Calligraphy

Calligraphy is purely an Islamic art. It originated with the advent of Islam. It flowered particularly in the early and medieval centuries of Islam. It was always considered to be a very respectful art. Proficiency in it was indeed the hall-mark of a gentleman. In short, calligraphy is a great heritage of the Muslim art and has been a distinctive importance right from the advent of Islam to the present day. Every period of the Muslim history has witnessed renowned calligraphists. Their unique pieces of art are still a source of great inspiration for the art-lovers. During the hey-day of Islam, the Muslims had been so well-versed with the Holy Quran and Hadith that they used the place of calligraphed verses and the sayings of the Holy Prophet for decoration. Every distinguished calligraphist had been calligraphing the verses of the Holy Quran and had created masterpieces of it. This art had made a rich contribution to the publication and propagation of the Holy Quran as the Muslims devoted their aesthetic and artistic skill to it. The Masjids constructed during the early and medieval period of Islam were adorned with superb pieces of calligraphy and reflect the great value of this remarkable Muslim art.

          Pakistan, which is deeply rooted in Islamic history and culture, was the natural inheritor of the excellent traditions of calligraphy which were duly followed, maintained and advanced by Pakistani calligraphists. There have been many reputed calligraphic artists in Pakistan. In Lahore, Agha Mirza Imam Vardy gave new dimensions to this art and was followed by equally renowned Sufi Abdul Majid Parveen Raqam who changed the round form of letters to elegant ovals. The published works of Allama Iqbal are in his hand and so are some of the verses inscribed on the shrine of Ali Hijweri. Tajuddin Zareen Raqam had his own style. Others included Maulvi Muhammad Hussain, Munshi Muhammad Saddiq Almas Raqam and Munshi Jamil Ahmad. Haji Din Muhammad specialized in tughra while Munshi Muhammad Qasim Sultan-ul-Qalam began writing a beautiful Quran (later finished by his son Munshi Muhammad Shafi) for the Anjuman-e-Himayat-e-Islam, Lahore.

          Calligraphy is very much a living art today in Pakistan. There are many distinguished calligraphists like Sufi Khursheed Alam, Syed Anwar Hussain Nafis Raqam and Hafiz Muhammad Yousaf Sadidi. Sadequain is a well-known painter-cum-calligraphist. He had acquired a peculiar technique and style in the calligraphing and painting of the Quranic verses using the alphabetic grandeur of Kufic script. His works have a unique power and flair. They are dominantly marked by sky-blue and earthy born colours. Another artist, Sardar Muhammad has also produced quality calligraphic works. Similar is the case with Aslam Kamal.

          Speaking as a whole, the Pakistani artists have produced excellent works in painting and calligraphy. They are in demand abroad and many countries have often offered to hold exhibitions of their paintings and calligraphic contributions. Really our artists are gaining eminence overseas. They have projected both beauty and image of Pakistan. Both the government and the public are taking great interest in the promotion of fine arts in Pakistan.