Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi
Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi
Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi [1]is the founder and CEO of Axis Softmedia Inc. He is an accomplished entrepreneur and software developer with a deep understanding of the Urdu publishing industry. Zaidi’s expertise lies in the development of software solutions that cater to the unique challenges of complex language typesetting. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Zaidi’s pursued his passion for technology from a young age. He studied computer science at a prestigious university and honed his skills in software development through various professional experiences. Zaidi’s entrepreneurial journey began when he identified the need for a typesetting tool that could handle complex languages efficiently. Axis Softmedia Inc. is a software development company based in Mumbai, India. It was founded in 2005 by Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi. The company is best known for its flagship product, the Manzar Typesetting Tool, which has gained significant recognition and popularity in the publishing industry.
History
Axis Softmedia Inc was established in 2005 by Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi, a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for software development. Manzar recognized the need for a robust typesetting tool that could simplify and streamline the publishing process, particularly for complex languages like Arabic and Urdu.[2] Under Zaidi’s leadership, the company assembled a talented team of developers and designers who shared his vision. They worked tirelessly to develop a ground breaking typesetting tool that would revolutionize the publishing industry. After years of research and development, the team successfully launched the Manzar Typesetting Tool for Adobe InDesign in 2017.
Product
Manzar Typesetting Tool [3]is a sophisticated Plugin for Adobe InDesign designed to facilitate typesetting and layout creation for a wide range of publications. It offers advanced features specifically tailored to handle complex scripts and languages, including Arabic, Urdu, and other right-to-left languages. The tool provides a user-friendly interface that allows publishers, editors, and designers to efficiently create and edit complex documents. It offers a comprehensive set of tools for text formatting, paragraph styling, font management, and image placement. The Manzar Typesetting Tool also supports advanced features such as multi-column layouts, footnotes, table creation, and index generation. One of the key strengths of the Manzar Typesetting Tool is its compatibility with various publishing formats, including print, digital, and web. It seamlessly integrates with popular publishing software and allows for easy exporting of files in different formats, ensuring maximum flexibility for publishers.
Notable Achievements
The Manzar Typesetting Tool has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim in the publishing industry. Its advanced capabilities and user-friendly interface have earned it numerous accolades and awards. Publishers and designers around the world have praised the tool for its ability to handle complex scripts with ease and efficiency. The tool has been particularly impactful in regions where complex languages are prevalent, such as the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa. It has significantly reduced the time and effort required for typesetting and layout creation in these regions, enabling publishers to produce high-quality publications more efficiently.[4]
Awards and Recognition
Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi:
1. Excellence in Urdu Computing
◦ Issued by: Pasbaan-e-Fun, Malegaon, Dist. Nashik, Maharashtra
◦ Date: May 2009
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Awarded for achievements and excellence in Urdu computing, specifically for contributions in Urdu printing technology
and the development of Urdu Fonts.
2. Contribution in Urdu
◦ Issued by: Urdu Academy Delhi
◦ Date: March 2007
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Awarded to InPage Urdu for contributions to the Urdu language.
3. Mohammad Ali Johar Urdu Computing Award
◦ Issued by: Abu Huraira Model School Society, Firozabad, UP, India
◦ Date: March 2012
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Honored for work on digital Urdu calligraphy, specifically awarded the Moulana Mohammad Ali Johar Urdu Computing
Award.
4. Digital Calligraphy Award
◦ Issued by: Unique Educational Society
◦ Date: April 2012
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Conferred for contributions to digitize Urdu script, particularly in the field of digital calligraphy.
5. Promotion and Digitization of Urdu Language
◦ Issued by: Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Academy
◦ Date: July 2012
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Awarded for the promotion and digitization of the Urdu language.
6. Momento of Appreciation
◦ Issued by: www.bhindibazaar.asia
◦ Date: September 2013
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Conferred by BhindiBazaar.asia for dedication, commitment, and devotion to the Urdu language.
7. NABA Award
◦ Issued by: NABA Quran Academy
◦ Date: August 2015
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Honored for work on digital Quranic calligraphy.
8. Outstanding Innovation Award 2015
◦ Issued by: Maeeshat Media
◦ Date: January 2016
◦ Associated with: Axis SoftMedia Pvt. Ltd.
◦ Details: Awarded for outstanding innovation, specifically for work on Ali Nastaliq.
Mission
The mission of Syed Manzar Hasan Zaidi and Axis Softmedia Inc., is to revolutionize the publishing industry by providing innovative and efficient typesetting solutions that cater to the unique challenges of complex languages. Zaidi's vision is to simplify the process of typesetting and layout creation, enabling publishers to produce high-quality publications with ease and efficiency. By developing cutting-edge software tools like the Manzar Typesetting Tool, Zaidi aims to empower publishers, editors, and designers worldwide, making complex language typesetting accessible and streamlined.[5]
Vision
Zaidi's vision for Axis Softmedia Inc., is to become the global leader in typesetting solutions, particularly for languages with complex scripts. He envisions a future where publishers no longer face barriers or limitations when working with complex languages like Arabic, Urdu, and other right-to-left scripts. Zaidi aims to provide tools that seamlessly integrate with existing publishing workflows, offering intuitive interfaces and advanced features that simplify the typesetting process. His vision is to create a world where publishers can effortlessly produce beautifully designed publications in any language, contributing to cultural diversity and global communication. Zaidi's commitment to innovation and continuous improvement drives the company's vision forward. He emphasizes the importance of staying at the forefront of technological advancements and understanding the evolving needs of the publishing industry. Zaidi envisions Axis Softmedia Inc., as a hub of creativity and expertise, constantly pushing boundaries and setting new standards for typesetting solutions. Through strategic partnerships and collaborations, he aims to expand the company's reach and influence, making their tools accessible to publishers and designers worldwide.
