Islamabad Institute of Calligraphy to Be Established
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of four-day International Calligraphy Exhibition arranged by NHLH Division in collaboration with Research Center for Islamic History, Arts and Culture (IRCICA), Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The exhibition started at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) as a part of Independence Day celebrations.
Addressing the event, Irfan Siddique said that the Institute of Calligraphy would be established during the current year with an objective to promote and preserve the noble art of calligraphy which was distinctive due to its strong linkage with the religion.
He said that the art of calligraphy originated following the revelation of Quran and sustained during more than 1,400 years without any patronage and promotion at government level.
"It was those calligraphers in far-flung areas of the country who without any encouragement and motivation kept this art alive and introduced its different 20 fonts with passage of time,” he added.
He said the NHLH Division had displayed the innovative work of the calligraphers from across the country in this exhibition for promotion of this art and encouragement of the artists.
Irfan Siddiqui said the division had increased the monthly stipends and life insurance amount earlier for the literary persons and now this facility would be extended to the calligraphers soon.
Irfan Siddiqui said this exhibition would prove as a milestone toward promoting this art and open new avenues of cooperation in the fields of Islamic history, arts and culture with other countries.
"The participation of prominent calligraphers from across the country and abroad would gave an opportunity to the young and professional artists to interact, share their skills and learn from each other’s experience,” he said.
NHLH Division Federal Secretary Aamir Hasan in his introductory remarks thanked IRCICA Director General Dr Halit Eren for his cooperation toward arranging this event.
Around 43 art pieces of the calligraphers from Egypt, Morocco, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Tunisia, Indonesia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, Britain, Thailand, Sudan and Jordan were displayed in the exhibition.
While the art pieces of around 36 Pakistani calligraphers from different parts of the country were also part of the exhibition. An 11-member delegation comprising high officials from IRCICA as well as calligraphers from different countries participated in the exhibition.
The exhibition would be continued for four days so that the art lovers could visit the exhibition thoroughly and observed the art work of the professional calligraphers and learn innovations.
A seminar titled "Fun-i-Khatati; Tahafuz aur Farogh Key Taqazey” will be held on August 26 where local and foreign experts will have fruitful discussion on the ways to revive this glorious Islamic art with a renewed spirit.
Source: The Daily Times
