The Art of Calligraphy
The Hindu, Friday Review Friday, Aug 17, 2007 The flower-like letter Imagine a style of writing being compared to the glistening hair of the bride. Such evocative images can emerge only from the grand art of calligraphy. Sadly, it is withering away for lack of patronage RISHIKESH BAHADUR DESAI FADING CITADEL Mohammad Quaza demonstrates his art. With no takers left, he leads his life painting posters “Let me enjoy the aroma of flowers around here,” says the epitaph of Sultan Mehmood Shah Bahmani the third, who once ruled Bidar. The Arabic and Farsi letters are arranged in such an artistic manner on the tomb stone, that they look like flowers in blossom. Islamic Calligraphy, called Fun –E- Khattat is present on almost all the historic buildings in Bidar. It adds to the beauty of these 100 or so tombs, Masjids and Dargahs in and around the historic city. Calligraphy is also defined as the art of giving form to signs. Islamic calligraphy is said to have evolved nearly 100 years after the...