From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 36 from the Kitab-i Nauras of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II (verso) - Khalilullah Butshikan

A refined folio of Nasta'liq calligraphy from the Kitab-i Nauras, featuring gold-flecked paper and delicate floral ornamentation.

This exquisite folio originates from the Kitab-i Nauras, a collection of songs composed by Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur. The manuscript reflects the cultural synthesis characteristic of the Deccan Sultanate during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Khalilullah Butshikan, a calligrapher of note, executed the script with precision, balancing the textual content with the visual ornamentation of the page.

The composition features Nasta'liq script, a style favoured for its fluid, rhythmic quality. The text is arranged within distinct panels, which are set against a background of gold-flecked paper. The surrounding margins are decorated with delicate, monochrome floral motifs, providing a subtle contrast to the bold, dark ink of the calligraphy. The use of gold leaf throughout the page demonstrates the high status of the manuscript, which was intended for the royal court.

Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II was a patron of music and poetry, and the Kitab-i Nauras serves as a record of his artistic interests. The inclusion of specific ragas, or musical modes, within the text indicates the integration of musicology and literature. The physical condition of the folio reveals the age of the document, with the gold-flecked paper showing signs of wear that add to its historical character. The interplay between the structured calligraphic panels and the organic, flowing patterns of the floral background creates a sense of harmony. This piece offers a window into the aesthetic values of the Bijapur court, where calligraphy was treated as a fine art form, equal in status to painting or architecture. The work remains a significant example of the intersection between royal patronage and the literary traditions of the Indian subcontinent.