J&K revives it's dying art of Calligraphy in the valley

Srinagar, Jan 1: In order to revive the dying art of Calligraphy, the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation had organized a three day long workshop about basic Calligraphy, followed by an exhibition on Dec 31. Srinagar Assistant Commissioner, Harvinder Singh has shared that the event was an outreach program meant to support and nurture the art entrepreneurs of Srinagar.

 

The Assistant Commissioner said that it is a public outreach program in Srinagar and the intention behind the initiative was to attract the young generation to the art form. He said that there is a lot of potential and talent in the valley but due to multiple reasons they lack in getting a deserving platform. About the response, Singh added that the administration received unexpected response for the event and that the overwhelming reaction motivated the administration to further organize more of such similar events in future.

 

The event was a coordinated result between the administration and certain young artists from the valley. One of the artists who collaborated for the event with the administration was Safia, who was the calligraphy instructor during the workshop. Safia is a freelance calligraphy artist and practices modern and abstract calligraphy. She said, more such programs need to be organized in the region to support local talent.

 

Safia said, "Today (Dec 31) we conducted a workshop which will be followed by an exhibition. The art pieces made by the students today will be displayed in the exhibition. We are imparting training and encouraging them to bring innovation in their work. We need more such events in the valley."

 

Another instructor at the workshop, Nadia, said that such events contribute significantly in reviving the dying arts. She said, "Not many such events are organized here. This workshop will encourage new talents to emerge in this field. It will also help in reviving the art. With events like this more people, get to know about it and it gets much-needed attention. The art needs immense skill."