Calligraphy exhibition: Religious text depicted in art

Quranic verses and Hadith rendered in various styles.

LAHORE:

A calligraphy exhibition by the Punjab Council of Arts opened at the Alhamra Art Gallery on Tuesday. It will continue till July 23.

Minister for Population Welfare Zakia Shahnawaz inaugurated the exhibition. “The calligraphy pieces are a treat to watch. The calligraphers have used colours beautifully in their pieces,” she said. The beautiful depiction of Quranic verses and Hadith brings one inner peace and satisfaction, she said.

The calligraphers had used various styles of writing in their pieces including Nastaliq, Lahori Nastaliq, Nasakh and Suls to present religious texts and sayings of various Sufis.

Punjab Council of Arts Fine Arts Deputy Director Naeem Ehsan said, “The exhibition showcases the talent of calligraphers from all over Pakistan.” As many as 80 calligraphers have contributed more than 120 pieces, he said.

“Works of renowned calligraphers, including late Abdul Wahid Nadirul Qalam, Aslam Kamal, Professor Arif Khan, Professor Irfan Khan and Munawarul Islam have been exhibited alongside to encourage young calligraphers,” said Ehsan.

Artist Quddus Mirza said, “Calligraphy is a traditional art. It has both sacred and secular elements and applications. Either aspect may be emphasised to enhance, and develop the art form in present times.”

Calligrapher Sajida Hanif told The Express Tribune that she had replicated a 150-year old calligraphy piece (Ayatul Kursi) by Muhammad Ali Al-Makkahwi in one of her works.

“I have also rendered a saying by Hazrat Ali that parents must educate their children. I have used three types of cloth and card in that piece,” she said.

Artist Ishaq Ahmad said, “I have painted a centuries-old paper Muraqqa. I used the Lahori Nastaliq style of writing.”

Noreen Sheikh, another calligrapher, said, “I have used tazheeb on the borders. It is the art of using small flowers and colours to decorate the Quran with gold leaf. I have used the Suls style of calligraphy for Quranic verses.”

Madiha Riaz, another calligrapher, said that she had used Nasakh to depict Surah-i-Ikhlas and used in gold leaf to embellish it.

Calligrapher Sadaqat Hussain Siddiqi has written the Durood in the Nastaliq style.

“My work depicts nature. I have titled it Harmonising with Nature because I see God in every object of the universe. I have shown that in my piece,” said Imran Sultan, a calligrapher.  

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2013.