Explaining the qualitative criteria for the implementation of Nasta'liq letters in computer writing based on the traditional principles and rules of Nasta'liq script

Abstract

The computer's calligraphy includes a set of software and calligraphy pens. Since the invention of the Nasta'liq calligraphy in Iran, it has undergone many changes in its path of cohesion, the most important of which was initially due to the arrival of the printing industry in Iran and the contemporary period due to the advent of computer technology. Computer fonts have been updated in the field of calligraphy by the production of calligraphy software and, therefore, the study of changes in calligraphy through such writings methods requires illuminating the principles and rules of traditional calligraphy to recognize the achievements and challenges of the new computer writing software. The present study aims to explain the criteria for qualitative evaluation of the implementation of calligraphy in computers based on traditional principles and rules, and thus seeks to answer the question of how to achieve criteria based on traditional principles and rules of calligraphy that are effective in assessing the quality of computer letters, and to what extent can be knowing the style of calligraphers effective in explaining these criteria. The method of research is descriptive-analytical, and the method of collecting data is through library study. The approach of this paper is comparative and the method of analysis is qualitative. The statistical population is a collection of pens and software capable of writing Nasta’liq. The number of samples studied includes Kelk software, Mir Emad software, and Mirza Pen, each of which is the result of the handwriting of three calligraphy professors i.e. Abbas Akhavin, Amir Ahmad Falsafi, and Mirza Gholamreza Isfahani. In this regard, first-hand sources that have been directly related to the research include documents regarding the theoretical texts, books, theories, and documented sources in the field of calligraphy; and due to the novelty of the subject concerning punctuation, the researcher had to spend a lot of time researching and collecting data in the field, and thus the bulk of the information is obtained by collecting images and comparative comparisons of computer writings with various aspects of the Nasta’liq handwriting in terms of the form and position of the dots. Examining the quality of performing the letters in three examples of computer scripts i.e. Kelk software, Mir Emad software, and Mirza Pen and based on the special rules and principles of Nasta'liq calligraphy includes: the center of the pen and pen angles, the quality of distant lines in computer-drawn letters, letter connections and the turning points in the ascent and descent sections of the lines, and the distance and proximity of the shape of computer letters compared to the traditional calligraphy. As it was observed, explaining the necessary criteria for examining the quality of computer letters, first requires extracting the contents of the computer and handwritten letters and then comparatively comparing them in computer and on paper, based on four criteria i.e. principle, proportion, composition, the seat of the letter. In addition to the general principles and rules of calligraphy, since the pattern in the production of all the three software is different and specific to the style of a master, and since the elegance and sweetness of calligraphy rely on the variety of methods, therefore, knowing the style of each calligrapher and comparing it with its computer sample is decisive in explaining the quality criteria. As a result, it was found that computer scripts to comply with the general principles and rules of calligraphy are properly designed. But where we talk about the unique methods of calligraphers and the facade of their handwriting in the computer, it is necessary to categorize the critical components to make the computer fonts more close and similar to the real handwritten scripts of the calligraphers. Although computer fonts are already designed and in use, the following tips can be modified and followed by the letter designer: The most important point is the skill and knowledge of methods, and this includes paying attention to the turning points of letters and coherence in the drawing of words, accuracy in the shape of letters in terms of strengths and weaknesses, descent and ascent and the correct performance in drawing the teeth in Nasta’liq handwriting.