A fatwa that saved the art of Anil Chauhan

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Anil Chauhan busy with his art
Anil Chauhan busy with his art

 

Sheikh Muhammad Yunus/Hyderabad

A fatwa issued to a non-Muslim artist from Hyderabad gave new life to his art of calligraphy After some people had raised an objection to a Hindu artist painting Quranic verses on the walls and entrances of various mosques and madrasa in the city, the leading Islamic university Jamia Nizamia, issued a fatwa in his favour.

Anil Kumar Chauhan now earns his living by painting murals of his art in mosques in and around Hyderabad.

Chauhan, an artist from Hyderabad, has grown from a simple painter to a master calligrapher. He is well known for his art though the recognition has come after a long struggle and hard work. A humble man, Chauhan says that he is still learning and mastering the art.

Anil Kumar Chauhan is a non-Muslim calligrapher who has written Quranic verses 'Asmayi Mubarak' on the walls of more than 200 mosques. He has become popular as an expert as he is engaged by the institutions from far and wide for decoratinging their primises with Quranic verses. Chauhan was busy in the month of Ramzan.

He spoke to the Awaz-the voice on his journey. Excerpts from his interview:

Anil Kumar Chauhan's art

How did you make calligraphy your profession?

My uncle and mother were excellent painters. That is why I have been interested in painting since childhood. My family is from Maharashtra, while my maternal grandmother is from Hyderabad. We also shifted to Hyderabad. I am from a poor family. Due to the responsibility of maintaining the family, I had to drop out of school after class 10th. I was quite good in drawing and painting. So, I started my career as a painter.

Why did you turn to Urdu and Arabic scripts?

Some 35 years ago the use of Urdu language was common in Hyderabad. Urdu signboards were mandatory in commercial establishments and shops. The majority of the city was Urdu speaking and most of the shopkeepers were Muslims. So, it was very important for him to be familiar with Urdu language to adapt himself to the situation. So, I started learning Urdu. I also started writing Arabic based on Urdu.

Where and how did you learn Urdu?

I was unfamiliar with Urdu language, as it was indispensable for my work. I decided to learn Urdu anyway. I learned Urdu through my hard work and research. Today, I have mastered Urdu language. I neither went to a school to learn Urdu nor learned it from a teacher. Initially, I started writing Urdu words without understanding these. During this time, I fell in love with it because of the sweetness of the language. With the passage of time, I started recognizing Urdu letters and words. In my spare time, I used to copy and practice words from Urdu books. Writing shop signboards also helped me a lot. I was an expert in the arts, but gradually I mastered the Urdu language as well. With the help of Urdu language, he also paid special attention to Arabic writing and mastered the art of calligraphy in Arabic as well as in Urdu..

Anil Kumar Chauhan at work

How did you get the opportunity to write verses from the Quran in mosques?

About 30 years ago, the authorities of the Al-Noor Masjid, Kishan Bagh, approached me and asked me to write verses from the Quran on the walls of the mosque. Since then, I have written verses of Quran 'Ashra Mubashara' in the name of Caliphs in 200 mosques. As time passed away, I was welcomed and encouraged by otherDid you face any discrimination for being a non-Muslim during your work in mosques?

There was objection from some quarters on my writing of Quranic verses and blessed names in mosques. Some raised an issue as how a non-Muslim could enter a mosque and write Quranic verses and blessed names. I was a little disappointed at that time. However, I approached the premier Islamic University, Jamia Nizamia, Hyderabad and got a fatwa. For the sake of purity, I got permission to write verses of Quran in mosques. With the approval of Jamia Nizamia, all the objections fizzled out and today Muslims not only value my art, but also respect me.

Are your family members interested in your art?

My family, my children, are not interested in my art. My kids are graduates and work in different companies. Whereas my younger brother Rajesh Chauhan is a specialist in calligraphy

Artwork in a Hyderabad mosque 
In how many languages ​​do you do calligraphy?
Apart from Urdu and Arabic, I also perform in Hindi, English, Telugu, Marathi and Bengali. I have not formally studied in any school or madrasa. This is my God-given ability, for which I am grateful to the One above.

Do you want to showcase your collection in the future?
 
Yes, in future, I intend to display my collection. I am now busy preparing for the exhibition of my collection and intend to organize an exhibition soon.Have your services been officially recognized?
 
Till date, my services have not been officially recognized and no congratulation ceremony or award ceremony has been held in my honour. My services for promoting communal harmony and Ganga-Jamni civilization are evident to all, but till date my art and services have not been appreciated at the official level.
 
What is your message to the younger generation?
 
I want to give a message to the younger generation that they should master their favorite field. Get a prominent position in society by working hard in some art or skill education. He said that there is a demand for experts in all fields.
 

Anil KUmar Chauhan painting in a mosque
 
What is your message to the younger generation?
 
I want to give a message to the younger generation that they should master their favorite field. Get a prominent position in society by working hard in some art or skill education. He said that there is a demand for experts in all fields.
 
Anil Kumar Chauhan is today at the pinnacle of fame all over the world due to his art. One cannot live without admiring his art, skill and writing. It is worth noting that his hard work of nearly three and a half decades is of great importance to master the art. Gaining international recognition through his mastery in the arts was a long-held dream, which is now being
realized. He thanked everyone for appreciating his art.