Watching, practising calligraphy

Good handwriting is an art. But calligraphy - from Greek kalligraphia, 'beautiful writing' - is magic. Watching a calligrapher at work is a pleasure that can only be matched by engaging in it yourself. With deliberate strokes of ink-dipped brushes or pens, the calligrapher weaves letters into elegance and precision. Each movement is slow and deliberate, and each stroke manifests skill and intuition.

As a calligrapher's kalam touches paper, there's a sense of reverence in the air, a quiet anticipation that accompanies the start of this art form. A calligrapher's focus is unwavering, her hand moving with fluid grace across the paper surface. Each letter takes on a life of its own.

Be it Chinese, Urdu or Japanese, the process has a mesmerising quality, drawing observers and practitioners into a trance-like state. It's a testament to the beauty of human creativity and expression.

It's also a reminder of the power of patience and practice that any art form demands. With the last stroke gracefully placed, the finished piece stands as a delightful nod to the timeless charm of this art form, shimmering and drying as it settles into the world.