RAWALPINDI: A three-day calligraphy exhibition was inaugurated on Tuesday by former Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) resident director Naheed Manzoor.

The exhibition features over 60 pieces by artists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The exhibiting artists include Aftab Ahmed Khan, Elahi Bux Mattee, Khawaja Mohammad Hussain, Azeem Iqbal, Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, Mohammad Imran, Ghulam Fareed Bhatti and Younis Roomi.

The work included calligraphy in the Khat-i-Nastaleeq, Sulus, Shikasta and Koofi styles.

The pieces were typically oil-on-canvas, and many of the artists had used vibrant colours in their work, which featured a mix of mediums and modern and traditional styles.

Mr Arshad said his work was a combination of lines and vibrant colours, and he had tried to write the names of Allah and Quranic verses in various styles.

“My work is combination of modern and traditional styles,” he said.

The artist said he was self-taught, and was inspired by nature. He said he believed that calligraphy was a field of love and devotion, to which he had introduced something new and unique.

Mr Khan said he has been working for 70 years to promote art and culture in the country. He said he was taught calligraphy by his father.

He said he used strong, bright colours because he liked the combinations of such colours, adding that one of the unique things about his work was the way he treated oil colours to make is work look antique.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ms Manzoor said calligraphers were custodians of this Islamic tradition, which was still as popular as it was in the past.

RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed told Dawn that the artists’ work was enough to prove their maturity and grip on calligraphy.

“It is a unique exhibition which provided an opportunity for budding artists to learn from the seniors,” he said.

He said the RAC was providing a platform to old and new talent to present their work. “Junior artists will get the opportunity to learn traditional and modern styles from senior artists,” he said.

The exhibition will be open to the public until June 14.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2018