ART FACTS: Contemporary calligraphy

In the history of sub-continent there were many known calligraphers who worked with heart and soul in this art and helped in spreading it in the region. Now calligraphy has taken a new turn and it has acquired the form of painterly calligraphy. This new way of calligraphy has lately been practiced by the calligraphers of our time.
The calligraphers and painters of the modern era give more attention towards painterly calligraphy rather traditional one. They got influenced by calligraphic work done in other countries of the world and start drawing and painting the words freely and creatively without strictly following the traditional styles but of course this type of calligraphic work is governed by the principles of balance and proportion, rhythm and unity.
During centuries-long heyday calligraphy became increasingly decorative and ornate. Images of flowers and plants, geometric and mathematical designs were inserted and interwoven with the words of the Holy Qur'an. Although different artists use different techniques and styles this art has a strong aesthetic appeal. The works appear in various shapes, highlighted by Islamic motifs in bright colours such as red, orange, green, blue, ochre, cloudy white - all festive colours that are eye catching with the glitter of silver and gold leaf that enrich the artworks resulting in an artistic tradition of extraordinary beauty.
Calligraphy is an ancient type of visual art. While Islamic calligraphy is our religious as well as cultural heritage. The art of calligraphy gives a message of peace, love and brotherhood among the Muslim World. Therefore calligraphic paintings had a strong influence of Arabic art.
Basically Islamic calligraphy is associated with geometric art. The same arcs and loops, ovals and circles, vertical and horizontal lines are used as designs world over. The basic geometrical forms remain the same in all works of artists. They choose the most appropriate form they like to use in their calligraphic paintings. Proverbs and passages from the Holy Qur'an are the major sources of Islamic calligraphy. There are many types of scripts practiced the world over for calligraphy but the most preferable is Khat-e-Kufi.
In the modern world Khat-e-Kufi, Khat-e-Tuluth, Khat-e-Nastaliq, Khat-e-Naskh, Khat-e-Diwani, Khat-e-Diwani Jali, Khat-e-Riqa and Khat-e-Reham are used by the calligraphers. But Khat-e-Suls, Khat-e-Naskh and Khat-e-Nastaliq are more famous among calligraphers.
Calligraphy continues to flourish in the forms of Classical calligraphy and Modern calligraphy. Modern calligraphy ranges from functional hand-lettered inscriptions and designs to fine-art pieces where the abstract expression of the hand-written mark may or may not compromise the legibility of the letters. Whereas in Classical calligraphy a calligrapher writes characters that are disciplined yet fluid and spontaneous. And the history of calligraphy shows that beautiful and clear writings were always praised. [email protected]