Srinagar: The 8-day long Calligraphy Workshop – Khush Khat – organized jointly by Department of tourism Kashmir in collaboration with J&K Academy of Culture, Art and Languages and INTACH’s J&K Chapter concluded here at Islamic Center Jamia Masjid in which hundreds of the artists, students and local residents participated.
On the concluding ceremony today, the artists were given awards and the students who attended the workshop were also given certificates.
The event known as Khush Khat- a celebration of Islamic Calligraphy in Kashmir – was inaugurated on July 17 attracting around 4000 visitors during till July 24.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah while expressing happiness over its successful conclusion said it was only the beginning of promotion of old city as a heritage city.
He said the department would organize more such events in the future to promote the heritage potential of the old city.
“The huge response to this event reflects the commitment and love of the people towards the art. It was a good beginning which means we have to do more work to promote the heritage potential of this old city. We will now organize the photography workshop in which the selected photographs of the old city depicting its heritage, culture, art, craft and people would be highlighted. Another event projecting artifacts and coins will also be held at this center,” said Shah at the concluding ceremony.
He said during the 8-day long workshop, the department organized live demonstration of the Islamic Calligraphic works of noted artists and students.
Director tourism Kashmir said the department constructed the information center Rs 1.02 crores as part of the GoI’s project to beautify the Jamia Masjid premises including developing its market, improving lightening at Rs 4.29 crore.
The information center would be help visitors get all the information of the old city under one roof.
“We have rich heritage, culture, art and craft in this area of downtown. We want to preserve and promote it. This weeklong calligraphy event is one of its components which will help us revive and reclaim our ancestral calligraphic art,” said Mahmood Shah.
The students from different schools of the downtown Srinagar, artists from Cultural Academy and other artists had put on display their calligraphic works in Arabic, Persian and Kashmiri language.
Some of the students of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Srinagar have put the calligraphic works through art and design beautifully on canvas painting.
Secretary of J&K Academy of Culture, Art and Languages Dr. Aziz Hajini and INTACH’s convener for the state Saleem Beg also spoke on the occasion and the students, artists and locals for their overwhelming response. (KNS)
