ISLAMABAD: The Satrang Gallary inaugurated Hurouf, the annual Ramazan show for the fifth year in a row.

The group exhibition features the works of renowned artists, Rasheed Butt and Gohar Qalam, along with amateur artists including Bin Qulander, Arif Khan and Mussarat Arif.

The director of the gallery, Asma Rashid Khan, said: “Huroof means ‘letters’ in Arabic but in this context it means the art of letters. Calligraphy is part of most cultures and languages and is deeply embedded in Islamic traditions perhaps because of the emphasis on writing, reading and knowledge seeking in Islam.”

All the artists in the exhibition have their signature style, she said.

Rasheed Butt’s plain black canvases are the perfect backdrop for thick, gold painted Quranic verses. He has pursued a bold and minimal style in his work, with a completely traditional manner of illumination while Gohar Qalam presents traditional and perfectly balanced calligraphy pieces, she said, adding that his paintings are “passionate in their praise for God”.

She explained that Bin Qulander, who was originally trained as a miniaturist, works in the Diwani style while Arif Khan’s art is reminiscent of musical scores where energetic, thick swipes of raw paint are used to create beautifully crafted delicate script.

Mussarat Arif paints in the Kufic style and utilises vivid colours to offset the thick black lines of her writings, Ms Khan said.

Also attending the inauguration was Austrian Ambassador Brigitta Blaha, who said: “I am very honoured to inaugurate a calligraphy exhibition which is one of the most skilful of Islamic art. Calligraphy was historically a way to pen down sacred texts in Christianity, Buddhism and Islam which made it an invaluable way to spread knowledge. In Islamic traditions, calligraphies have found space on monuments, mosques and canvas which creates continuity of traditions.”

Discussing the art of calligraphy, renowned calligrapher Rasheed Butt said: “I am fascinated by the timeless and captivating message of the Holy Quran and Sunnah. It gives me much pride to know that my hand is an instrument in creating delightful expression of this Divine message. I feel honoured that the Almighty has bestowed upon me this opportunity to spread this Divine message to audience worldwide.”

Khursheed Alam, known as Gohar Qalam and whose pieces were on display at the show, studied under the late Hafiz Yousuf Sadidi who was one of the great masters of calligraphy of the Indian subcontinent. His major works include a copy of the Holy Quran placed in Faisal Mosque and includes 406 styles of calligraphy. The entire manuscript weighing 1,600kg is divided into 30 parts, placed in separate show cases.

Arif Khan said: “If painting is music, then I play it on my canvases. My calligraphic symphonies run in low keys – smoothly. Suddenly, they move into a higher pitch with thick strokes to surprise … and then, just as suddenly, they resume their soothing melodies.”

He divides the space on his canvas by writing small pieces around the focal point and fills the focal point with a large word.

Mussarat Arif is a contemporary calligraphist who uses the ‘Kufic’ form of calligraphy in her artworks. Her art is governed by the principles of balance and proportion, rhythm and unity. She incorporates various patterns and geometric designs in her work which are interwoven with the words of the Holy Quran.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2016