LAHORE: (Wednesday, March 9, 2022): A 5-day second international conference ‘Sarir-e Khama; the Art of the Pen’ on calligraphy, along with an exhibition of Calligraphic Art has been kicked off by Punjab University College of Art and Design (PU CAD) at the prestigious and historic senate hall of the Varsity. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Culture, Arts and Related Communications Mr Shahzad Nawaz was the chief guest at the opening ceremony while College Principal Prof Dr Sumera Jawad, Chief Convener Sarir-e Khama Prof Dr Anis Siddiqi, teachers, calligraphers, students were present on this occasion. A workshop was also conducted by international and local calligraphers. Mr Shahzad Nawaz appreciated the organizers and said that Sarir-e-Khama was one of the best platforms for calligraphers and other artists to express their artwork at a platform of international standard. Dr Naela Aamir presented an overview of the last Sarir-e Khama that was held in 2012. Founder of the conference, Dr Rahat Naveed Masud talked about the journey of the conference. Dr Ahmad Bilal shared his findings on the art of calligraphy and Irfan Qureshi, the curator of Sarir-e Khama Calligraphy Exhibition, cast light on the issues and problems associated to the art of calligraphy and the Urdu text. Mr Afzal Uddin informed about the various competitions which have been holding since a decade. An exhibition of exclusive calligraphy work has also been curated at the main hall of college which has been visited by numerous art lovers, critics and dignitaries.

The second phase of the conference based on two sections chaired by Dr.Rahat Naveed Masood and General (r) Hamayun Khan Bangash on themes, “Historical Perspective and Philosophy” and “Aesthetic and Spiritual Dimensions” respectively. At the end of the first session Dr. Rahat Masud narrated the main points presented by the speakers. The second section speakers including Prof. Mr. Efdalauddin Kilic, Dr. Anjum Rehmani, Taimur Khan Mumtaz, Ms. Sadaf Hammad, Ms. Rabiya Asim and Ms. Maryam Javaid. The second session was marked by the scholarly findings of Prof. Dr. Rafya Tahir, Ms. Alia Hadi Ali, Dr. Nausheen Abass, Prof. Dr. Maimoona Khan, and Dr. Umaira Hussain. At both the sessions, the principal of the college served as a mediator for the attendants as well as for the speakers. The sessions were attended by faculty members, students, international delegates, and a large number of Pakistani calligraphers. The participants commended the efforts of organizing the Sarir-e-Khama conference in the most unfavorable circumstances marked with COVID-19. At the end, the chief guest summarized the session by his valuable comments and urged the need to streamline this diminishing art of Calligraphy. The students of the college actively served this conference with their enthusiastic services in different capacities.