing system. In this context, it refers to the practice of inscribing text on both sides of a manuscript or scroll, specifically in a format that runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the writing surface.

This method of writing is distinct from contemporary Western calls such as those found in European books, which typically follow a horizontal layout. Pinnakulum is commonly seen in ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts from regions such as India and Southeast Asia.-documents written in languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Pāli, were executed using the pinnakulum technique.

The writing surface in pinnakulum manuscripts is often a scroll made from materials like palm leaf, birch bark, or vellum. This material allows the text to travel up one side of the surface and then come back down the other side, continuing parallel to the first line. The method involves writing in interlocking lines that proceed in both directions simultaneously.

Middle column copying, often necessary for practical purposes, can disrupt continuity in a pinnakulum document, potentially exposing vacant areas or low-quality scripts. Throughout history, scribes using the Pinnakulum layout aimed to achieve aesthetic emphasis through specific visual elements including margin allocations, spacing calculations, and implied or visible bookmarks.