Karachi — Hast o Neest

ڪراچي

کراچی

Karachi.

“اندک اندک زين جهان هست و نيست
نيستان رفتند و هستان می رسنـــد”

— مولانا جلال‌ الدین محمد رومی -

Andak Andak

Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts - Karachi

Facebook Link Hast-o-Neest Karachi

Hast-o-Neest Karachi.
Hast-o-Neest’s objective is to create an environment of learning with teachers who can transmit traditional knowledge in its authentic form and spirit. Courses are developed by Hast-o-Neest in consultation with teachers, making each course or study-circle a creative exercise which more often than not leads to a continuous process of development for each course as well as further courses, and study-circles.
Hast o Neest aims to engage, research and explore tradition within specified disciplines, serving to invest intellectual, literary, artistic traditions - that tend to be forgotten or marginalized in the modern world.
Hast-o-Neest is organized in five centres of knowledge - Arts, Architecture, Metaphysics & Philosophy, Languages, History & Cultural Studies - فنون - فن تعمیر- فلسفہ و عرفان - السنہ ء شرقیہ- تاریخ و ثقافت
Short Courses - 3 month to one year - are held in the above mentioned subjects, online & in-person. The details of the study programs available in Karachi are listed accordingly in this webpage, and art held at the space Danish-o-Ramish (See Locations)
Lectures, Sittings are regularly held at the Lyceum School (See Locations)
Note. Announcements of sittings, lectures & study circles are posted in the updates group, email list & social media platforms.
Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
Ibn Muqla Centre of the Arts list of Arts Study Programs/Courses for 2025 are:
1. Geometric Design of the Islamic World - Ustad Rizwanullah Khan
  In-person only.
2. Calligraphy - Ustad Amir Asghar
  In-person only
  Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
The Panini Centre of Languages list of offered short courses/study programs for 2025 are:
1. Urdu Poetics & Prosody - Ustad Hijaz Naqvi
  In-Person & online
2. Passion-Centric Life through Wisdom of the Sub-Continent - Ustad Hijaz Naqvi
  In-person & online
3. Farsi Through Urdu - Level 1, 2 & 3 - Ustad Fazel Rizvi
4. Quranic Arabic - Fusha - Level 1, 2 & 3 - Ustad Fazel Rizvi
Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
Ibn Arabi Centre of Philosophy & Metaphysics list of offered courses/study programs for 2025 are:
1. عشقیہ نظریہ حیات برصغیر کی فکری روایت میں | A Love/Passion-Centric Life through Wisdom of the Subcontinent - Part 1 - Syed Hijaz Naqvi
Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
List of Lectures 2025
1. Readings on Rumi - from the Earliest Sources. Dr. Fatima Fayyaz (LUMS), Dr. Noman Baig (Habib University). Taimoor Khan Mumtaz (Hast-o-Neest), Syed Hijaz Naqvi (Danish-o-Ramish) - June 2025
If interested in receiving updates on Hast o Neest Karachi activities, please message the following on hast.o.neest@gmail.com or on 0300 8493170 :
Full name, academic/professional background and preference for email &/or whatsapp group.
Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts Karachi activites are held in two distinct locations, namely:
Study Programs/Courses, Sittings, Lectures are held at Danish-o-Ramish | 6th Floor, 19/1A Shahrah-e-Faisal, Block 6 PECHS, Karachi, 75400
Danish-o-Ramish Location Pin
Lectures (only) are held at The Lyceum School - 78 Hatim Alvi Rd, Block 5 Clifton, Karachi
The Lyceum Location Pin
Hast-o-Neest is grateful to Danish-o-Ramish & The Lyceum for providing their space for Karachi activities.
For any query:
Email: hast.o.neest@gmail.com
Mob: +92 0300 8493170 (Hast o Neest)
Mob: +92 331 3801071 (Danish-o-Ramish)
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.

Sittings, Lectures.

2025.

Arts.

