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A script so beautiful :: By Shahina Shafee Gulf News 24th October 2001

Calligrapher does portrait using Arabic alphabets in name

Khalilullah Chemnad is well known in literary circles, however few are aware that he is a talented calligrapher, too. His Arabic calligraphy works are not much known to a lot of people but he has made a place for himself in the calligrapher's world with his work.

When many wonder how he can write a language such as Arabic so beautifully, Khalilullah has the answer: "My father was a journalist and I grew up in the midst of magazines and newspapers," says Khalilullah when asked how he could write in Arabic so beautifully. "On his table, I often found Arabic newspapers and magazines. I would go through them, fascinated by the script and then would try to write them."

The Arabic script writing led him to explore the unlimited possibilities of these alphabets which in turn developed into creating intricate art forms. Almost all established calligraphers do designs representing the verses from the Holy Quran and depict these "figural images to convey the core convictions".

Apart from verses from the Holy Quran, Khalilullah's exclusive style is to do portraits using the alphabets. He is able to illustrate a person using the Arabic alphabets in his name. What this artist does is to make the portrait by the harmonious balancing of letters.

Even though it is a difficult task, the end result is a wonderful portrait. He has made portraits of many Sheikhs of the UAE using the alphabets in their name, but he regards the portrait of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as his masterpiece.

Khalilullah's works have been exhibited many times in India and the UAE. During the Dubai Shopping Festivals, Khalilullah's calligraphic works have been a big attraction.

His illustrations have been included in a Kuala Lumpur-based Islamic Book Trust's annual exhibition in 1988. Khalilullah is now exploring new vistas in advertising and designing.

P.O. Box 95934, Tel: 04-2727137, Fax: 04-2735277, Mobile: 050 - 18 72 775, E-mail: kchemnad@gmail.com