From Dohras (Songs) 40 and 42 from the Kitab-i Nauras - Khalilullah Butshikan

A refined manuscript leaf featuring Nasta'liq calligraphy from the Kitab-i Nauras, created by the calligrapher Khalilullah Butshikan in the Bijapur court.

This manuscript leaf originates from the Kitab-i Nauras, or Book of Nine Essences, a collection of songs composed by Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II of Bijapur. The text is attributed to the calligrapher Khalilullah Butshikan, who was active in the Deccan region of India during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The work reflects the cultural synthesis characteristic of the Bijapur court, where Persian literary traditions merged with local Deccani musical and poetic forms.

The page displays Nasta'liq script, a style of calligraphy known for its fluid, elongated strokes and rhythmic balance. The text is arranged within a central panel, which is set against a background of gold-leaf floral motifs. These decorative elements provide a visual frame for the verses, which are written in a combination of Persian and Dakhni. The use of gold, both in the background and as a decorative border, indicates the high status of the manuscript and the patronage of the Sultan.

Khalilullah Butshikan was a master of his craft, and his hand is evident in the precise, controlled execution of the letters. The leaf is not merely a record of text, but a visual object where the arrangement of the script and the surrounding illumination work in tandem. The paper itself shows signs of age, with a warm, weathered tone that adds to its historical character. This piece offers a glimpse into the intellectual life of the Bijapur Sultanate, a period marked by a unique blend of artistic and literary production. The composition remains balanced, with the calligraphic lines providing a sense of movement that contrasts with the static, ornamental nature of the gold-leaf background.