FM Sinhala Fonts: Preserving the Legacy of Sinhala Typography
The evolution of Sinhala typography has been marked by significant milestones, and among them, the FM series of fonts holds a special place. Developed during a time when digital representation of Sinhala script was still in its infancy, FM fonts bridged the gap between traditional Sinhala writing and modern digital needs.
The Origins of FM Fonts
In the 1990s, as Sri Lanka embraced the digital age, there was a pressing need for Sinhala fonts that could be used in computing environments. Pushpananda Ekanayake, a pioneer in Sinhala typography, responded to this need by designing the FM series of fonts. Among these, FM Abhaya became particularly popular, drawing inspiration from traditional Sinhala letterforms and adapting them for digital use.
Significance of FM Fonts
FM fonts played a crucial role in standardizing Sinhala text in digital formats. They were widely adopted in various applications, from word processing to desktop publishing, due to their readability and aesthetic appeal. The design of FM fonts respects the nuances of Sinhala script, ensuring that the cultural essence of the language is maintained even in digital representations.
Transition to Unicode and the Legacy of FM Fonts
With the advent of Unicode, which aimed to provide a universal character set for all languages, many legacy fonts faced obsolescence. However, the FM fonts, especially FM Abhaya, were so integral to Sinhala digital typography that efforts were made to adapt them to the Unicode standard. This led to the creation of Abhaya Libre, a Unicode-compliant version of FM Abhaya, ensuring that the legacy of FM fonts continues in the modern digital era.
Explore FM Fonts on SinhalaFonts.net
At SinhalaFonts.net, we are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich typographic heritage of the Sinhala language. Our collection includes several FM fonts, allowing designers, publishers, and enthusiasts to access and utilize these classic typefaces.
Disclaimer
The fonts provided on SinhalaFonts.net are intended for personal and educational use only. All rights to the fonts remain with their respective creators. Users are responsible for ensuring they have the appropriate licenses for any commercial use. SinhalaFonts.net does not claim ownership of these fonts and is not liable for any misuse.