Kamrun Nahar Asha’s ‘Calligraphy’s Pothchola O Onkonshoili’ intrigues

Calligraphy is a visual art related to writing. It is the design and execution of lettering with a broad-tipped writing instrument. Generally, calligraphy is the art of giving a form to signs in an expressive, harmonious, and skillful manner.

Calligraphy is a rich form of art in many parts of the world, yet there is not enough books in Bengali about calligraphy. Kamrun Nahar Asha is the first Bangladeshi woman to write a book on calligraphy. Asha's Calligraphyr Pothchola O Onkonshoili, is published by Abir Prokashoni in this year's Ekushey Boi Mela.

A practical instrument used to record literature at first, calligraphy soon established itself as an enriched visual art form that Quran scholars used to express themselves and the environment around them. Over the years, in various regions of the Islamic world, calligraphy blossomed into an art form with various styles. "As a Muslim majority nation, we are failing to evaluate and appreciate this form of art, as there is no valuable research about calligraphy in our curriculum," shares the author. "To practice calligraphy, it is necessary to learn the history and understand the different techniques and styles. I always felt a liability to share my knowledge about this art and so I was inspired to write this book."

The book is divided into two parts- the first part exploring the history of calligraphy and the second part detailing on how to practice calligraphy and the tools and techniques. The book includes the history of Quran, Arabic language, Arabic writing techniques, famous calligraphers of the world, notable calligraphers of Bangladesh and many more.

The book is available at pavilion 311 in Dhaka and pavilion 187-188 in Chattogram at BDT 210 after discount.