The Diwani Calligraphy style

Diwani calligraphy, the luxurious style.

An Arabic calligraphy of Ottoman origin, which has known a great expansion and prosperity since its creation to the present day. It was inspired by the Ruqaa style that was known as the script of official transactions throughout the government of the Ottoman Empire. It was not less favorable than this later, as it was named Al-Diwani in relation to the Diwan of the Ottoman Sultan (the administrative organization), where this calligraphic style was used to write the royal correspondence.

This was officially launched during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Al-Fatih at 857 Hijri.

After its conception, the ottoman calligraphers “Shahla Pasha”, “Al-Hafiz Othman”, and “Muhammad Ezzat”, who were also credited with the refining of the Diwani Jali script, assisted in its refinement.

It was given very prestigious names..

What are the names for the Diwani Calligraphic style and what are the references?

The Sultan calligraphy: In reference to the Ottoman Sultan “Muhammad al-Fateh”, who was officially using it during his reign in writing royal approvals (what the sultan offers to his surroundings as concessions and gifts…), acquittals and judicial instructions.

The Ruqaa of Al-Bab Al-Alee: First, because it was reproduced from the Ruqaa style, second, in relation to the Bab Al-Alee, which is the residence of the Ottoman government.

Ghazlani calligraphy: This name was known to the Arabs in relation to the calligrapher “Mustafa Ghazlan“, who constituted and promoted the rules of this calligraphy style in the Arab countries.

Based on its names, we conclude that the uses of the Diwani script are so important and diverse.

What are the uses of the Diwani script throughout history?

In the Ottoman Empire it was used in official writings in private offices, in particular ceremonies for appointments to important positions, writing letters announcing high positions in the state, and certainly orders written by sultans and princes.

Then, soon, it went beyond official writings to artistic drawings, so that the aesthetic paintings of poetry, proverbs and supplications.

Today, it is often used to write books’ names and the heading of advertisements, because this font has a distinctive luster that attracts attention.

What is specific about the Diwani calligraphy style?

The most beautiful thing about the Diwani calligraphy is the softness and flow of its letters. It is a charming, malleable style. Its shapes are rounded and overlapping. Even some letters look the same even though they’re different, when written in Diwani script, such as Alif (ا) and Laam (ل) if they are at the beginning of the word.

When drawing, calligraphers link some separate letters such as Ra’ (ر), wow (و), Alif (ا) and daal (د) with the letters that come after them, to give more fluidity. That makes for more beauty. Sometimes, some letters stray, but they do not disturb the charm of writing, but add elegance and innovation to it.

Diwani’s calligraphy is written with reed pens, then the calligrapher uses a thinner pen to shape diacritics and draw elongations.

The Diwani script was divided into two styles:

Ordinary Diwani, which is not diacritical.

Jali Diwani, in which diacritics and decorative shapes abound, for filling spaces between letters, and is used in ornaments.

How do you write in Diwani script?

If you are a fan of Diwani calligraphy and see the artistic and luxurious side that are suitable for designing a book cover, poster or greeting card, Then don’t mess around! You must use the eMashq program.

The eMashq platform is an online program to write and draw in several Arabic calligraphy styles so that the user does not stray from the rules and scales of the used script.

eMashq.com provides you with a library full of different forms of the same letter in the same place of the word in every font you use, so that your design isn’t boring, but rather pretend the work of professional calligraphers.

The eMashq platform offers you the ability to write and design with 8 types of Arabic and Persian calligraphies, including the Diwani font, as it provides you with about 3000 forms in this style in addition to the diacritical forms, even if they are not essential in the Diwani font.

The calligraphy tools on this program are simple and easy to use. Most importantly, they are suitable for each type of style used. In the Diwani font, the user can draw letter elongations and adjust their size and length as needed using the step elongation tool.

There is also the Vertical elongation tool that allows you to control the height of several existing letters, such as Alif (ا). Then the Horizontal elongation tool so that you can extend letters and words horizontally.

Add to this, the option that will be your favorite, the Tail ending tool; which gives the shape of a curved tail in various shapes to some word’s final letters, And gives it the originality and innovation of a licensed calligraphy artist in Diwani’s script.

Of course, you can export your work online with no software installed. Next, post it on social networks or send a link to your work to someone in just a few simple steps.

Even if you lack sufficient time to design your project on eMashq, or you lack an innovative idea for a new design, don’t despair or look for ready-to-use pieces! simply give us the text and dimensions of the design required, or perhaps its purpose: a company logo, a title for a book cover or a dissertation, A birthday or wedding congratulations … and we will do the work according to your request.

Be certain, the result will surprise you!

For more details, refer to Buy a calligraphy.

Take a look at some examples of application areas of eMashq calligraphy styles