Background
A Delhi-based visual artist wanted to merge fine art with classical Indian literature. Her vision was to publish a limited-edition illustrated version of Kalidasa’s “Abhijnanasakuntalam” (Shakuntala) that could appeal to collectors, museums, and cultural institutions. She sought an edition that embodied artistic excellence, cultural pride, and production quality matching international coffee-table standards.
She approached Write Right to bring this concept to life—from rights verification to design, printing, packaging, and distribution.
Challenge
The project demanded a balance between literary authenticity and aesthetic luxury. The artist wanted to use Sanskrit-English translation but wasn’t sure about the rights, print feasibility, and pricing.
The challenges included:
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Verifying the copyright status of the chosen English translation
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Managing high-end production with foil stamping, spot UV, and textured paper
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Designing layouts that respected both the poem’s rhythm and the artwork’s visual space
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Coordinating limited-edition packaging suitable for collectors
Write Right’s Approach
Write Right adopted a heritage publishing strategy—combining editorial diligence, art direction, and logistics management.
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Rights Verification and Legal Due Diligence
The team confirmed the translation’s public-domain eligibility and created a rights log documenting all attributions, preventing potential IP disputes. -
Editorial Refinement
The Sanskrit passages were retained with transliteration and English translation side-by-side. Write Right’s editors reviewed text flow to ensure poetic readability and academic authenticity. -
Design and Aesthetics
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The design team used ivory matte paper to enhance ink absorption for watercolor prints.
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Each illustration was paired with a scene from the play, framed by golden borders and minimalist typography.
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The binding featured a hardback lay-flat spine for longevity.
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Packaging and Production Quality
The “Deluxe Collector’s Edition” was produced in 500 numbered copies, each packaged with corner guards, desiccants, and custom slipcases. -
Marketing and Distribution
Write Right arranged pre-orders through D2C channels, followed by limited placements in museum gift stores and high-end cultural bookstores in Delhi and Mumbai.
Results
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The edition sold out completely during Diwali week, with collectors praising its craftsmanship and durability.
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It received national recognition from art and literature blogs for its “museum-grade finish.”
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The project positioned the artist as a heritage curator, opening doors for future exhibitions and collaborations with publishing houses abroad.
Outcome
This project demonstrated Write Right’s capability to handle premium, art-driven publishing projects with full lifecycle support—from rights to retail.
The collaboration reaffirmed the company’s standing as India’s most reliable content and publishing partner for both academic and luxury literary editions. The success of “Shakuntala” underscored a new niche—cultural publishing that merges India’s literary legacy with contemporary artistic sensibilities.
