Calligraphy Artist from Kazan, Najip Naqqash, Holds an Exhibition in Tatarstan, Russia

Inspired by the sacred Koran and the genius of Ğabdulla Tuqay, a classic of the Tatar literature, an exhibition has opened at Almetyevsk picture gallery devoted to the famous Tatar calligrapher Najip Naqqash.

22 years have passed since the artist last visited the city of Almetyevsk, the oil capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, and presented his works to the public for the very first time.

Naqqash opens the exhibition himself. The moment he arrives, the hall is magically transformed into a festive and vibrant place. Dressed in a traditional Tatar costume, with a tyubeteika on his head and a pair of traditional Tatar shoes called ichigo, the master remains true to his style.

Who if not the artist himself can explain best the meaning of his own works. Especially when it comes to tughras, or personal seals, which can be described as modern day logos. Sewn with Arabic symbols, they assume the most intricate shapes, from dragonflies to treble clefs.

Among those lining up to buy Naqqash’s tughras, you can see some prominent figures. One of them is Nail Maganov, General Director of Tatneft. The customized piece is bearing the name of its owner; surrounded by a mahogany frame, it has golden letters on a blue backdrop and a bright scarlet rose as a symbol of a noble heart.

“This flower here symbolizes the nobility and gentleness of his heart,” explains master Naqqash.

When 22 years ago Almetyevsk saw Naqqash’s debut exhibition, the art gallery was located on Prospekt Stroiteley. It all started very casually, with a bus and a simple conversation...

“We both took the same bus... And suddenly there we were, at 35 Prospekt Stroiteley, holding the very first exhibition,” recalls Rosa Minabutdinova, head of Almetyevsk Art Gallery.

Najip Ismagilov, better known as Najip Naqqash, has come a long way from an arts teacher in Usali, his home village, to an independent creator and a renowned master of the Arabic script. From a student of the Moscow State Art and Cultural University to an artist specializing in mosque interior and urban space design. One of his recent works is the painting of a clock face on Baumana Street in the city of Kazan.

Although the majority of his works are religious art, Naqqash does not consider himself a pious person. He views himself as an artist. As a true calligrapher, he deeply respects the scripts of other nations but admits it is already too late for him since one should start as early as in the childhood.

“This is very hard work, so it is better when one begins as a child. If you strive for perfection, you have to start as a child,” shares the master.

His colleagues regard his work with great respect. Not only his creations are admired, his techniques and style are also highly thought of.

To the date, Naqqash has produced over 1,000 tughras. His shamails have been used to decorate mosques all over the Republic of Tatarstan and beyond.

Naqqash’s exhibition at Almetyevsk Art Gallery will be open until mid-August.

Authors: Timur Tumanov, Filyuza Khamidullina

Source: almetievsk-ru.ru