LAHORE: (Monday, December 10, 2012): The first-ever international conference on calligraphy titled “Sarir-e-Khama: Art of Pen” in the history of Punjab University kicked of at University College of Art & Design, Old Campus here on Monday. In this regard, an inaugural ceremony was held at Senate Hall in which renowned industrialist Syed Baber Ali participated as chief guest while PU VC Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Principal PUCAD Prof Dr Rahat Naveed Masood, Director General and Cultural Attaché Iranian Cultural Centre Lahore Prof Dr Abbas Khamori, world’s renowned calligrapher and Baghdad University’s professor Dr Sallah Shahzad, Pakistan Calligraphers Association General Secretary Irfan Qureshi, renowned calligraphers from Middle East, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, faculty members and a large number of students and people from various walks of life were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran lauded the efforts of Dr Rahat Naveed Masood and said that the international conference on calligraphy was being organized for the first time in the history of Punjab University only because of her efforts. He said that calligraphy was our traditional art but we were unaware of our historical asset. He said that the conference would help preserve our asset and promote art of calligraphy in our society. Renowned Industrialist Syed Baber Ali lauded the efforts of Dr Rahat Naveed Masood in organizing international moot on calligraphy and said that it would encourage calligraphers. Dr Sallah Shahzad said that the delegates and the students would benefit from the conference and share their experiences and knowledge.

Dr Rahat Naveed Masood thanked Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran for his support in organizing the conference and said that it would provide an opportunity to students to learn. Dr. Rahat Naveed titled the exhibition as a valiant effort in reviving the dying art of calligraphy in Pakistan. Mr Irfan Qureshi briefed the participants regarding schedule of the conference and threw light on the artwork of calligraphers. Later, the participants visited Anna Molka Art Gallery and Main Hall and lauded the artwork of calligraphers. This exhibition is a unique assortment of Islamic and Quranic manuscript created by matchless masters of this art.

The show comprises a unique piece of Kufic Manuscript written on a deerskin dated 1st Century Hijra to the masterpieces of the Mughal and British era. Moreover, unique pieces of Quranic manuscripts, in various styles of writing known as Khat are put on display like Khat-e Naskh, Khat-e Nasta’liq, Khat-e Thulth, Khat-e Rehan, Khat-e Bahar and Khat-e Turkistani. These pieces are not only matchless in their rendering, but also have historic value as they are dated back to the 1st, 8th, 9th, 11th and 13th Century Hijra. The maestros whose work is on display are: Mir Ali Tibrezi who is considered as the founder of Khat-e Nasta’liq, Mazhar al-Husaini, Ahmad bin Muhammad Tibrezi, Ahmad bin Masoom Ali, Faqir Abd-al Jabbar, Muhammad bin Othman and Abd al-Rasheed Dehlavi. This show will remain open till 19th of December and is followed by a three-day conference and six-day workshop on the art of calligraphy.