Sadequain stands out as one of the greatest self-taught calligraphers and painters of all time. He was not only a skilled maestro of his craft but his work transcend thought and speak the language of a silent intellectual depth. Born in 1923 in Uttar Pradesh into a lineage steeped into the tradition of calligraphy, it seems it was his destiny to become the master of this art. His full name is Syed Sadequain Ahmed Naqvi, with his each stroke conveyed rich tapestry of thought that evoke emotions that continues to inspire and provoke reflection.

Sadequain’s artistry transcended mere technical prowess; his strength was his deft strokes, keen understanding of composition, and acute awareness of texture. Yet, what truly distinguished him was his remarkable ability to vividly incorporate his surroundings, intellect, and inspirations into his paintings.

In order to understand Sadequain’s work one must be familiar with rubaiyat and poetry by Iqal, Faiz, and Ghalib. As many of his paintings revolve around the phrases from many aforementioned Muslim poets of subcontinent thus, these paintings could only be encoded by the one who has cultural familiarity as well as inquisitive mind. His murals from Lahore Museum’s ceiling, Wapda House Wall, and Frere House Karachi ceiling speaks of his hidden wisdom behind his master strokes. In his most celebrated murals one can see inclination towards cosmos through the lens of Iqbal, and various other verses and poetry on marifat.

For some time he stayed in remote shores of  Gadani in Karachi where he first encountered the plant cactus. He got so inspired by its, shape, form and symbolism that he began to use its form in his later paintings, for him the plant depicted human struggles and sufferings. Since he was a brilliant calligrapher one of his most distinct and original painting inspired by cactus was calligraphy where he integrated the shape of cactus into the Arabic alphabets.

During 60s when he visited Paris and stayed there for a while he become heavily influenced by the style of Picasso.

 

We see many great master painters and calligraphers in the world but the secret of becoming great hides behind being “skillfully original”. Thus, the brilliance of Sadequain lay in his unique inspirations which are depicted in all his paintings from calligraphy to the form of cactus to influence of Picasso and Sufi and Urdu poetry.