مجلة الدراسات المستدامة joss
The Impact of Arabic on Urdu Calligraphy
Dr. Meraj Ahmad Meraj
Assistant Professor
Department of Arabic, Aliah University, Kolkata
Abstract:
Every language has unique writing rules, which are followed by experienced users and recognition engines. Languages which are written from right to left like Arabic, Persian and Urdu have a lot of variations due to fonts and writing style. Arabic script has significant value because it includes a message which is meaningful to the artist. Arabic calligraphy expresses the pure beauty that is full moral integrity, value and ethics. Arabic calligraphy found its way into popular culture and calligraphers increasingly turned to Urdu Language. Arabic language and culture have great influence on Urdu calligraphy. There are different Arabic calligraphic styles having impact on different level of Urdu calligraphy. The most common styles in Urdu language are Nasakh and Nastalique. The relationships of the Nastalique script particularly to the Urdu languages are akin to the bonds between the text and the image. These relationships started after the advent of Islam in India. The Nastalique, due to its relations with Arabic, found its way into the more popular arenas and calligraphers used Urdu newspapers and printing-presses to mass produce their visual culture. The present study aims to analyze the impact of Arabic language and culture on Urdu calligraphy.
Key Words: Arabic language, Calligraphy, Islamic Art, Urdu Culture, Nasakh, Nastalique