Samrup Rachna

Samrup Rachna is a 60-piece calligraphy collection of Apni Boli, a fusion of Hindi and Urdu, created by Pakistani artist Syed Mohammed Anwer.[1][2]

The name is derived from the Sanskrit words Samrup (समरूप), meaning "congruence" or similar, and Rachna (रचना) meaning "creative work or design."[3] In linguistics, languages such as Hindustani that are written in two different scripts are called synchronic digraphia.[4]

The calligraphy is a combination of the Devanagari (northern Brahmic) and Nastaliq (Perso Arabic) scripts of Hindi-Urdu, which Anwer refers to as Apni Boli. Anwer learned Devanagari script from his mother, who explained that although Hindi and Urdu are written in different scripts, they are essentially the same language. This understanding pushed him to create a fusion of the scripts, inspired by his doodling in the office, where emerging patterns led him to begin painting them.[5]

The calligraphy visually represents the meaning of the word. For example, the Hindustani word surahi (meaning "ewer" or "pitcher" in English) is written in Apni Boli calligraphy in a way that it also forms a picture of an ewer.[6][7]

The artwork emphasizes the shared linguistic heritage of Hindi and Urdu, emphasizing their cultural and linguistic similarities.[8]

The 60-piece collection was launched as a book, titled Samrup Rachna – Calligraphic Expression of Apni Boli [Hindi-Urdu], at the Pakistan Mother Languages Literature Festival at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage in 2016.[9]

Samrup Rachna Exhibitions

1. The Launch of Samrup Rachna Calligraphic Expressions 2012

The first Inaugural Exhibition of Samrup Rachna – Art for Peace was held in Islamabad from April 2–4, 2012. The artist Syed Mohammed Anwer was interviewed by VOA. [6]

2. Kuch Khaas the Centre for Arts, Culture & Dialogue, Islamabad 2012

A session featuring Syed Mohammed Anwer, the artist behind Samrup Rachna Calligraphy, was held at Kuch Khaas Center of Arts & Culture, Islamabad on April 27, 2012.[10]

3. Samrup Rachna – Apni Boli Book Launch at Cultural Festival on World Local Languages Day, 2016

The book on Samrup Rachna's calligraphic work was launched[11] on World Local Languages Day, 2016, at a Cultural Festival held at Lok Virsa Islamabad. Anwer discussed his journey in creating the artwork.[12]

6. South Asian Scripts, Chicago University USA, 2018

Syed Mohammed Anwer's artwork was displayed in an exhibition titled “Cosmopolitanism and National Identities” at the University of Chicago from September 5 to December 14, 2018. [1]

  • "Juta" (shoe) written in Samrup Rachna calligraphy
  • "Buddha" written in Samrup Rachna calligraphy
  • "Fatwa" written in Samrup Rachna Calligraphy
  • "Surahi" in Samrup Rachna Calligraphy

References

  1. ^ a b "Cosmopolitanism and National Identities - The World of South Asian Scripts - The University of Chicago Library". www.lib.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  2. ^ "Pak lawyer fuses Urdu, Hindi in calligraphy". Hindustan Times. 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  3. ^ "زبان قربتوں کا ذریعہ نا کہ دوریوں کا" [Language is a means of closeness, not of distance. Syed Muhammad Anwar Interview]. Urdu VOA.
  4. ^ Cheung, Yat-Shing (1992). "The form and meaning of digraphia: the case of Chinese". In K. Bolton and H. Kwok. Sociolinguistics Today: International Perspectives. London: Routledge.
  5. ^ "'Language has no religion': Pakistani lawyer fuses Urdu, Hindi in calligraphy". The Express Tribune. 2016-02-03. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  6. ^ a b "Syed Mohammad Anwar – Calligraphy Artist". Urdu VOA. 13 April 2012. Archived from the original on June 23, 2025 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ "A book of unique calligraphy | Pakistan Observer". Archived from the original on 2016-03-21. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  8. ^ "Unique linguistic art book launched". financspree.com. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  9. ^ "Mother languages literature fair begins amid festivity". Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
  10. ^ "Kuch Khaas: Calligraphic Expression of Apni-Boli by Dr. Syed Mohammed Anwer". YouTube.
  11. ^ "Dr.Syed Mohammed Anwer speaking on diversity of Languages at World Local Languages Day". YouTube. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "SAMRUP RACHNA VOA, Art for Peace by Dr.Syed Muhammad Anwer". YouTube. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022.
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