The three month basic program started on 14th June. Applications are open for the next session starting in September 2025.
Geometric Designs of the Islamic World with Rizwanullah Khan (BFA USA · Founder Islamic Arts Program, Department of Visual Studies, University of Karachi)
This beginner course is aimed to introduce foundational principles of symmetrical geometric designs as being used particularly in different forms of art throughout The Islamic World and generally in other traditions.
Course Methodology/Structure/Contributing Fee: There will be one class in a week; three months; in-person & online; Saturdays, 11:30 pm to 1:30 pm; Starting 14th June 2025
Contributing Fee is PKR 6000 per month. Full fee is PKR 18,000/- The method of payment will be provided to enrolled applicants.
In class different designs will be introduced, and students would have to follow that in addition to assignments/mashq which are compulsory for the course.
No mathematics-background required. Applicants should be prepared to work with a compass and ruler.
Course Outline:
1. Introduction to Islamic arts, slideshow & video, how to recognize patterns and grids
2. Drawing horizontal and vertical lines, Circles, triangles and squares. Abul Wafa al Buzjani’s construction of a square. The Six petal and four petal grids
3. The Star of David used to subdivide circle into 12 parts. Four kinds of 12-pointed stars.. The famous ‘arrowhead’ 12 pointed star.
4. The Star of Solomon. The Nafs ur Rajhman pattern, and its variations. The subcontinental four-petal grid, & designs derived therefrom such as the Eight sandals and the Masjid Wazir Khan floor pattren, etc.
5. The five pointed and 10 pt. Stars, the Umm ul Girih [the mother of the knots]. The 3 best ways of constructing 5 geometry: Euclidean, Vesica Pisces and using Protractor. Famous patterns including those from Masjid Wazir Khan, Mamluk Qur’ans, and the al-Mustansaryah Madrasa Baghdad, Fatehpur Sikri etc.
6. .Drawing arches: Mughal arches, Roman and Arabic acrh. Persian arches no 7 & 17 from Hilli’s book. The Horseshoe arch.
7. .Various other geometric figures: 7 & 9 pt starsd. Ovals ellipses and spirals. Using graph paper and isometric grids to construct patterns, including Kufic geometric calligrams.
Required materials/tools
Pencil, Paper, Compasses, Protractor
Books:
سید اکبر حلی، گرہ ہا و قوس ہا در معماری اسلامی، ناشر سید اکبر حلی ، چھاپ خانہ مہر، قُم، ایران ۔ آن لائن دستیاب ہے۔
Topkapi Scrolls, by Prof. Gulru Naqipoglu .توپ کاپی قرطاس، پروفیسر گلرو نجیب اولو، ترکی۔ آن لائن دستیاب ہے۔
[further reading] دیگر مفید کتابیں [مجوّزہ]
اصطلاحاتِ پیشہ وراں، مولوی ظفر الرحمن دھلوی، ۵ جلد، انجمن ترقئ اردو ، کراچی
کتابچہ در ہندسی نقاشی تالیف کردہ استاد تیمور خان ممتاز معمار، انجمنِ معماراں
لاھور
مقالاتِ سلیمان، علامہ سید سلیمان ندوی، ۲ جلد، پاکستان قومی بک فاؤنڈیشن ، اسلام آباد ۱۹۸۹
Daud Sutton, Islamic Design, a genius for Geometry, Wooden Books, UK Reprint.
Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
The program has started and applications are open at any time of the year.
Traditional Calligraphy – Scripts Khat e Riqa, Khat e Naskh & Khat e Nastaleeq with Ustad Amir Asghar (With over 20 years experience, Ustad Amir teaches at TCF, IBA & Karachi University)
This program is an introduction to the world of calligraphy through three traditional scripts, namely, khat e riqa, khat e naskh & khat e nastaliq Irani.
Course Structure/Contributing Fee
It is a three month beginner program ; twice a week on Fridays & Saturdays 6:00 to 8:00 pm; in-person only; starting 14th June, 2025.
Those students of Ustad Amir who have completed the beginner program can also continue their advanced calligraphy journey at the same days & timings.
The contributing fee is PKR 6000/- per month. Full fee for three months is PKR 18,000/- The method of payment will be provided to enrolled applicants.
Enrolled applicants will be provided with the list of materials required.
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.

