This
style of handwriting goes back to the Ottoman period. It was labeled
the Diwani script because it was used in the Ottoman dawaween (bureaus)
and was one of the secrets of the palaces of the sultan. The rules
of this script were not known to everyone, but confined to its
masters and a few bright students. It was used in the writing of all
royal decrees, endowments, and resolutions.
The
Diwani style spread enormously in modern times due to the efforts of
the Royal Arabic Calligraphy School in Egypt. It was simplified and
developed by the Egyptian calligrapher Mustafa Ghazlan; hence it was
called the Ghazlani handwriting.
The
Diwani script is divided into two types.
1.
The Riq`a Diwani style, which is void of any decorations and whose
lines are straight, except for the lower parts of the letters.
2.
The Jali or clear style. This kind of handwriting is distinguished
by the intertwining of its letters and its straight lines from top
to bottom. It is punctuated and decorated to appear as one piece.
The Diwani handwriting is known for the intertwining of its letters,
which makes it very difficult to read or write—and difficult to
forge!
Diwani
is marked by beauty and harmony. Accurate small samples are usually
more beautiful than big ones. This kind of handwriting is still used
in the correspondence of kings, princes, presidents, and in
ceremonies and greeting cards. It has a high artistic value.
