Arabic calligraphy that was once a favourite of believers of Islam and especially among artists involved with scripting of religious texts, is facing extinction. During a recent exhibition, Khat-e-Kufi calligraphy was cynosure of all eyes.
Srinagar, Aug.3 : Arabic calligraphy that was once a favourite of believers of Islam and especially among artists involved with scripting of religious texts, is facing extinction. During a recent exhibition, Khat-e-Kufi calligraphy was cynosure of all eyes.
Khat-e-Kufi calligraphy, which has become rare in the present time, evolved alongside Islam and Arabic language, an aspect of geometric art. Many ancient Islamic texts like the holy Quran, had been written in this form. Today, it's facing extinction.
The ancient art of Khat-e-Kufi calligraphy, which has almost died, was on display at an Iranian stall of an art exhibition held at Kashmir Haat here.
A twenty two-year-old anonymous Iranian calligraphist is learnt to have revived the ancient art form. He has raised a collection of his works in Iran that he prepared by re-writing the texts after due research.
But Mohammad Faisal, an art curator from Delhi brought the Iranian youngster's works to Kashmir to popularise the now forgotten ancient art form to the art lovers here. The works displayed at the Iranian stall was a major draw.
Faisal said: "This is an ancient art known as Khat-e-kufi. It was used to write ancient Islamic texts like Quran and is extinct now. One boy from Iran has taken the efforts to research upon the subject and has revived this form by rewriting the texts."
Faisal, who was himself unfamiliar with the ancient art form of Khat-e-Kufi took due care to restore the texts in an appealing manner. He used burnt and worn out wooden pieces of papers to bring an antique look to the texts.
The exhibited texts provided a peep into the history and also rendered an opportunity for the local art lovers who gathered here from far off places of the State.
Sajad, one of the visitors, said: "The culture of Kashmir and Iran are very much alike and we are very happy that somebody has taken the pain to revive the Khat-e-kufi. He has done a remarkable job. Such things should go on in future as well so that we learn about our culture."
The locals were also excited at the prospect to see the fabled texts in reality.
Kaisar Khan, another visitor, said: "I had only heard about this but had never had the opportunity to see a Khat-e-kufi in reality. I am very happy that such a thing has come to Kashmir and we had an opportunity to see it. It is a great thing."A few decades ago the art of Khat-e-Kufi was very popular and appreciated in Kashmir due to the age-old historical and cultural links of Kashmir with Iran. Kashmiris used to have the knowledge of the unique calligraphy style, but today not many people know about it.
Khat-e-Kufi calligraphy was used to outline the borders of photographs and paintings, and to decorate mosques. There is not one Arab monument without Arabic calligraphy.
Very few people were able to master the calligraphic art form.
Arabic calligraphy forms the basis of all Islamic art. The writing style using patterns and designs is used almost on all Islamic paintings, manuscripts, monuments and photographs. By Suhail Ahmed
ANI