Rampur Raza Library
Rampur: As a part of the ongoing Festival of India in Mauritius, the High Commission of India, in association with the Islamic Cultural Centre, Port Louis, has organised an exhibition of 50 works of Islamic calligraphy from the collection of the Rampur Raza Library from November 18-23.
Maulana Irshad Nadwi, who curated this exhibition, told TOI, "Islamic calligraphy is not just text, it is also art. The design and execution of this collection is a broad-tip brush, done in one neat stroke. This form of art is venerated, for it is all about art, language and religion."
Nadwi explained that the Holy Quran has played a great role in the development and evolution of Arabic, and by extension, the calligraphy in the Arabic alphabet. He said what was on display were mainly proverbs and passages from the Quran that serve as inspiration to adherents to the faith.
Naved Qaisar, Islamic scholar at Raza Library, said, "The Rampur Raza Library is an unparalleled repository of manuscripts by celebrated master calligraphers from Central Asia, Persia and India like Mir Ali, Muhammad Hussain Kashmiri, Zarrin Raqan, Sultan Ali Mashadi, Abdul Rasheed and Muhammad Amin Samarqandi." Naved said the library had decided to promote the celebrated calligraphic works in its collection by getting it to travel to other countries through the High Commission.
Vice prime minister of Mauritius, who also serves as minister of housing, Showkutally Soodhun, was the chief guest at the opening of this exhibition in Port Louis.
During a recent trip to Mongolia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the conservation effort at this library. He had also gifted a copy of the 13th century manuscript, "Jamiut Tawarikh", the first tract of Mongolian history recorded in Persian, to Mongolian president Taskhiagiin Elbegdorj.
Raza Library was established in 1774 by Nawab Faizullah Khan, who ruled Rampur. The nawab drew on his own collection of manuscripts to set up the library, which grew to become an established institution by the time Nawab Raza Ali Khan ascended the throne in 1930. Nawab Raza Khan had a great interest in music and he bought many rare music manuscripts for the library.
Besides a unique collection of manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Pushto, Urdu and Turkish, the library also houses some rare Sanskrit and Tamil manuscripts. There are also centuries-old astronomical instruments and nearly 1,500 rare gold, silver and copper coins dating from 5th century BC to 19th century AD.
Maulana Irshad Nadwi, who curated this exhibition, told TOI, "Islamic calligraphy is not just text, it is also art. The design and execution of this collection is a broad-tip brush, done in one neat stroke. This form of art is venerated, for it is all about art, language and religion."
Nadwi explained that the Holy Quran has played a great role in the development and evolution of Arabic, and by extension, the calligraphy in the Arabic alphabet. He said what was on display were mainly proverbs and passages from the Quran that serve as inspiration to adherents to the faith.
Naved Qaisar, Islamic scholar at Raza Library, said, "The Rampur Raza Library is an unparalleled repository of manuscripts by celebrated master calligraphers from Central Asia, Persia and India like Mir Ali, Muhammad Hussain Kashmiri, Zarrin Raqan, Sultan Ali Mashadi, Abdul Rasheed and Muhammad Amin Samarqandi." Naved said the library had decided to promote the celebrated calligraphic works in its collection by getting it to travel to other countries through the High Commission.
Vice prime minister of Mauritius, who also serves as minister of housing, Showkutally Soodhun, was the chief guest at the opening of this exhibition in Port Louis.
During a recent trip to Mongolia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised the conservation effort at this library. He had also gifted a copy of the 13th century manuscript, "Jamiut Tawarikh", the first tract of Mongolian history recorded in Persian, to Mongolian president Taskhiagiin Elbegdorj.
Raza Library was established in 1774 by Nawab Faizullah Khan, who ruled Rampur. The nawab drew on his own collection of manuscripts to set up the library, which grew to become an established institution by the time Nawab Raza Ali Khan ascended the throne in 1930. Nawab Raza Khan had a great interest in music and he bought many rare music manuscripts for the library.
Besides a unique collection of manuscripts in Arabic, Persian, Pushto, Urdu and Turkish, the library also houses some rare Sanskrit and Tamil manuscripts. There are also centuries-old astronomical instruments and nearly 1,500 rare gold, silver and copper coins dating from 5th century BC to 19th century AD.
Comment Form is loading comments...
Post a Comment
0Comments