Languages.

Read Classics in Original Language.

Farsi Through Urdu Level 1 - online only - begins 29th July 2025.
Farsi through Urdu – Level 1, 2 & 3 – with Ustad Fazel Rizvi (With over 15 years of teaching experience, Ustad Fazel teaches at Habib University)
This language program is a comprehensive study of the Farsi language in three levels; the first two levels cover grammar and vocabulary while the third is a classical texts reading exercise. It is taught by Ustad Fazel by his unique method of teaching Farsi - grammar and vocabulary - through Urdu; In addition to teaching the Farsi language the program strengthens Urdu language foundations as well.
Course Methodology/Structure/Contributing Fee:
A course text book will be provided in pdf format.
The first two levels are four month programs, held bi-weekly.
Level 1 is on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Online only.
Contributing Fee: PKR 5000 per month; PKR 20,000/ Full Fee, Level 1. The method of payment will be provided to enrolled applicants.
Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
Farsi Language Beginner Level - 3 Months Program with Ustad Hijaz Naqvi - In-person only at Danish-o-Ramish Karachi.
Once a week on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Starting 6th August 2025. Contributing Fee is PKR 5000 per month; Total Fee is PKR 15,000/- for three months.
Fusha Quranic Arabic - Level 1 - begins 28th July 2025 - online only at Karachi.
Fusha Quranic Arabic – Level 1,2 & 3 – with Ustad Fazel Rizvi (With over 15 years of teaching experience, Ustad Fazel teaches at Habib University)
This language program is a comprehensive study of Classical Quranic Arabic - Fusha in three levels; the first two levels cover grammar and vocabulary while the third is a classical texts reading exercise.
Course Methodology/Structure/Contributing Fee:
A course text book will be provided in pdf format.
The first two levels are four month programs, held bi-weekly.
Level 1 is on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 7:15 to 8:15 pm. Online only.
Contributing Fee: PKR 5000 per month; PKR 20,000/ Full Fee, Level 1. The method of payment will be provided to enrolled applicants.
Important Note. The short course/study programs begin after a minimum of 5 committed applicants are enrolled.
Applications are open. Starting date to be announced as and when number of applications minimum quorum is met.
Ilm e Uruz or Poetics/Prosody in Urdu Literature with Syed Hijaz Naqvi (Poet, Author)
The program is based on the book ‘Urdu Shairi ki Kitab’ by Syed Hijaz Mehdi.
Course Outline: The program covers Wazn, Radeef & Qafiya; the difference between Nazm & Ghazal; how to get your own thoughts in Urdu Poetry; how to recite an Urdu Verse; Classical and Contemporary Urdu Poets and their Poetry.
Course Structure/Contributing Fee.
Three Month Duration: Total Classes: 12; Once a week: Saturdays. 5:00 to 6:00 pm; in-person & online.
The contributing fee is PKR 6000/- per month; Full fee for three months is PKR 18,000/-. The method of payment will be provided to enrolled applicants.
A copy of the book is for PKR 850/-
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.

Philosophy & Metaphysics.

A Love/Passion-Centric Life through Wisdom of the Subcontinent - Part 1 - Hijaz Naqvi (Author, Poet)
Course Methodology/Structure/Contributing Fee:
The program is based on select classical poetry and folklore which will be discussed with the Ustad.
Sessions are once a week on Sundays, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Online & In-person. Starting 14th June, 2025
Contributing Fee: PKR 6000 per month; Full fee for three months is PKR 18,000/. The method of payment will be provided to enrolled applicants.
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.