INTODUCTIONS OF CALLIGRAPHY:

Calligraphy is the art of fine penmanship in any of the world’s scripts. The Urdu Word of calligraphy is khattati. Pakistan’s most widely known calligrapher is the artist, Ibn-e- Kaleem, whose work you must have seen at exhibitions in various cities.

The art of calligraphy was considered so important by Muslims in all ages, that the name of the calligrapher is inscribed on a brass tablet on the Taj Mahal at Agra while no mention is made of the architect of this beautiful building! Babar and Bahadur Shah Zafar were themselves calligraphers. All the great Moghuls were patrons of this artistic style of writing.

There are six known styles of calligraphy; Nastaleeq, Naskh, Suls, Kufi, Riqa and Diwani.They are different ways of forming the letters of the Urdu, Persian and Arabic alphabet. Each one is attractive in its own way.It is very distinctive calligraphy which he has perfected with great labour as an original contribution to this ancient art. Ibn-e-Kaleem does not confine himself to writing in straight lines. He had created some very intricate compositions in the form of circles, oval and oblong panels. He has executed with art and dexterity ninety-nine medallions for the ninety-nine names of almighty Allah. Writing one on each in Khat-e-Ra’ana. Not content with the exquisite lettering, he has given them beautiful borders. Each medallion may be mistaken for a salver.