Rasheed But

World renowned Pakistani calligrapher Rasheed Butt began studying calligraphy in 1961. Since then he has exhibited his work all over the world and many of his masterpieces feature in museums and private collections including those of the king of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Dr. Parviz Davoudi the First Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, The Sultan of Brunei, Hamid Karzai and the Ackland Museum in North Carolina.

On calligraphy, Rasheed Butt says that he is “fascinated by the timeless and captivating message of the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah. It gives me much pride to know that my hand is an instrument in generating delightful expression of this Divine message. I feel honoured that the Almighty has bestowed upon me this opportunity to spread this Divine message to audiences worldwide. My work in Islamic calligraphy is my fate and destiny to which I have dedicated my life”.

Rasheed Butt's versatility in various kinds of calligraphy scripts is established in the Muslim world. Illumination at the hands of chilling complacence and continuing disinterestedness gradually slipping into oblivion is redeemed in Rasheed’s serenading illuminations. He is the first person in Pakistan to use illuminations in his work.

The remarkable effect Rasheed's art has, like all great calligraphy, is that it places one precisely at that point where the word is still pregnant with existence; a primordial moment that instils a sense of equilibrium, calm, and wisdom. His passion for gold illumination only accentuates this morphic tendency for gold is the symbol of perfection towards which everything is moving.

He has exhibited his work all over the globe and many of his calligraphy masterpieces feature in museums, private collections and many monuments including the Pakistani Senate and Mecca Gate, Saudi Arabia. Butt has been commissioned by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to create inimitable works of Islamic calligraphy which have been presented to more than twenty heads of state in an official capacity. It is no wonder that the famous Christie's had put up his work for auction a distinction not given to any living Muslim calligrapher. Butt’s achievements have earned him accolades and recognition from the President of Pakistan who presented him with the “Pride of Performance” award in 1989 which is considered the highest civil award in Pakistan. He was chosen as an International jury member for the International Calligraphy Competition organised by the IRCICA (Turkey).