Additional information
by Ali Rouhfar (Author)
NUQTEH This book is a comprehensive teaching instruction for Persian calligraphy (NASTALIQ). In fact, all lessons that are taught in my classes have been captured and transferred to a printed material which is this book. Besides, in order to make it more helpful and very close to live classes, and to cover verbal instruction, many more details are added to descriptions and illustrations to give students the confidence to feel they are in a live teaching atmosphere. All lessons were reviewed over and over, filtered, and modified before come to this book. Texts in this book are simple and intimate same as verbal instruction in live teaching. Those who have used the methods of this book have been able to pass tests to obtain official certificates for their proficiency. This book is useful for those who have the desire to learn Persian calligraphy but, their busy lives, inaccessibility to classes, and lack of teaching materials prevent them from following their goal. This book is an easy, fast, and effective method for beginners or it can be used as a reference for those that already attending Persian calligraphy classes. In short, this book is a platform to take a journey to beauty and infinite source of positive energy. Colorful illustrations along with explanation and graphical illustrations of pen movements make this book simple, effective and useful for beginners to experts, for those who are learning calligraphy as a hobby, a fun educational activity for children of aged 10+ and beneficial for meditation and spiritualism practice as well. It is also a good resource as a supplement for students of elementary Persian language (Farsi). This book contains 200 step-by-step lessons providing instructions for the entire Persian alphabet and instructions to combine letters. This is a new wave as visual teaching method that enables everyone to learn. Even those who do not have Persian language knowledge can learn Farsi and calligraphy from this book. To create a beautiful letter, the pen gets different positions, changes the angle while the pen is moving, and changes directions. For this purpose, descriptions, and graphical pictures of pen moves helps a detailed understanding and following directions. Students learn how to move their hand to give different trace of pen on the paper and gradually their moves and flexibility gets harmony with nature by following instructions. Persian calligraphy (NASTALIQ) is almost 90% curves and rotations. The whole universe is moving and moves are in a circle or oval shapes. It is a big challenge for beginner students to educate their hands to draw a circle or an oval with a wide tip pen. Experience shows that harmonizing intelligence and spirit with the nature effects on moves. Moves of the pen are smooth with consistent changes from one rotation to another, from ascent to descent and vice verse, from thick line to narrow and gently from a narrow to thick. These are all representing the nature. Ocean waves, a bird landing on water, rotation of galaxies, a water fall, and etc. are examples of such moves. Putting students in a position to absorb these moves along with their instincts of connections to the Mother Nature help them to get the concept of this calligraphy easier and faster. During learning, connecting to nature and learning rules constantly effects on each other and elevate the level of skills and more freedom and ultimately, a double benefits will be achieved: First: Writing nicely which would be an eye soothing (at any level). This will happen by practice. Second: Getting direct connection with nature. In another word, getting detached from daily lives and becoming a fresh person. Relaxation, being calm and peaceful, to be patient, and having a broader vision to the world and life would be a daily benefit from dawn to dusk.
Author Biography
Ali Rouhfar was born in Tehran, Iran in March 1949. He started showing interests in calligraphy and taking lessons from his grandfather at the age of 13. However, he stopped 6 month later due to death of his grandfather and calligraphy master. He resumed calligraphy practice after he earned 3rd prize in a contest among calligraphers in greater Tehran (1966) He graduated from college majoring in Economics, Business, and Finance. Ali continued his studying in economic theories. Ali and his family migrated to the United States seeking medical treatment for a severely ill family member in 1990. This was a sudden move that had a tremendous impact on his family in all aspects; physically, emotionally and financially. Once again, he found his strength in his passion for calligraphy. He felt this was his calling from God to display his art and evangelize the virtues of calligraphy to his new community in the United States. In 1997, an event marked a turning point in his life as a calligrapher. "I was setting up my work for a show when a man came to me, stared at one of my works and said a deep sentence and left. That influenced me in a way that I could look at this art in a whole new level. He conveyed a message that I needed to hear to view this calligraphy from a different perspective." The beginning of 2000 was a new chapter in his life as the community was getting to know him and he was becoming more active in it. He was invited for several lectures at different colleges and museums. He was invited to teach at The University of Washington. He offered courses at Middle Eastern Language and Civilization Department. Also he expanded teaching private calligraphy classes. Art galleries began carrying his works. He also was artist in residence at Seattle Children Museum. He is proud that he worked with children. During a month of being at that museum, he created a piece of art with participating of 1700 children. He called this piece "INNOCENTS". All these further encouraged him to swim deeper into calligraphy. In 2010, he assumed leadership of the Iran Calligraphers Association of North America in Washington State. He dedicated more time to teaching calligraphy and experimenting with different methods of teaching for easier and speedier understanding for students. He finally decided to publish the results of these experiments in two volumes of self-learning instructional books as well as relation between Persian calligraphy and life.
