LAHORE: (Thursday, December 13, 2012): Punjab University College of Art and Design (PUCAD) students presented a mime show in connection with PU's first-ever international calligraphic conference “Sarir-e-Khama: Art of Pen” at Al Hamra Arts Council on Wednesday evening. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, PUCAD Principal Prof Dr Rahat Naveed Masud, senior faculty members, delegates from Turkey, Iran, United Kingdom, people from various walks of life and a large number of students were present on the occasion. The show was conceived and directed by PUCAD's senior faculty member Mrs. Maliha Azami Aga in which her team under her supervision left no stone unturned in enthralling the audience with their outstanding performance. Dr Kamran lauded the efforts of the students and college administration for successfully organizing the whole conference. Earlier, on the third day of the conference at Senate Hall, Old Campus, there were three sessions on specific themes under which speakers presented their papers. Dr. Masud presided over all the three sessions while each session had its own chairperson. The first session theme was ‘Aesthetic Spiritual Dimensions'.

This session was chaired by Mr. Kamil Khan Mumtaz. First speaker, Dr. Muhammad Shoaib, talked on ‘Calligraphy and Self Purification (Khush Naweesi aur Tatheer-e Zat) and discussed the aesthetic canon of calligraphy in understanding and purifying the self. Mr. Salahuddin Shehzad, a scholar from Iraq, presented his paper on ‘Artistic Expression in Arabic Calligraphy; My Artworks as an Example'. Emma Clake, a well-known British scholar, read a paper on ‘Calligraphy and the Islamic Garden, with Special Reference to Taj Mahal and Al-Hamra'. The second session under the theme of ‘Symbolism and Architecture' started under the chair of Mr. Hasan Shahnawaz Zaidi, started after refreshment. Speaker Mr. Taimoor Khan Mumtaz presented his thoughts on ‘Modernity, Tradition and Art' while the second speaker of this session, Miss. Maudi Maryam from Iran, spoke on ‘Different Styles of Calligraphy in Iran'.

PUCAD's Professor Dr. Shaukat Mahmood presented his paper on ‘Magic of Rectangular Kufi on Islamic Monuments' after which. The third and the last session commenced after lunch for which Mrs. Sajida Haider Vandal was the chairperson. The theme for this session was ‘Related Arts and Technology'. First speaker Dr. Pervez Habibullah presented his paper on ‘Calligraphy of the Seal of the Holy Prophet PBUH' while Mr. Ibrar ul Hussain Shakir ul Qadri shared his views on ‘TAJ- Ligature based font of Lahori Khat'. He talked about the possibilities, shortcomings and benefits of converting Lahori Khat on Ligature (a computer-based program). All the sessions were followed by question answer sessions in which speakers and audience shared their views while the chairpersons commented on the sessions. Later, certificates were distributed among the participants. A documentary entitled ‘Materializing the Spiritual; Sufi Practices' by Dr. Rahat Naveed Masud was screened.