Lok Virsa to hold “Exhibition of Traditional Calligraphy”

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, government of Pakistan will hold an “Exhibition of Traditional Calligraphy” by calligraphist Muhammad Azeem Iqbal from 8th to 14th June, 2018 at Heritage Museum, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian marking the holy month of Ramadan. The exhibition will comprise of fifty calligraphic artifacts/paintings on Islamic arts in various mediums like leather, wood work, copper, precious stones, etc.

In this regard, a prestigious opening ceremony will take place on Friday, 8th June, 2018 at 11 am at Heritage Museum. The exhibition will also feature Na’atia kalam and Qawwali performances by young artists marking the holy month of Ramadan.

Calligraphy, a centuries-old decorative ornamental handwriting art, hails from the Greek civilization. The word `calligraphy’ is a combination of two Greek words ‘kalli’ (beautiful) and ‘graphia’ (to write). Since the advent of Islam, its holy book, the Quran, was written on different mediums. Calligraphists of that era used many writing styles to transcribe the manuscript of the holy book. Since then, this particular art has associated itself with spirituality and is the most popular form of design arts in the Muslim world. After acquiring the status of the noblest of all arts, it has been adorned on the ceiling, exterior, interior and domes of all famous mosques, shrines, buildings and monuments of religious importance in Islam.

Azim’s calligraphy stresses on the sacredness and spirit of the written word with subjective aesthetics in pure oriental tradition. Using three-dimensional techniques in wood, metal, gold, silver and leather, Azeem creates his calligraphic works with an intense devotion, which goes beyond his passion play as an artist. Apart from his fascination with calligraphy, Azeem also works on miniature, wood carving, relief work and other mediums to express his creative urge.

The exhibition will remain on display for public/visitors at Lok Virsa Heritage Museum from 8th to 14th June, 2018 during working hours from 10 am to 4 pm (except Monday).

Web Desk

Published in The Balochistan Point June 7, 2018