TBI Blogs: Meet Two Delhi Artists Trying to Keep the Ancient Art Form of Calligraphy Alive and Relevant

What began in the time of kings as a necessary means of documentation, and a sign of beauty, is now only limited to the last remaining calligraphy artists in Delhi who are trying to keep this art alive.

Our quest to find #DelhiHeroes in calligraphy led us to meet two of the most skilled practitioners in our city. Pictorial calligraphers Qamar Dagar and Katib Mohammad Ghalib, both with over 30 years of experience, have striven against changing markets and modern alternatives to preserve this traditional art form.

Qamar is the only female calligraphy artist to combine Devanagari and Urdu scripts to illustrate beautiful pictorial calligraphy. Mohammad Ghalib is one of the last remaining katibs from Urdu Bazaar near Jama Masjid. He takes immense pride in carrying the baton of this dying skill.

Let’s find ways to save and carry this tradition forward. Visit these calligraphers, collaborate, co-create, and facilitate a contemporary digital avatar to help revive this beautiful tradition.

Featured Image: Source

Watch other #DelhiHeroes in action here, and learn more about the “Delhi, I Love You” movement here.

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