World renowned painter to share calligraphy tips with Omani students

Muscat: Time is ripe to start full-fledged faculty of fine arts at a higher educational institute in Oman, according to Maryam Al Zadjali, Director of the Omani Centre for Fine Arts Tuesday.

"We have a large number of young Omanis keen to pursue art, including calligraphy but we don't have faculty at any university in Oman," she lamented during a media interaction held at the Indian Embassy to announce world-renowned MF Hussain's calligraphy exhibition as well as a workshop.

She expects around 150 young Omanis to attend a workshop on calligraphy at the Omani Society for Fine Arts.

London-based Egyptian Dr Ahmed Moustafa will be on the panel with M.F. Hussain and shed light on calligraphy for the Omani students as well as artists during the workshop.

Hussain, an India-born naturalised Qatari, will also hold a live painting demonstration for select invitees. "The painting will be then auctioned," Indian Ambassador to Oman, Anil Wadhwa, revealed.

Mahesh Verma of Trinity Investment Partners are bringing the show with UAE-based Blue Mosaic. He said that part of the proceeds from the auction would be given for the Indian School Jalan for completing their building.

The workshop on calligraphy is part of the two-day event with the in-exile Indian painter, who was once described as Picasso of India by Forbes magazine. The event it is managed by NPA Events.

"We will have exhibition of 24 paintings," said the painter's son Owais Hussain, who will also exhibit 12 of his own work at the exhibition to be held on March 11 at the Indian Embassy.

"On March 12, the exhibition of will be open for public from 9am to 5pm," Ashok Suvarna of NPA Events said.