Who designed Rupee sign? How was Rupee sign designed. History and biography of Uday Kumar Dharmalingam.

Uday Kumar Dharmalingam

                                                   -Indian Currency sign designer

The rupee sign is the official currency symbol of India, and it is used to represent the Indian rupee in financial transactions, as well as in everyday life. The rupee sign is a relatively recent addition to Indian currency, having been introduced in 2010. In this article, we will explore the history of the rupee sign and the designer responsible for its creation.

The history of the Indian rupee can be traced back to the 6th century BCE, when silver coins called rupyarupa were in use. Over the centuries, the Indian rupee has undergone numerous changes, both in terms of its design and the materials used to make it. In the 21st century, the Indian government decided to create a new symbol for the rupee, to bring it in line with other major currencies such as the US dollar, the euro, and the pound sterling.

The process of designing the rupee sign began in 2009, when the Indian government announced a competition to design a new symbol for the rupee. The competition was open to the public, and designers from all over India submitted their entries. The competition received an overwhelming response, with over 3,000 entries being submitted.

The winning design was created by a Mumbai-based graphic designer named Udaya Kumar. Kumar's design was chosen from among the thousands of entries, and it was officially adopted as the new rupee symbol in 2010. The design features the Devanagari letter "र" (ra) and the Roman letter "R" combined with two horizontal lines. The design is simple yet elegant, and it has quickly become an iconic symbol of Indian currency.

Udaya Kumar was born in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, in 1978. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the School of Architecture and Planning at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai. He then went on to earn a Master's degree in Design from the Industrial Design Centre at IIT Bombay.

After completing his studies, Kumar worked as a graphic designer for several years, gaining experience in a variety of design projects. He then became a faculty member at IIT Guwahati, where he taught courses in design and typography. He later moved to IIT Bombay, where he currently teaches courses in typography and visual communication design.

Kumar's experience in design and typography played a key role in his creation of the rupee sign. He wanted the symbol to be simple and easy to remember, while also incorporating elements of Indian culture and tradition. He drew inspiration from the Indian flag, which features two horizontal lines in the center. He also wanted to incorporate the Devanagari script, which is used to write several Indian languages, including Hindi and Marathi.

Kumar's design was not without its critics. Some people felt that the design was too similar to other currency symbols, such as the yen and the euro. Others felt that the design was too complex and difficult to write. However, Kumar defended his design, arguing that it was simple and easy to remember, and that it incorporated important elements of Indian culture and tradition.

Since its introduction in 2010, the rupee sign has become a widely recognized symbol of Indian currency. It has been used in financial transactions, on banknotes and coins, and in everyday life. The symbol has also been adopted by a number of Indian companies, who use it to represent their brand and their connection to India.

In conclusion, the creation of the rupee sign was a significant event in the history of Indian currency. The symbol represents a modernization of the Indian rupee, bringing it in line with other major currencies of the world. Udaya Kumar's design has become an iconic symbol of Indian currency, and it reflects his expertise