Telangana: Efforts on to breathe life into vanishing art of calligraphy

Hyderabad: The dying art 'calligraphy' known for producing beautiful patterns through alphabets, which is facing onslaught of the digital age would be witnessing its revival in one of the city-based universities. Following the initiative by TS Urdu Academy, the 'Academic Council' of Dr B R Ambedkar University after due consultation would be taking a call in the coming days for collaboration of 6-month diploma.

According to TS Urdu Academy, the consultations are going on for implementation and designing of the calligraphy course, besides another diploma course, Translation (Urdu-Telugu & Urdu-English). "Given the importance of the art, which is self-financing course it would be structured to offer course at nominal fees. We are in hope of generating resources and optimistic of that the university authorities about the proposal," said Moulana Mohammed Raheemuddin Ansari, Academy's chairman.

Till now this kind of courses were only available at centres of National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), which has around 70 centres across India. They offer a two-year diploma course in calligraphy and Graphic Design.

The calligraphy experts have welcomed the development citing that the art form lived and prospered in India, particularly in Hyderabad-Deccan for many centuries and have been part of the local culture and traditions. "We hope that now the university-level students would also learn this," Mohammad Abdul Gaffar, centre in-charge & master calligrapher of Idara-e-Adabiyat-e-Urdu

Given the existing scenario owing to Covid-19 pandemic, the Urdu Academy which is readying faculty including five to six professors is pondering over delivering the subject to the students. "If everything goes in right direction 'n' number of students can benefit with the course. After syllabus of the course is finalised, given the prevailing situation we have to also ponder over distribution of books, if hard copies or digital (PDF) format," said, Dr Md Ghouse, Director of the Academy.

Earlier in 2019 February the interest among the students was gauged by another institution. The calligraphy competitions were organised at Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute in Public Garden for the first time and received overwhelming response.

The students not only from different branches of the City Telangana Minority Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS), but also students from other private schools and seminaries took part. Some 20 calligraphy enthusiasts including students, Unani and Physiotherapy practitioners who were awaiting an opportunity to present their art also made their best efforts.