تُ ( You ), 2022

30×30

Acrylics and Gold Leaf

In this piece, I pay tribute to the timeless elegance of Persian calligraphy and the enduring legacy of Amir Khusrau Dehlawi’s poetry. The word ‘تو’ (‘you’ in Farsi) is more than a subject pronoun; it is an invocation, a singular term that encapsulates the profundity of connection and the uniqueness of the beloved.

Inspired by the verse, “I have seen the horizons, I have worshiped all the idols, I have seen many delightful people, but ‘you’ are something else to me,” the calligraphy on this canvas is an exploration of the sublime reverence found within Khusrau’s words. The background, adorned with gold leaf, signifies the preciousness and revered status of the subject, while the stark black of the calligraphy represents clarity within the depths of devotion.

The interplay of gold and black, light and script, serves as a visual metaphor for the divine and earthly aspects of adoration. The ‘you’ to whom Khusrau refers is elevated to a pedestal of distinction, revered above all horizons, idols, and people, a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has known the depth of a profound personal connection.