An exhibition of rare Quranic manuscripts held in J-K

Srinagar, Sept 26 : Coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, an exhibition of rare Quranic manuscripts written by legendary calligraphers was held in Jammu and Kashmir.

On display at the exhibition were 35 rare hand written Quranic manuscripts and nearly two dozens printed copies of Holy Quran.

Some of the main attractions of the exhibition included oldest manuscript of Quran in Kashmir calligraphed by Fateh-ullah, a Kashmiri in 1237 AD and a Persian manuscript calligraphed with nail of the thumb, an art form popularly known as Khat-e-Nakhun.

'Khat-e-Nakhun' manuscript is marvel of calligraphy. The margin of the manuscript is decorated with illustrations of men, birds, animals and beasts. The calligrapher used to calligraphy with nail of his finger and surprisingly in reverse.

"The Quran on display here which is leather bound is a very special thing in Kashmir. Also displayed was Khat-e-Nakhun which means calligrapher has used the nail of his finger to write and can be read on the other side. It is to be found only in Kashmir," said Omer Iqbal, a resident.

The other notable specimen of calligraphy exhibited includes Quranic manuscript by Usman Qadri, renowned calligrapher of South Asia.

Manuscript of the Holy book that attracted most of the visitors' attention is the manuscript written in 1594 A.D with an ink blending gold with saffron. This is the only manuscript in the world calligraphed in saffron ink.

Gulam Hassan Gamgeen, a poet, said, "It is an interesting thing and the youths staying here came to know more about the rare Quranic manuscripts which are centuries old," said Gulam Hassan.

The walls of exhibition hall were also adorned by reproduction of some of the works of world-renowned Pakistani artist, Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, best known for his skills as a calligrapher and a painter, and several other calligraphists.

The two-day exhibition was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. By Parvez Butt

ANI