Calligraphy is a very important art for Islam. People who emphasize that the result of patience is beauty and who have mastered this art, which is beautiful in what is written, are called calligraphers. The dictionary meaning of calligrapher in Turkish is “a person who writes and teaches Islamic writing for artistic purposes”. Calligrapher is the title given to a person who practices the traditional art of calligraphy that has survived from ancient times to the present. Calligraphy, a type of beautiful writing art, has been written using various writing techniques together with the Arabic alphabet. With the spread of Islam in Turkish lands from the past to the present, the most beautiful calligraphy works have emerged from the hands of Turkish artists. Just as calligraphy is often confused with calligraphy, a fine writing art, people do not have enough information about calligraphers. In this article, we will give you a close look at the world of calligraphers who perform the art of calligraphy in the best way with their patience, talent and skill. Let’s try to shed light on questions such as what is a calligrapher? How does one become a calligrapher? What are the conditions for becoming a calligrapher? What does a calligrapher do?
Who is a Calligrapher? What does he do?
Many people do not know that people who practice the art of calligraphy are called calligraphers and are surprised when they learn. The first question that comes to people’s minds when a calligrapher is mentioned is of course “what does a calligrapher do?” The question is. In short, a calligrapher is the name given to artists who write Islamic verses and hadiths in an aesthetic way, usually on paper, using the Arabic alphabet, using materials such as reed and pen. Calligraphy is the art of patience and beauty, and therefore a calligrapher is known for his superior patience and talent. The perspective that beautiful writing and those who write beautiful writing are praiseworthy, as expressed in verses and hadiths, prevails in the beginning and the determination of calligraphers to advance in this profession.
The writings written by calligraphers first of all present a very aesthetic and stylish appearance. However, these writings are not only beautiful in terms of appearance, both what is written and what is written is beautiful. Thus, they produce works for both individual and institutional use. It is possible to say that the work of calligraphers is widely evaluated in many different areas today.
How to Become a Calligrapher?
Calligraphy education, one of the traditional Turkish arts, is in a serious discipline. Calligraphy education has been carried out in the form of a master-apprentice relationship from the past to the present. This art, which requires long years of training, is not a type that can be learned alone. Calligraphy, which generally begins at a young age, is practiced in official institutions, madrasahs, private educational institutions or mansions. Calligraphers who provide training on certain days of the week receive daily or monthly payments. It has been recorded that some great calligraphers chose one or two students who had the talent and desire for this job and gave them special training, trained them without charging any fee, and saw this as “giving the zakat of art”.
If a person wants to become a calligrapher, they need to receive training in the art of calligraphy. Especially in this art, the use of a pen is of great importance, because calligraphy consists of beautiful writings. Experts and masters who are experienced in the field teach all the subtleties of calligraphy. Although the person receives the title of calligrapher when the training is completed, calligraphy training is a lifelong learning and self-development process.
What are the Conditions for Becoming a Calligrapher?
As in every art and craft, there are certain conditions for becoming a calligrapher. The most important of these is of course receiving training in this job. However, it is not possible to become a calligrapher by just receiving training. In order to become a calligrapher, it is also necessary to have many qualifications, talents and skills individually.
If we list the most important conditions for becoming a calligrapher; Being closely interested in calligraphy, being talented and enthusiastic about calligraphy, putting aside arrogance, being patient and determined, continuing to write continuously, using the right materials, and being able to understand the logic of the master-apprentice relationship. Apart from these, calligraphy is a suitable art for people with aesthetic concerns, and it is important for people who will be interested in calligraphy to have a high sense of aesthetics.
What are the Difficulties of Calligraphy?
As in every profession, calligraphy also has certain difficulties. However, those who will start calligraphy and are determined to become calligraphers do not see it as just a profession. If we talk about the disadvantages of this profession for calligraphers; They can only work in the private sector, and insurance conditions are not developed in many workplaces. The lack of employment opportunities in the state restricts calligraphers’ work areas considerably. They generally do not have a regular income. The earnings of a person who is not sufficiently known in calligraphy can be quite low.
Calligraphy as a Hobby
Those who want to practice the art of calligraphy, which has a history dating back to very old times, went through a very difficult and patient training at that time.
Calligraphers also engage in many sports to support the strengthening of their hands and fingers. For example, it is known that many famous calligraphers of that time were also master archers, and that these two institutions often worked together.
It is definitely necessary to have a certain talent to become a calligrapher, but talent is not everything. In order to truly learn the art of calligraphy and be known as a calligrapher, it is also necessary to receive some training and gain experience accordingly. In this direction, many people today want to engage in calligraphy and become calligraphers. However, the very limited job opportunities force this art form to remain more of a hobby.
