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Calligraphy
has always been one of the most deared arts throughout the
centuries of the Iranian history. These beautiful handwritings have been
preserved in the form of about 15,000 copies of the Holy Koran and many
other poems that blend together the art of painting and writing.
Many of those hand written books are beautifully decorated and pages
are often framed with precious golden characters. Many of Holy Scriptures
are kept and well preserved at the museum of the Great Library situated
in the city of Mash-had in North-East of Iran.
The history of calligraphy in Iran dates back to the pre Islam era. In Zoroastrianism beautiful and clear writings were always praised. With the advent of Islam, calligraphy got entered a new era. According to Islamic thought, figural arts and painting live objects has an idolatry implication, therefore words and shapes were chosen to convey artistic messages.
Among the various Iranian calligraphers we can name Abolfazl Savji and Mir Emad who were evidently the masters of this art. One of the most eminent students of Mir Emad by the name of Nuruddin Mohammed Lahiji another famous Persian calligrapher who was famous as Noora and nicknamed Khush-nevis. In the painting world, of the Persian painters of repute one can name Reza Abbasi and Kamal-ul-Molk. Hussain Behzad the dextrous miniature artist is famous for his miniature works. the works of this Persian artist can be seen in most of the museums of the world.
More information on Persian and Arabic Calligraphy could be
found in the following site: |
Becoming master of Persian calligraphy requires
long and hard training together with self concentration. Training starts
with practicing Mufradat, i.e., writing lone letters and proceeds to
Javameh, i.e., writting a combination of letters and words.
A piece of trimmed cane, called "ghalam" and ink, named "davat" are
the only tools used. Ghalam is usually made of good quality cane,
with around 5-10mm thickness. It is cut to around 20cm pieces.
the calligraphers are responsible for trimming the nib and cutting
the point. The nib should be split in the center to have equal halves.
