Calligraphy contest: Spurred by competition, students get creative

Winners given cash prizes, drama competition next.

ISLAMABAD:

Competition is perhaps the best way to encourage students to excel in what they do best. To this end, a divisional calligraphic competition was organised by the Rawalpindi Arts Council  in connection with Punjab Youth Festival on Tuesday. 

Some 25 students from Rawalpindi division participating in the competition were handed paper and a reed pen and given an hour to complete Surah Iqra in Khat-i-Sulf. The participants’ friends could be seen cheering them on from the sidelines.

Once the hour was up, the organisers put up the sheets on display for the judges, calligraphers Khawaja Muhammad Hussain and Azeem Iqbal.

According to the judges’ decision, Rehmat Ali from Gujar Khan secured first position, while Jamshed Iqbal from National College of the Arts came second and Waqas Iqbal from Government Post Graduate College for Boys came third.

The winners were awarded cash prizes of Rs3,000, Rs2,000 and Rs1,500 respectively. Rehmat Ali’s calligraphy did indeed seem the best possible choice as his fine lines and effortless strokes stood apart from his competitiors. “This is my passion,” said a smiling Rehmat as he collected his prize. Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said the winners would get the chance to compete at the provincial level.

“For me calligraphy is the best form of art. After seeing everyone’s work I realise I may not be as good as the rest but there’s no doubt in my mind that this is what I want to pursue,” said Ali, a contestant.

The calligraphic works will remain on display at the arts council till September 24.

In the second category of Punjab Youth Festival, a drama competition among colleges and universities will be held from September 25.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2012.