Published Work
InPage ﺞﯿﭘ نِ
Syed Manzar worked on Urdu fonts since 1993. By the end of 1994 forty (40) ASCII based Truetype Urdu fonts were developed which was launched with InPage1.0 in 1994. This has virtuallycatapulted Urdu into the league of other Indo-Aryan languages.
Urdu Unicode ASCII System for broadcasters
Many Urdu News Channels employed this technology to bring about quality improvement in newspresentation. Unlike news channels in other languages, Urdu channels suffered from (Urdu) fonthandicap. ETV – Urdu, Hyderabad desperate to resolve the stalemate got in touch with SyedManzar. He, along with ETV’s technical team worked out a solution that has brought Urdu on a par with other major languages. This enabled ETV to run its tickers, headlines, graphics andteleprompting exclusively in Urdu language. Later, Doordarshan, Sahara TV, Munsif TV and scores of other news broadcasters too used the expertise to do away with similar hiccup. A plethora of international news channels too employed this to beautify their presentations.
Sunsilk Cosmetics
The cosmetic company that develops a battery of skin care and hair products was launching itsworldwide campaign to boost the popularity of its product – Sunsilk shampoo in 2010. Theadvertisement used dotted fonts in every major global language. Manzar was roped in to developsimilar fonts in Urdu and Bengali languages which he did quite effectively.
Faiz Lahori Nastaliq ﻖﯿﻠﻌﺘﺘﺴﻧ یرﻮﮨﻻ ﺾ
The Urdu publishing and computing world has long been looking for a new font. A font that is notonly aesthetically fine but also technically supportive by developing Faiz Lahori Nastaliq. In 2006the team of experts headed by Syed Manzar developed a most flexible font called Faiz Nastaliqwith Kashish which is considered as a panacea for Urdu publishing world.Faiz Nastaliq 1.0 is specially created for those who are fond of Lahori Nastaliq. It not only enrichesInPage Version 3 but also makes it the most comprehensive Urdu typesetting and designing tool inpublishing industry. Faiz Nastaliq gives the designers and publishers the most indispensablehigh-quality typesetting for literary academic production. It provides ligatures to shape writing of different genre, poetry, prose, blank verse, etc. It is a delight of designers. It will help them enhancethe designs of the magazines, hoardings, posters, advertisement and newspapers. Corporate userswill be pleased to discover Faiz Nastaliq effective protection of their investment in proprietarytypography.What is Faiz Nastaliq? : Faiz Nastaliq is a dream comes true. The type face is designed on therules & scales of Lahori Nastaliq script set by Late Faiz Katib (1912–1986). Faiz Nastaliq is aninnovative set of Fonts for InPage Version 3 that has been specifically developed for Urdupublishing world. It integrates traditional calligraphy with modern typefaces, giving designers thefreedom they need to remain creative in today's world. By adding Faiz Nastaliq, InPage Version 3truly becomes the most comprehensive Urdu typesetting and designing tool in the industry.Why Faiz Nastaliq? : Urdu typography has been a great challenge for the printing and publishingindustry. Because it is composed of complex and shifting letters, typesetting technology based onletter analysis could not render the richness of the script. It is for this reason that Syed Manzar, hasdeveloped Faiz Nastaliq by analysing individual penstrokes and creating a clear and limited set of rules. Faiz Nastaliq is a true breakthrough in Urdu typography as it allows InPage Version 3 usersto fully express the enormous variability of Urdu letters. Faiz Nastaliq returns to the sources of theUrdu script traditions, providing today's generation of high-tech designers with greater freedom andoffering them a real Urdu-friendly design environment. The ingenious interface and set of Urdu-related features are ideal to create richer, more complex Urdu typography. Faiz Nastaliq letyou work better and faster than ever.Why it is unique? : Urdu typography, so far, was devoid of 'Kashish'* feature of words & ligature.Faiz Nastaliq Kasheeda enriches the publishing world with this beautiful feature and blesses thedocuments & published data with true flavour of Urdu calligraphy. All the unique ligatures that areused in the font are without 'Nuqta' and 'Aeraab' unlike other Nastaliq fonts. It covers up to 10%less space* than available Nastaliq fonts and looks extremely attractive in 'Kashish' with kerning*.
External links
• Linkedin -https://www.linkedin.com/in/syedmanzar • Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/ManzarTypesettingTool
Refrences
- ↑ [1]https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/others/sunday-read/hope-for-nawayathi/articleshow/67402293.cms
- ↑ [2]https://www.bbc.com/urdu/india/2009/03/090327_quran_computer_uk
- ↑ [3]https://maeeshat.in/syed-manzar-the-man-behind-digital-revival-of-urdu/
- ↑ [4]https://ummid.com/news/2016/January/30.01.2016/minorities-urged-to-take-benfits-of-start-up-india=action-plan.html
- ↑ [5]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5lNeIy7T5o