Contemporary Styles and Forms of Persian Calligraphy:

As mentioned before, among contemporary Persian Calligraphy styles, “Nas’taliq” and “Cursive Nas’taliq” are certainly the most popular ones. This is the reason that we will be trying to focus on these two styles. There are a few distinct forms to present these calligraphy styles and we will have a pictorial overview on these forms:

 

                Linear-Script (Satr Nevisi): Usually to write a single quote

                                            

                                                                                         Linear-Script (Satr Nevisi)

 

                Double-Line Script (Beyt Nevisi): Usually to write a verse of a poem

                                                  

                                                                                     Double-Line Script (Beyt Nevisi)

 

  Double-Diagonal-Script (Chalipa): Usually to write two verses in a diagonal format. It follows very strict rules that make this form the most difficult form. This form is one of the major parts of the nation-wide calligraphy exams held by Iran Society of Calligraphers.

                                                                                  

                                                                                    Double-Diagonal-Script (Chalipa)

 

  Fine-Script (Ketaabat): To write a whole paragraph or to write a short historical story in a few lines. This form also is one of the major parts of the nation-wide calligraphy exams in Society of Persian Calligraphers.

 Letterhead-Script (Katibeh): Usually to write a quote in a decorative form sometimes with scrambled words that often makes it hard to read. One of the most common techniques in this form is arranging stretched word on top of each other in such a way that stretched letters are parallel. Another technique is to arrange curved or circular letters next to one another. This form may be used as architectural decoration on entrance arches in mosques, shrines, or even luxurious houses.

 

                                                    

                                                                                    Letterhead-Script (Katibeh)    

   Decorative-Repetitive-Script (Siah-Mashq): This form has been originally practice of calligrapher on a single piece of paper. Obviously main purpose is to preserve paper. Nevertheless, during the centuries it has been noticed these harmonic elegant movements of those dancing curves creating beautiful repetitions may be an independent calligraphy form itself. 

                                        

                                                                       Decorative-Repetitive Script (Siah-Mashq)

 

    Calligraphy-Painting (Khat-Naqqashi): This form is one of the most beautiful forms of the contemporary Persian calligraphy.  It presents calligraphy and painting combined together.

 

                                                                      
                                                                                   Calligraphy-Painting (Khat-Naqqashi)