Calligrapher on sacred mission

Octogenarian artiste aims at completing Holy Quran’s translation in calligraphy

CHICHAWATNI: An 87-year-old artist has created a rare masterpiece by completing the calligraphy of the Holy Quran in a short period.

While completing the labour of love, he adorned the canvas with beautiful Islamic calligraphy and paintings using attractive colours. Thus he has brought an honour not only for himself but also his hometown, Chichawatni.

Reportedly, 87-year-old artist Muhammad Younus Ansari, a resident of Mohammadabad, has depicted the entire Holy Quran in an artistic way.

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While it is an expression of Ansari’s immense love for the Holy Quran, art experts have also praised his work, calling it the best masterpiece of art created by the combination of Islamic calligraphy and painting.

Artists spend their whole lives to achieve perfection but cannot grasp that milestone. But with his dedication the veteran artist has completed the masterpiece weighing about 100 kilogrammes in just three and a half years.

The masterpiece, which was completed a few years ago, was placed in the Central Library of Bahawalpur by the corps commander.

As a token of appreciation, the artist was sent to visit the Harmain Shareefain to perform Umrah. In his spare time, he often used to practice his art on the floor.

In the early 1960s, Ansari became a regular student of well-known calligrapher and artist Ustad Ahmad Bakhsh who played a central role in honing his artistic talents.

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Ansari has also set up a ‘Quran Art Gallery’ in 1.25-marla portion of his house.

The next mission of the artist is to write the Holy Quran with Urdu translation. He has started putting the translation on canvas.

So far, he has competed calligraphy of eight of the 30 parts of Holy Quran. He wants to complete 15 paras in the holy month of Ramazan.

“If the government of Pakistan provides resources, I can complete this mission very soon and make the country proud all over the world,” the artist said.

He prays to God to grant him the opportunity of completing the mission this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 16^th, 2020.