‘Naskh (like Sulus) is a cursive style with roundness in its characters. The script emerged in 310 AH and is still using for copying the Holy Quran. It basically crossed eleven centuries of its development which it took in several regions by different calligraphers.’

‘Sulus is an elegant, cursive script used historically in mosques. Various calligraphic styles evolved from Sulus through slight changes of form.’

TITLE & STRUCTURE:

The Traditional Calligraphy Program of the script (Quranic) Naskh* or the script Sulus (Select one Script) - based on the Urdu alphabet - with Ustad Syed al-Hussaini

*The Khat-e-Nashkh beginner program is a pre-cursor to starting Khat-e-Nastaliq Irani with Ustad Syed al-Hussaini. In other words, calligraphy students can opt to begin Khat-e-Nastaliq Irani after completing the beginner Naskh program or can choose to continue with Khat-e-Naskh at an advanced level.

Beginner - 6 months - Fridays, 5:00 to 7:00 pm; in-person only - Started 29th August 2025; Contributing Fee: PKR 6000 per month.

Applications can be sent anytime of the year.

OUTLINE:

The Beginner Program is for adults who have no/some background in calligraphy. The program covers the practice of mufridat, or single letter (anatomy & formation) of the alphabet.

خط کے بنیادی مفردات اور دستور

The beginner program includes aspects of calligraphy such as:

• Using a Traditional Reed Qalam

• Setting the Paper for Practice

• Types of Ink & preparing the Dawat - Inkpot

• Other Tools of Calligraphy

• Philosophy & background of the Art of Calligraphy in the Islamic World

ABOUT CALLIGRAPHY:

‘From the 700s, the Koran had been copied only in the kufic, a formal, rectilinear script associated with the city of Kufa in southern Iraq. By the 900s, however, a series of flowing curvilinear scripts (including Naskh) evolved that came to surpass kufic in religious, government, and private use.’

ABOUT THE USTAD:

Ustad Syed al-Hussaini’s approach to teaching is a philosophical-intellectual based traditional method with a daily practice, mashq discipline.

Ustad Sajid Abbas Naqvi ‘Syed al-Hussaini’ has an Ijazah in Khat-e-Nastaliq from Ustad Irfan Ahmed Khan (President Calligraph-Artists’ Guild Pakistan). Sajid Abbas has also studied under Iranian master-calligrapher Ustad Nasir Jawaharpur a former office-bearer of the Anjman-e-Khushnawisan-e-Iran.

Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.

Introduction to Chinese Brush Writing - Level- 1 with Dr. Qaiser Shahzad (Assoc. Prof., IIUI)

Objectives:

       I.            To Understand:

1.     essential primary facts and details about Chinese language

2.     origin, history, underlying philosophical and spiritual principles and the cultural significance of Chinese Calligraphy

3.     the Calligrapher-Calligraphy intimate connection

4.     the characteristic feature of major scripts and styles of Chinese Calligraphy

5.     the arts and crafts allied with calligraphy, like painting, seal-cutting and mounting

    II.            To Learn

1.     The brush hold, brush movement techniques, and using inkstick and inkstone.

2.     To write basic strokes constituting the Chinese Characters

3.     to write Chinese characters of cultural and spiritual significance, primarily, in the Regular, Small Seal and Semi cursive scripts

4.     to brush selected characters, shapes and figures in Zen style.

STRUCTURE:

3 hours; fortnightly; 3 Months Beginner; Offline/In Person; Saturdays, 4:00 to 6:00 pm; Contributing Fee is PKR 6000 per month.

Send an application if interested. Program begins with a minimum of five applicants.

Materials:[1]

·        Brush: Wolf Hair (1 medium; 1 large); Goat Hair (1 medium; 1 large)

·        Paper: (News Print/Kite Paper/Old Newspapers+ Xuan Paper with Rice Grid Pattern)

·        Ink: Liquid (Sumi-e/Chinese)- Inkstick + Inkstone

·        Accessories: Ink-dish- Paperweights-Brush Rest-Felt Sheet/Old Newspapers-Water dropper/small container

·        Practice Book (to be provided by H&N)

Pre-Requisites:

·        Nothing special; commitment, resolve and time.

·        Knowledge of Chinese language is NOT required.   

Prospective Benefits

·        Chinese calligraphy is the doorway for the understanding of Chinese (and East Asian) culture and thought. {The pictographic origin and philosophical significance of characters practiced shall be explained. Characters have been carefully selected in view of their gradual complexity, helpfulness in revision and intellectual significance}

·        Can provide great motivation and groundwork for learning Chinese (and Japanese) language. {A bonus feature of this course would be learning how to construct more characters by adding strokes to those learnt here, thus facilitating vocabulary building.}

·        Teaches mental and physical discipline, is helpful in rectifying the posture and is generally very calming and relaxing activity

·        Opens up new vistas of artistic creativity for people interested in other forms of Art and Calligraphy

Week 1

Theory

Practice

Regular

Small Seal Shapes

Characters

1.      Origin &History

2.      Scripts &Styles

3.      Materials

4.      Getting Ready

1.      Holding and loading the Brush

2.      Basic Brush Movements

Tip Techniques: Side/Centre; Concealed/ Exposed; Pressing-Lifting

上 下

Above; Below;

川

River

[1] Suggestion: For the first month brushes, liquid ink and practice papers can be provided by me (if the student are between 5-10, meanwhile the learners can order/ purchase the materials for themselves.

Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.

TITLE & STRUCTURE:

Traditional Persian Mughal Miniature Painting - Riwayati Mussavari Program with Sana Nizami

Beginner - 6 months - Once a week on Saturdays, 5:00 to 6:30 pm; in-person only - Started 30th August 2025; Contributing Fee: PKR 6000 per month.

(Application is open throughout the year).

OUTLINE:

The Beginner Program is for adults who have no/some background in traditional painting. The program covers the following:

Beginner | Pencil, Line, Tone, Texture with one complete composition in pencil; 3 Months

Beginner-2 | Two paintings on wasli, siah qalam & neem rung technique; 3 Months

ABOUT MUSSAVARI

‘In the royal House of Books (Ketabkhana), which housed the library as well as being the place where manuscripts were created, artists were directed by two Iranian masters formerly in the service of his father, to produce a new style of book painting. Many of the calligraphers, bookbinders and illuminators who worked with them were also Iranian.’

About the Teacher

Sana Nizami is a NCA Fine Arts Graduate. She learnt miniature painting from Fyza Noon at Hast-o-Neest Lahore.

Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.

To  Apply for any Study Program: Send in Course Title (City), Applicant Name, Academic Background, Email Address & Whatsapp number on hast.o.neest@gmail.com or on 03008493170 with a short paragraph on the reason for applying.