Page from Tales of a Parrot (Tuti-nama) - Basavana

A fine art print of a calligraphic text page from the Tuti-nama, featuring the elegant Nasta'liq script by the Mughal master Basavana.

This fine art print reproduces a text page from the Tuti-nama, or Tales of a Parrot, a significant manuscript commissioned during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Tuti-nama consists of fifty-two stories narrated by a parrot to its mistress over the course of fifty-two nights. This specific page features the Nasta'liq script, a style of Persian calligraphy characterised by its fluid, elongated horizontal strokes and contrasting vertical proportions.

Basavana, a master painter and scribe within the imperial workshop, contributed to the production of this manuscript. The page displays the precision of the scribe's hand, with the text arranged in a balanced, rectangular format. The paper shows the natural ageing of the original manuscript, with subtle variations in tone that provide a sense of historical authenticity. The borders are defined by thin, ruled lines in gold and black, which frame the dense block of text. At the base, a separate section contains additional verses, marked by a distinct layout that separates the primary narrative from the concluding poetic lines.

The Tuti-nama is a primary example of the synthesis between Persian literary traditions and the developing aesthetic of the Mughal court. The manuscript reflects the patronage of Akbar, who encouraged the documentation of diverse cultural narratives. This print captures the visual rhythm of the script, where the ink sits upon the paper with clarity and purpose. It is a study in the discipline of classical calligraphy, offering a glimpse into the literary culture of sixteenth-century India. The composition is entirely focused on the written word, allowing the viewer to appreciate the structural beauty of the Nasta'liq script as both a means of communication and a form of visual art.