Karachi:during dacred nights of Ramzan a calligraphy show was organised by Mehreen Ilahi at her gallery Majmua. The emerging artists that parti ipated were: Erum Hameed, Iffah Sheikh, Syed Ali Shah, Huma Tajdar, Zahir Shah, Umaima Masood and Fatima Arzoo Hassan . The show will continue till April 10th 2025.
The script seen mainly in the paintings was Nastaleeq or modern and contemperorary. The artists chose verses from the Quran.
Iffah Sheikh had created small canvasses with Bismillah arRehman ar Raheem. They were quaint and would make excellent gifts.
Umaima Masood painted two whirling dervishes in burnt orange , blue and red gold creating a scene of sama with their hands uplifted in the air. Her calligraphy was specific verses from the quran.These were larger canvasses. Her colour palette was eye catching and one painting was in Nastaleeq style of writing while the other was kufic. Sun is seen as a symbol in both the painting. Her compositions showed balance and harmony.
Erum Hameeds canvases were a beautiful.emerald green. The calligraphy here was modern in style , quite interesting.Her canvasses were in.large sizes. The spatial background was interupptedwith bold white and black writing. There were splashes of colour in different hues.
Zahir shah s painting was golden with a clasdical black script.
Syed Ali shah also chose small canvases and painted Allah in kaleji pink and white. They were quite nice.
Fatima Arzoo Hassans canvas was an abstract calligraphy statement and it was quite outstanding in turqoise blue colour and white calligraphy. The background was textured and the interplay of dark and light colours gave the painting a dramatic presence.
Huma Tajdar introdiced a marbling effect on her canvasses before writing the script in black. Her canvas gave a feel of richness.
The Iftar hosted by Mehreen Ilahi was all special home madeitems such as delicious fruit chaat, aloo chana chaat , spinach and eggplant sizzling pakoras. Along with jalebis and aloo kachori and Dahi baray . They were finished very soon . Special lassi and Rooh Afza quenched the thirst of the guests visiting and the rozaydars. The fabulous art work and qasida Burda Sharif created a unique ambiance and enviroment, fit
for meditation. The visitors feasted their eyes with the artworks and interacted with each other..
