RAWALPINDI: Keeping with the spirit of Ramazan, a six-day exhibition of calligraphic works opened at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) on Tuesday.

The exhibition featured close to 50 pieces by senior artists such as Aftab Ahmed Khan, Ellahi Bux Mattee, Khawaja Muhammad Hussain, Azeem Iqbal, Shahnawaz Ansari, Muhammad Ali Saqi and Younis Roomi.

The works incorporated different traditions and styles such as the Kufi, Thuluth, Nastalique, Jalli and others. Each piece displayed the skills of the artists who had incorporated carving and moulding to give the works a three dimensional quality.

Aftab Ahmed Khan, recipient of Presidential Pride of Performance Award, used paper and gold leaves to write verses from the Holy Quran. Ellahi Bux used Naqshi, Imran Tahir used oil paints on canvas and Azeem Iqbal used leather and Aab-e-Zam Zam.

Speaking at the opening, Shia Ulema Council’s Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi said the work of the calligraphers was wonderful. “Our calligraphers are the custodians of Islamic heritage. They wrote the names of Allah and Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) with love and devotion and used vibrant colours,” he said.

Allama Naqvi said the art of calligraphy was as old as Islam because it started with revelation of Holy Quran. He added the work of the senior artists reflects their command over the subject.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed said that Rawalpindi Arts Council organised calligraphic exhibitions every year in the holy month of Ramazan to celebrate the devotion of the artists.

He said the quality of calligraphic works by Pakistani artists was superb.

“The pieces also reflect local influences on Islamic art,” he said.

He said that Pakistani artists made their place in the world, through their skills as painters and calligraphers. He said that the RAC always provided a platform to young and senior artists to exhibit their work.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2015

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