An Enigmatic Artisan
IRSHAD HUSSAIN FAROOQI

A self taught, self disciplined and self dependent practitioner of the rarest crafts in India, artist Irshad Farooqi is arguably the one and only calligrapher in India who produces Islamic Calligraphy on Wood. Pertaining to a family background of Hakeems (Unani Medicine Practitioners) and renowned Sufi Saints, unlikely Irshad Farooqi was never destined to become a Calligrapher. Born in Sikar, Rajasthan Irshad Farooqi belongs to the dynasty of ‘Sultanut-tarikeen Sufi Hameeduddeen Nagauri Farooqi(R.A.)’ (second khalifa of khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Ajmeri(R.A.)). During his childhood days Irshad Farooqi always saw one of his relatives – ‘Mastan Baba’ writing calligraphy. He was so brilliant with his work that made not only Irshad Farooqi awe inspired but also the on-lookers who stood by to witness an expeditious calligraphic writing displayed by ‘Mastan Baba’. This was his first input which he received and immediately made him fall in love with the art form.                                       ...more