2. HISTORY OF CALLIGRAPHY
The word Calligraphy is derived from roman
language which means writing beautifully.
The art of calligraphy is believed to have started
with the ancient story-telling pictures that were drawn
on the walls of caves.
By approximately 3,500 Before Egyptian civilization
created a highly stylized writing known today as
‘hieroglyphics’
3. Types of Calligraphies
• Today, there are three main types or styles of calligraphy:
• (1) Western or Roman,
• (2) Chinese or Oriental.
• (3) Arabic,
4. Western or Roman
The Romans learned their writing skills from the Greeks. By 850 BCE the
Romans had adapted the letters and words into the Latin language. In the
centuries following the fall of the Roman Empire, Latin continued to be the
language of the church and was used throughout Europe.
5. Chinese or Oriental.
Chinese calligraphy history dated back to 4000 years ago. No one can tell exactly when
Chinese written language appeared. The oldest language discovered now is Jia Gu
Wen, written on the shells of turtles..
6. Arabic Calligraphy
•Islamic calligraphy is the beautiful writing of the Arabic script.
•It is has been the main Islamic art since the Quran's revelation
(610 AD).
7. Primary Styles
Over 100 Styles
6 Primary Styles
Named based on: width of
the pen -
8. Kufi or Kufic:. Kufic is one of the earliest styles to be used to record the word of God in
the Qur’an. One of the early kufic inscriptions can be seen inside the Dome of the Rock in
Jerusalem.
9. Variations of Kufic Style
Fayeq Oweis, 2005
Arab American National Museum Source: www.sakkal.com
10. Thuluth means “one third,” It was first formulated in the 7th century A.D., and fully
developed in the 9th century.
It is noted for its cursive letters and its use as an decorative script.
11. Nasakh means “copy” in Arabic, is one of the earliest scripts, redesigned by Ibn
Muqlah in the 10th century A.D.,
It is noted for its clarity to read and write, and was used to copy the Qur’an.
12. Ta’liq means “hanging,” referring to the shape of the letters, is a cursive script
developed by the Persians in the early part of the 9th century A.D., and it is also called
Farsi (Persians).
13. Diwani was developed by the Ottomans from the Ta’liq style. This style became a
favorite script for writing in the Ottoman chancellery, and its name was derived from the
word “Diwan,” which means the “Royal Court.”
14. Riq’a It is noted for its simplicity and its short horizontal stems.
The word Riq’a means
“a small sheet,” which could be an indication of the media on which it was originally
created.
15. Tughra’ was used by the Ottoman sultans as their signature. It was supposed to
be impossible to imitate.
Signature of an Ottoman Sultan
18. The Wazir Khan Mosque
•The Wazir Khan Mosque ) in Lahore, Pakistan, is famous for its
extensive faience tile and Calligraphy work.
• It has been described as ' a mole on the cheek of Lahore'.
• It was built in seven years, starting around 1634-1635 AD, during the reign of
the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan.
• It was built by Shaikh Ilm-ud-din Ansari,
19. Mughal Art work and calligraphy at Wazir Khan
Mosque, Lahore
20. THATTA GRAVEYARD
The World Heritage listed the
remains of the city of Thatta in
1981. Thatts’s old necropolis
confers you with a view of the
Sind civilization.
21. THATTA SHAH JAHAN MOSQUE
Shah Jahan Mosque was built by Shah Jahan in
1647-49 and lined with glazed tiles and
beautiful calligraphy. This structure has 101
domes and is designed in such a way that
imam's voice can reach every corner of this
building without the help of any loudspeaker or
other device.
22. Bhong Mosque
•Bhong Mosque is located in the village of Bhong, Sadiqabad
Tehsil, Rahim Yar Khan District, Southern Punjab Pakistan.
•It was designed and constructed over a period of nearly 50 years
(1932–1982) and won the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 1986.
24. Rasheed Butt
•Started Calligraphy in 1961
•Since then he has devoted his everything to Islamic calligraphy
The calligraphic inscriptions of
Mr. Rasheed Butt fall into four
catgories:
(1): Qur'anic:
(2): Hadith:
(3): Traditional invocations or
prayers.
(4): Poetry, both Arabic and
Persian
25. Butt’s achievements
Butt’s achievements were recognized by the President of Pakistan who
presented him with the “Pride of Performance” award in 1989.
He was chosen as an International jury member for the International
Calligraphy Competition organized by the IRCICA (Turkey).
He has exhibited his work all over the globe.
I feel honored that the Almighty has bestowed upon me this opportunity
to spread this Divine message to audiences worldwide..
He does not sleep a single night without concentrating on ways and means
of enhancing his contribution to Islamic calligraphy"
28. Born in 1930 in Amroha, UP, India, Sadequain got recognition
at the age of 31 at the 1961 Paris Biennale..
During his life, Sadequain became a cult figure with a large
following from all walks of life.
Sadequain was responsible for the renaissance of Islamic
calligraphy in Pakistan. He was one of the greatest calligraphers
of his time who transformed the art of calligraphy into eye
catching expressionist paintings
He is the only artist who has been copied openly and widely
by many others;
The brush strokes stopped on February 10, 1987 in
Karachi, when the greatest of painters and calligraphists was just
57.
The collection of his poetry, titled Rubayat e Sadequain
Kulliyat launched at the Arts Council in Karachi which was
completed by nephew, Sultan Ahmad Naqvi.