The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), is organising a live performance titled ‘The Rhythm of Oud and Calligraphy’, featuring world-renowned Tunisian Artist Naja Al Mahdawi and composer, oud master, and UNESCO Artist Naseer Shamma, in a Ramadan evening at Louvre Abu Dhabi tomorrow, 7 April 2023.

Deeply rooted in Arab culture, the show will blend the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy with the melodies of the oud. It will be the third joint performance by the two artists following events at the Arab Music Days Festival 2022 in Berlin, Germany, and at the Carthage Amphitheatre in Carthage, Tunisia.

HE Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: “Advancing the status of the Arabic language is at the core of our mandate at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, and we strive to build bridges that bring the language and its aesthetics into people’s everyday lives. By supporting artists and original art forms that advance the prevalence and artistic use of the Arabic language, we are introducing an aesthetic dimension to the language, from which the art of Arabic calligraphy emerged. Artist Naja Al Mahdawi excels in presenting the art of calligraphy in a contemporary way, while Naseer Shamma showcases the traditional heritage of the Arabic oud instrument. Bringing them together in Abu Dhabi in this thrilling live performance will bring great enrichment to our audiences.”

‘The Rhythm of Oud and Calligraphy’ explores the improvisation skills of the two artists in their respective fields, presenting an immersive duo of colour and music, each following the movement of the other in a sensory show that deviates from traditional formats and treats spectators to a real-time glimpse into the creation of an artwork. At the same time, the performance reveals the ingenuity and artistry inherent in Arabic letters, highlighting the modern artistic schools that stemmed from that. It also underlines the movement in Arabic music and its traditions, especially when it comes to the oud, towards contemporary experimentation. Each artist will present a new method for improvisation, and highlight opportunities for dialogue between different art forms.

Al Mahdawi said: “‘The Rhythm of Oud and Calligraphy’ is essentially a search for a spiritual language that takes you to new heights, where the feather merges with the strings to create a new dialogue between Arabic letters, which form the basis of a key foundation of abstract Islamic art, and the method of playing the oud, as developed by Naseer Shamma, who gave the artform a more global and civilisational aspect.”

Shamma added: “Calligraphy is letters and colours, and so is music. They create life at the heart of life. The creations of the brilliant Naja Al Mahdawi inspired my oud music, and his calligraphy and colours motivate me to create joy, as we weave stories that we play together.”

Al Mahdawi is a Tunisian multimedia artist and one of the most prolific contemporary artists in the Arab world. Known as “Arranger of Letters and Explorer of Symbols”, Al Mahdawi is considered one of the pioneers of abstract calligraphy, where he follows an unparalleled artistic methodology based on what he refers to as ‘sketch writing’ or ‘free linear units’. These methods have enabled him to embody the true aesthetic qualities of Arabic letters and inspire many admirers.

Iraqi musician and composer Shamma graduated from the Institute of Musical Studies in Baghdad in 1987 and holds a PhD in Musical Philosophy. He has gained fame for his outstanding performances playing oud, for which he has earned more than 60 awards. In the late 1980s, Shamma began exporting his musical culture to Europe with dazzling performances in Paris, Germany, Switzerland, London, and others. He launched the Bait Al Oud music academies in several Arab cities, including Abu Dhabi and Cairo. He has also been active in humanitarian and heritage preservation efforts, leading to an appointment as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, as he has served as an ambassador for several international organisations, such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).