Course Contents

• Practice of Thuluth script • Practice of Naskh script • Practice of Muhaqqaq script • Practice of Rehani script • Practice of Tauqi script • Practice of Riqqa script • Practice of Nasta’lique script • Practice of Naskh Advertising script • Concept based calligraphic art in any medium or technique (Mini thesis) • Assessment through Presentations, discussions and Assignments 40 marks • Creative Practice/Studio Work 200 marks • Professional Practice (Group Show by students in the end of this course as a Mini Thesis Display with at least 10 works by each student) • A synopsis of 500 to 1000 words will be presented to propose the main thesis of Final Year (4th Prof. Visual Arts) along with mini thesis.

Course Synopsis

• The subject is studied with the reference of varied painting techniques and mediums used in calligraphy. • In part III students will employ assorted painting mediums and will produce a diversified style of their own. The very basic exercises of calligraphy will help them to fuse their artistic concepts onto the surface. • The students will explore the traditional calligraphic scripts aqlam al-sitta: Thuluth, Naskh, Muhaqqaq, Rehani, Tauqi and Riqqa along with the Persian script Nasta’lique from a skilled master calligrapher (ustād) and the basic technicalities of qalam on different surfaces. • The exploration of calligraphic forms will strengthen their concepts to execute a final thematic painting. • Students will weekly attend a lecture about the historical significance of calligraphy and its modernization through the centuries as well as the contemporary calligraphic artists. • The students will execute at least one of the following techniques to support their subjects a) Collage b) Mosaic c) Painting d) Miniature e) Print Making f) Ceramics

Course Learning Outcomes

The purpose to introduce this course as a major subject for BFA students is to enhance the knowledge about the Muslim art both in theory and in practical form. The subject is designed to study the aesthetical aspects of Islamic art and its execution in its historical introduction, which will strengthen the concepts of the learners. During the course the students will also learn the technicalities of writing with Qalam and aesthetically its conversion by brush strokes. Research is another significant element of the course; it will help to open the vistas of some traditional scripts specifically aqlam al-sitta: Thuluth, Naskh, Muhaqqaq, Rehani, Tauqi and Riqqa along with the Persian script Nasta’lique. In particular this research based course work is a combination of Islamic symbolic aesthetics which will indicate that how history is knitted with contemporary Islamic art. Students will be able to • Incorporate the traditional Islamic calligraphy in thematic compositions, • Identify and produce different styles of calligraphy, • Understand calligraphy as a lens through which to observe hand lettering as a fine art, • Critically evaluate, appreciate, assess and respect the art of handwritten letters. • Recognize differences between historical styles of script, with an awareness of the social and historical context in which they were developed. • Address the contemporary issues in modern way.