Writing says it all

Graphologist Samitha Pandya has been counseling thousands of people to overcome depression over the last decade. After assessing their personality through their handwriting, she helps them identify their inner self by training them in handwriting, graphology, calligraphy cursive writing and also does signature analysis. Recently, she became the first Indian to be awarded an honorary membership at The American Association of Handwriting Analysts (AHAA).

“I am thrilled with the honour. Being the first Indian makes it even more special,” she says, adding, “I am pleased that my work has been rewarded, as it gives me an opportunity to work further on graphology.”

Describing how she picked up the career, she says, “I was a depressed woman, and attempted suicide twice after marriage, because my parents-in-law didn’t allow me to work and I felt lonely. I eventually went into a shell. I went into depression although my husband supported me. I eventually realised that I am worth more. One of my teachers then suggested that I pursue graphology.”

The road ahead for the 30-year-old was difficult though. “I travelled a lot to counsel people, so had to stay away from my kids, and it was tough. I couldn’t give them time and missed them a lot. When teachers criticised their performance, I quit my profession and became a homemaker.”

However, she resolved to excel within the circumstances. “I was fighting to come out of the situation and work while managing kids. Eventually, it was my grit, coupled with my husband’s support that enabled me to continue,” reveals Samitha, who is also a clinical psychologist.

Samitha states that graphology is a science that helps understand a person’s nature. “We can identify the complete personality of a person by merely looking at their signature. There are around 100 characteristics by which we analyse a person’s nature whether they are honest, lazy, smart etc., and change it with a few strokes in the handwriting,” she explains.

At a time when everyone is going paperless, isn’t it challenging to make people write extensively? “Graphology is yet to catch up in India. I have approached several government departments, and bureaucrats to introduce the practice of cursive writing, but they pay no heed,” she rues.