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History in the Making
DUBAI — Dubai’s fascination with all things biggest, tallest, fastest and craziest continues as a UAE-based Indian calligrapher is on his way to create the world’s largest calligraphic portrait of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The world’s first and only Arabic anatomic calligrapher, Khaleelullah Chemnad, innovated the style 17 years ago when he first drew a portrait of late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, instantly drawing plaudits from his friends and art lovers.
If successful in his attempt, the affable artist from Kerala will make his way into the Guinness Book of Records, beating Israeli calligrapher Avraham-Hesh Borshevsky, who currently holds the record of the biggest calligraphic work.
Avraham’s Jewish Scribal artwork measures 94cm in length and 76cm in width, with the total container measuring 110cm. While Chemnad’s work, when finished, would be 300cm long and 325cm wide.
Chemnad’s gigantic work began five days ago at the Dubai Shopping Festival’s Al Seef Art area and will be complete in the next few days. But the artist will have to wait for a few more days to get an official stamp on his feat from the Guinness office.
“Ever since I did my first portrait, it has been my dream to do the world’s largest calligraphic portrait of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed and present it to him. Now, with the support of DSF, I am getting close to realising this dream,” said the elated calligrapher in an chat with Khaleej Times.
A born artist, Chemnad has no academic art background. It rather came naturally to him. “I fell in love with Arabic letters at a very tender age. I first saw calligraphic works in some of the books my father used to procure when I was about nine or ten and instantly knew I was in love,” added the artist, sharing his love at first sight experience.
Anatomic calligraphy is a style in which a portrait of a person is drawn using the person’s name in Arabic. As a pioneer of this new form of art, Chemnad is going places.
“European Universities and art institutions have recognised my contribution, art lovers from all over the world are showing interest in anatomic calligraphy,” says the beaming artist.
Apart from trailblazing his way with calligraphic portraits of important personalities and celebrities like His Highness Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and Oscar-winning Indian composer AR Rahman, Chemnad has acquired wide recognition for his conventional works of art as well. Khaleelullah Chemnad’s works are on display at DSF’s artists’ area in Al Seef. For more information visit www.worldofcalligraphy.com
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