Muhammad Sher Ali Khan

Calligraphy Education in Pakistan: Atelier versus Academia

Abstract:

Islamic calligraphy, essentially a literary and artistic expression of the Arabic script, travelled along with the Islamic faith to different parts of the world. It has been rooted in the Indian Subcontinent through Arab countries and Iran, and flourished in the region; particularly, under the royal and affluent patrons. Besides severing as court scribe, some calligraphers were appointed to teach calligraphy to the royalties and courtiers in imperial ateliers and libraries. Both in patronage and practice, calligraphy witnessed its zenith in the Mughal dynasty. During the Colonial period, royal patronage faded except some rulers of independent states. In Pakistan, the tradition of learning calligraphy was then held in private ateliers, mosques and madrassas. Scribes in printing presses and signboard painters also assisted in learning and practicing calligraphy. Ironically, art academies shelved traditional arts and crafts. However, since 1960s, these entered into the national curriculum, and then; since 2000s, became part of the degree programme in higher education. Although the inclusion of calligraphy in art syllabi remained a failed promise in academia; however, academies along with art councils and galleries in the country accelerated the fervency of calligraphy by holding exhibitions, seminars and workshops. With these activities, not only new and creative styles were developed but a new art form, calligraph-art, also emerged. Yet, it is hard to deny that best calligraphers who excelled in traditional calligraphy were initially trained in family circles or casual ateliers. This paper aims to appraise the formal and informal approaches of calligraphy education in Pakistan.

Keywords: Calligraphy Education, Calligraphy ateliers and apprenticeship, Islamic Calligraphy in Pakistan

Resume:

  • Nationality                      Pakistani
  • E-mail                            sheralikhan@uop.edu.pk

Education

  • Ph D. Gandhara Art, University of Peshawar
  • ۲۰۰۰: Master of Fine Arts (MFA), University of Peshawar
  • ۱۹۹۹: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), University of Peshawar

Experience

  • ۲۰۱۹ – till date: Organizer, Creative Arts Society, University of Peshawar
  • ۲۰۰۶ – till date: Assistant Prof., Communication Design, Department of Art & Design, University of Peshawar
  • ۲۰۱۲ – till date:Staff Proctor, University of Peshawar
  • ۲۰۱۲ – ۲۰۱۶: Resident Warden, Khushal Khan Khattak Hostel No. 1, University of Peshawar
  • ۲۰۰۷ – ۲۰۰۹: Resident Warden, New Hostel Block-B, University of Peshawar
  • ۲۰۰۵ – ۲۰۰۶: Lecturer, Communication Design, University of AJ&K, Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Subjects teaching

  • Visual Communication Design, Drawing, Muslim Architecture, Research Methodology

Research Interest

  • Buddhist Narrative Art, Visual Story-telling, Indigenous Arts and Crafts

Publications (Peer-reviewed)

  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2009). “A Journey of Stitches from Tradition to the Heritage: Swati Embroidery“, Ancient Pakistan (ISSN 0066-1600), Research Journal Department of Archaeology, University of Peshawar, Vol. XX, pp. 103-109.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2010). “Symbolism in the Official Court Robes of Ch’ing Dynasty (1644-1911)”, Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS) (ISSN 1024-0829), University of Peshawar, Vol. XVIII, No.1, pp. 89-101.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2013, June 6). “The Changing Perspective of Art Education in Pakistan”, paper read in the International Conference on the Role of Academic Staff Associations in the Promotion of Higher Education, held in Bara Gali Summer Campus, Peshawar University, organized by PUTA (6-8 June, 2013).
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2013). “Alternative Paradigm of Research in the Creative Arts and Design”, PUTAJ (ISSN 2219-245X), Research Journal of the Peshawar University Teachers’ Association (PUTA), University of Peshawar, Vol. 20, Golden Jubilee Number, pp. 357-69.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2013) “Ghani Khan: The Poet-painter (1914-1996)“, Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (JHSS) (ISSN 1024-0829), University of Peshawar, Vol. XXI, No.2, pp. 63-72.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2015) “The Choice of Characters in Buddha’s Life Story – Traits and Imagery“, Ancient Pakistan (ISSN 0066-1600), Research Journal Department of Archaeology, University of Peshawar, Vol. XX, pp. 119-29.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2017) “The Tradition of Buddhist Narration Illustration in the Swat Valley”, Ancient Pakistan (ISSN 0066-1600), Research Journal Department of Archaeology, University of Peshawar, Vol. XXVIII, pp. 119-29.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2020). “The Semiotic of Political Party Flags of Pakistan”, PUTAJ (ISSN 2219-245X), Research Journal of the Peshawar University Teachers’ Association (PUTA), University of Peshawar.
  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2008, March 17). “Painting the Poet“, Daily the News International (Pakistan) March 17, 2008.

Conference Papers

  • M. Sher Ali Khan, (2013, June 6). “The Changing Perspective of Art Education in Pakistan”, paper read in the International Conference on the Role of Academic Staff Associations in the Promotion of Higher Education, held in Bara Gali Summer Campus, Peshawar University, organized by PUTA (6-8 June, 2013).
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