ISLAMABAD: An exhibition of traditional calligraphy opened here at Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, on Tuesday.
Organised by National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa, the exhibition featured 25 entries from contestants, including students from various colleges and universities.
All the entries received in response to an advertisement have been displayed in the exhibition at Lok Virsa alongside masterpieces of renowned Pakistani calligraphists.
“This has been done with a view to encourage upcoming artists so that they not only feel pride in practicing their art but also create new innovative techniques by learning from their seniors,” said Lok
Virsa’s Executive Director Khalid Javaid.
All the major cash prizes were won by female students, most of whom belonged to Fatima Jinnah Women University in Rawalpindi. The students also received certificates from Lok Virsa as an appreciation for participating in the exhibition. The Minister for Culture Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani gave away the prizes and certificates.
A jury comprising of top calligraphists Rasheed Butt, Aftab Ahmad Khan and Elahi Bukhsh Matee judged the work of the calligraphists. The jury selected six contestants out of 25 for cash prizes ranging from Rs3,000 to Rs12,000. Three Lok Virsa cash prizes of Rs12,000, Rs10,000 and Rs8,000 respectively were awarded to Rafia Ahmad Usmani, Afrah Fiaz and Sidra Qaiser. Rehmat Ali, Faiza Faiz and Amna Irshad were given honourable mention prizes of Rs3,000 each.
Lok Virsa’s ED Khalid Javaid informed the participants that in order to ensure nation-wide participation and provide equal opportunity to all amateur young artists at the national level, Lok Virsa published an open press advertisement inviting entries from interested young artists. The response, he said, was very encouraging.
Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, the minister for culture, who was the chief guest, said, “Pakistan has a deep and historic background of beautiful calligraphic traditions which needs to be projected.” Appreciating the efforts of Lok Virsa, the minister said, “The institute has taken the right step by holding this competition-cum-exhibition for budding artists and providing them a chance to display their skills alongwith the masterpieces of noted calligraphists.”
The Norwegian ambassador Robert Kvile also attended the ceremony. The eminent calligraphists whose masterpieces are on display in the exhibition include Rasheed Butt, Aftab Ahmad Khan, Elahi Buksh Matee, Imran Tahir, Muhammad Azeem Iqbal, Khawaja Muhammad Hussain, Abdul Rehman Tabani and Aftab Ahmad Changezi.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2010.
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