“National Calligraphy Competition and Exhibition” continues to allure art lovers of twin cities

ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):Week-long “National Calligraphy Competition and Exhibition” continues to mesmerize the art lovers of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on its fourth day through display of unique art pieces and conducting live training workshops for the learners of this glorious Islamic art.
The exhibition and competition, was arranged by National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH) Division and dedicated to the legendary calligrapher, `Abdul Majeed Parveen Raqam’ to pay him tribute for his extra-ordinary contribution.
A large number of students from different educational institutions, art lovers and aspiring calligraphers visited the calligraphy exhibition at Satrang Gallery on Monday and participated in the live training workshop.
“Such events are vital to teach the youth about importance of Islamic art of calligraphy and motivate them to learn it”, said a group of students from COMSATS who were visiting the exhibition.
Talking to APP, they said, “The present government has taken effective steps to promote this historical genre of art which has its origin following the revelation of Holy Quran.”
Over 300 calligraphers from far flung areas of the country including FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir submitted their unique art pieces to the division for participating in the competition.
The jury members comprising of senior calligraphers have finally selected 18 best art pieces of the calligraphers through adopting a transparent procedure and they will be given cash prizes and awards in a ceremony on the concluding day (February 28).
While special prizes will also be given to the special persons and women belonging to the far flung areas who are contributing in this field.
National Calligraphy Exhibition and Competition was inaugurated by Advisor to Prime Minister on NH&LH, Irfan Siddiqui on Friday who announced to send calligraphers belonging to the far flung areas of the country to Turkey for training.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard will be signed with Research Center for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), Turkey, he revealed. The advisor also announced that the art works of calligraphers displayed in the exhibition will also be published in the shape of book.
Calligrapher of Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Mosque, Ustad Shafeeq-uz-Zaman was chief guest in the inaugural ceremony who also conducted training workshop for students.
It is pertinent to mention here that the NH&LH division, since its establishment, has taken several measures to revive the neglected art of calligraphy which include arrangement of a national and an international calligraphy exhibition last year, establishing first-ever Calligraphy Institute, compilation of Directory of Calligraphers