RAWALPINDI, Oct 29: A five-day calligraphic exhibition by artists from Faisalabad started at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Tuesday.

The group exhibition showcasing over 51 pieces of Quranic art and paintings by Gulzar Ahmed Butt, Mohammad Aslam Dogar and Mohammad Nauman Nawaz attracted a large number of art lovers.

Centuries old calligraphic traditions with latest trends have been employed by the calligraphers using oil colours and metal works.

The traditional rural scenes have also been depicted in the paintings.

Renowned calligraphers and painters from the Potohar region were also present on the occasion

Gulzar Ahmed Butt displayed 21 calligraphies comprising oil on canvas in different styles.

“I got basic knowledge of calligraphy from different artists but got inspiration of colour schemes from the work of Faisalabad-based renowned artist Rana Ilyas,” Gulzar Butt told Dawn.

He said he used scripts Kufi, Taluth, Nastaliq and Diwani in his calligraphy.

“But I am comfortable with using script Diwani,” he said and added that he used vibrant colours to highlight the script in his artwork.

Aslam Dogar served 25 years in the metal work industry and showcased 16 art pieces on metal and canvas.

“I worked in the advertisement industry and made billboards before turning to calligraphy.”

Dogar made art pieces while molding steel in different shapes. He also wrote verses and holy names with metal in different styles.

Nauman Nawaz painted the outskirts of Faisalabad and exhibited 14 paintings on landscape.

“I was inspired from the nature and wanted to bring the images to my canvas,” he said.

He said he did not get formal education in arts but learned from different artists. He said he had been working for the last 10 years.

MPA Raja Hanif Advocate, who inaugurated the exhibition, said the event was a feast for the art lovers of the Potohar region.

He said the exhibition featured the works of artists from Faisalabad who were really talented and hard working.

Pakistan has many talented artists but they need encouragement and more opportunities to further hone their skills.

Renowned artist Aslam Kamal applauded the works of the artists and termed them the ambassadors of love. Naheed Manzoor said RAC had become a cultural hub in the region.

She said professional and amateur artists from other districts were given equal chances for the promotion of the art.

RAC resident director Waqar Ahmed said the exhibition had provided an opportunity to artists from the Potohar and the Faisalabad regions to share their experiences.

The event also depicted the real essences of the rural culture of Punjab. The exhibition will remain open till November 2.