Arabic Calligraphy

Arabic Calligraphy gained prominence during the Islamic Golden Age especially from the Arabic language Kufic script. The types of pens to be used for right and left-handed calligraphers vary in sizes and shapes while prices vary depending on places of transactions. Rhonde script is a form of handwriting that translates to calligraphy and it is also a form of penmanship or writing technique. Going back to calligraphic history, we found the names of the 10 best pioneers. 1. Ibn Muqla–lived in the 10th century 2. Yaqut al-Musta'simi–lived in the 13th century; Abbasid era, Thuluth and Naskh 3. Sheikh Hamdullah–15th-16th century, Ottoman Calligrapher; Naskh script 4. Mustafa Rakim–18th-19th century, Ottoman; Naskh and Thuluth 5. Mehmed Şevki Efendi–19th century, Ottoman; Naskh and Thuluth 6. Ibn al-Bawwab–11th century; Naskh from Ibn Muqla 7. Seyyid Kasim Gubari–17th century, Ottoman; Thuluth 8. Ahmed Karahisari–16th century, Ottoman; Diwani (Dewani) script 9. Hâfiz Osman–17th century, Ottoman; Diwani script 10. Hamdullah al-Amasi–15th century, Ottoman, Naskh and Thuluth In Hindi, Calligraphy is सुलेख and pronounced Sulekh, while in Arabic it is فن الخط and pronounced fanu alkhati; in Malayalam it is കാലിഗ്രാഫി and pronounced kaaligraphy; in Urdu it is خطاطی; in Bengali it is ক্যালিগ্রাফি or Kyāligrāphi. In German it is called Kalligraphie; in Czech it is kaligrafie, while in Somali, it Xardh. Despite being an ancient script, there are disputes related to its origin. Some people are of the opinion that it first rose to prominence in China with characters carved on animal bones and tortoise shells. Others opine that it has been a common decorative art in China, Korea, and Japan before spreading to other parts of the world. One book that towers above others in the art of Calligraphy is the Glorious Qur’an. “Most Islamic calligraphy is in Arabic and most Arabic calligraphy is Islamic” is a wise saying. The most influential calligraphic languages are mostly written in Arabic and with Arabic leading, the others are Urdu, Persian and Ottoman that is known to Muslims as Uthmaniya even though to the Turkish people, it is derived from Osman who was the original founder of the Ottoman Empire in the thirteenth century. It flourished in Spain, North Africa, and Iran from the seventh to the tenth century. Written in astonishingly varied and imaginative ways, the unique feature of Islamic art known as Calligraphy appears to be getting the attention it deserves among people who feel contented with its appearance and beauty. No wonder, it has become a common decorative script in poetry and prose and architectural works especially in palaces and mosques and mausoleums. If you want to write an alif or aleph, “create a vertical stroke and then gently curve it to the right.” A simple mistake could cause a change in your writing instantly. To make accurate and articulate fluid lines, move your hand and wrist gently. People who master the art of Calligraphy are known as Calligraphers while the works they do are calligraphic works. There are seven styles used for writing calligraphy. UNESCO added Arabic Calligraphy and Palestinian embroidery to its intangible heritage list. With over 100 styles, only seven are considered the best and they are Kufic, Thuluth, Nasakh, Muhaqqaq, Diwani or Dewani, and Riq'a. 1. From Al-Kufa, a southern Iraqi town, calligraphy got associated with the Kufic script. With the final work appearing square in shape, calligraphy is known for short vertical lines and long horizontal lines. 2. Distinctive and flowless is the Dewani Ottoman style that came to flourish during the rule of Suleiman the magnificent who gave the responsibility of writing to a man by the name Housam Roumi. Between 1520 to 1566 it was used for important official decrees, documents and legal correspondence. From the twentieth century it became exclusive to greeting cards and invitations. 3. The third type of Calligraphy is called Thuluth, a name derived from Arabic meaning “third.” A visible Thuluth writing is the cloth that covers the Kaaba in Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia. It is of larger topography and easier to read than other styles or types. 4. “Naskh” in Arabic means “to copy” and has been in existence since the first century after the establishment of Islam. It is mainly used for writing the Glorious Qur'an. It is legible and easier to read. Derived from the Kufic script, it was popularized by minister Muqla Al-Shirazi during the Abbasid caliphate in the ninth century. 5. Rayhani Script is in reference to myrtle and basil; the script Rayhani means “sweet smell” or aromatic and no wonder it was named after the Ocimum plant. 6. Muhaqqaq which means “accomplished” or “clear”, is the best and most preferred form of calligraphy for writing the Glorious Qur’an. 7. Riqa is known for having shorter horizontal lines, is more rounded and is known to contain elements of Thuluth. Since Calligraphers used smaller pieces of parchments for writing, the term Riqa is from the Arabic noun Ruqa that translates to a piece of material or patch.