Arabic calligraphy is seeing a revival in the Sultanate of Oman, with growing numbers of enthusiasts and increased activities and exhibitions. Calligrapher Bader al Ghafri, passionate about pen, ink, and Arabic letters since childhood, attributes his development to consistent practice. He advises dedicating half an hour daily to writing practice and stresses the importance of a comfortable pen and lined paper.
Bader explains that a calligrapher’s emotional state and correct posture are crucial for quality work. He also highlights the historical evolution of Arabic scripts like Kufic, Naskh, Thuluth, Ruqah, Diwani, and Persian, with their connected letterforms allowing for diverse geometric shapes. Bader prefers the Naskh script for its beauty and clarity.
Arabic calligraphy has long been used to decorate mosques and manuscripts, especially the Holy Quran, due to Islam’s prohibition of depicting living beings. Bader enjoys writing on wood, appreciating the unique combination of natural colours and Arabic calligraphy, which he finds especially captivating.
Continuous practice is crucial for improving handwriting, according to Bader. He advises, “Allocate at least half an hour daily to practice writing if you want to develop your skill. Utilise free time or boring lectures to practise, as this will greatly enhance your performance. It is essential to compare your writing pieces and identify mistakes after each exercise, which will increase your understanding and knowledge.”
The quality of handwriting is influenced not only by experience but also by the calligrapher’s psychological state. Bader shared, “The calligrapher’s emotions, such as joy, sadness, fear, anger, stability, and turmoil, play an important role in the quality of calligraphy.”
Correct posture is vital for achieving neat and consistent lines. Bader explained, “The calligrapher must sit straight and steady, avoiding twisted legs or placing one leg over the other, and keep the hand and arm relaxed. When writing, ensure that the forearm is stable on the table, allowing only the fingers to move, not the wrist.”
Using the right pen and lined paper is also essential for improving calligraphy skills. Bader noted, “An uncomfortable pen can be annoying, whether it’s too thick or too thin. Writing on lined paper is important when you’re learning to improve your handwriting.”
Historical sources indicate that Arabic calligraphy has developed over long periods. Bader mentioned, “Arabs and Muslims have invented many types of Arabic scripts over time. The most famous include Kufic (the oldest script), Naskh (used in Holy Quran scripts), Thuluth (named for the thickness of the pen used), Ruqah (the most widely used script), and others like Diwani and Persian scripts.”
Despite the diversity of Arabic calligraphy scripts, a common feature is that the letters are generally written connected to each other, allowing them to form various geometric shapes through ebb and flow, rotation, interlocking, overlapping, and composition. Bader uses the Naskh script in his works because “it is distinguished by the beauty of its composition and the clarity of its words.”
The art of calligraphy is closely associated with Arabic decoration, having been used since ancient times to adorn mosques and palaces, as well as in manuscripts and books, especially the Holy Quran. This field has attracted Muslim artists due to Islam’s prohibition of depicting humans and animals, particularly in holy places and the Holy Quran.
Bader has accomplished a lot in Arabic calligraphy, but his favourite projects involve writing on wood. He explained, “It represents a departure from the norm in the material used for writing. The natural colours of wood combined with Arabic calligraphy create an attractive and heartfelt result.”
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