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Kallakurichi man behind Indian Rupee Symbol

D. Udaya Kumar: The Man Behind India's Currency Identity

In the pantheon of modern Indian design, few symbols have captured the nation's imagination quite like the Indian Rupee symbol. The man behind this iconic design is D. Udaya Kumar, hailing from the small town of Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu. His journey from a village boy to the creator of one of India's most recognizable symbols is a story of creativity, perseverance, and national pride.


### Early Life and Education


Born in 1978 in Kallakurichi, D. Udaya Kumar moved to Chennai with his family when he was five years old[17]. His early education took place in Chennai, where his innate talent for art was recognized and nurtured. He pursued his passion for design and architecture at Anna University's School of Architecture and Planning, graduating in 2001[6][9]. His academic journey didn't stop there; he went on to obtain a Master's degree in Design (Visual Communication) and later a Ph.D. in Design from the Industrial Design Centre (IDC) at IIT Bombay[4][9].


### The Design of the Indian Rupee Symbol


The story of the Indian Rupee symbol began in 2009 when the Indian government announced a contest to create a sign for the Indian rupee. The competition aimed to find a symbol that would represent the economic strength and cultural ethos of India. Out of over 3,000 entries, it was Udaya Kumar's design that was selected, a design that would soon become a symbol of India's growing economic stature on the global stage[1][2][11].


Udaya Kumar's design ingeniously combined the Devanagari letter "र" (Ra) and the Roman capital "R" without its vertical bar, along with two parallel horizontal lines at the top that symbolize the Indian flag and also represent an equality sign[1][11]. This design was not only distinctive and recognizable but also reflected India's aspiration to reduce economic disparity. On July 15, 2010, the Government of India officially adopted the symbol, and Udaya Kumar's creation became the new identity for the Indian rupee[1][11].


### Professional Achievements and Contributions


Following his historic win, Udaya Kumar joined the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Design[4][7]. His areas of interest include visual communication design, architecture, and design research, with a special focus on Tamil typography[4]. He has also designed a Tamil font named "Parashakti" and has worked on creating new Tamil terminology for typographic terms[9].


Udaya Kumar's work extends beyond the academic realm. He has designed logos for various institutes and organizations, including IIT Hyderabad and the National Testing Agency[7]. His commitment to design education and research has earned him several awards and accolades, including the Young Indian Leader award by CNN-IBN and the Young Alum Achiever Award by IIT Bombay[13].


### Personal Philosophy and Interests


D. Udaya Kumar is a man of principles, believing in righteousness, equality, love, trust, cleanliness, and discipline[4]. He is also a sports enthusiast and a nature lover, which reflects in his work and life philosophy. His design for the rupee symbol is a testament to his belief in simplicity and meaningfulness.


### Legacy and Impact


The creation of the Indian Rupee symbol by D. Udaya Kumar has had a profound impact on India's national identity. It has provided the country with a symbol that stands on par with other global currencies like the dollar, euro, and yen. More importantly, it has given the Indian economy a visual representation that embodies the nation's heritage and aspirations.


### Conclusion


D. Udaya Kumar's journey from Kallakurichi to the national stage is an inspiring tale of talent and vision. His contribution to India's identity through the design of the rupee symbol is a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. As India continues to assert itself as a major player in the global economy, the symbol serves as a constant reminder of the creativity and spirit of its people, as epitomized by designers like Udaya Kumar.


Citations:

[1] National Identity Elements - Currency Symbol - Know India https://knowindia.india.gov.in/national-identity-elements/currency-symbol.php

[4] D Udaya Kumar - IDC, IIT Bombay http://www.idc.iitb.ac.in/students/phd/udayakumar/

[5] Indian rupee - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_rupee

[11] Indian rupee sign - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_rupee_sign

[12] Rupee Symbol (₹) - RupeeSymbol.net https://rupeesymbol.net

[13] D Udaya Kumar - Shiv Nadar University https://snu.edu.in/faculty/d-udaya-kumar/

[14] Experts explain the early signs of depression and the importance of ... https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/world-health-day-depression-970057-2017-04-07

[16] Rupee Symbol Winner Is… - DesignFlute - https://design-flute.com/2010/07/15/rupee-symbol-winner-is/

[18] Best ENT Doctors in Mudichur, Chennai - Book Appointment Online https://www.justdial.com/Chennai/ENT-Doctors-in-Mudichur/nct-10189442


[19] Editorial board - Composites Part B: Engineering - ScienceDirect.com https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/composites-part-b-engineering/about/editorial-board

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