OTTOMAN EDUCATION METHOD THAT BROUGHT CALLIGRAPHY TO THE TOP: THE TRADITION OF MESHK AND RATIFICATION

Abstract

Having an important place in Turkish-Islamic arts, „calligraphy‟ expresses beautiful writings written in Arabic alphabet. The artist is also called „calligrapher‟. The historical development of this art has been shown on the Holy Qur‟an of Islamic Religion. However, as in the past, today, not only Arabic, but also other languages using Arabic alphabet such as Turkish and Farsi are used in artworks. Calligraphy, which has many valuable examples in the world‟s most advanced museums, is increasing the number of its fans and followers day by day also in the countries other than Islamic countries. Calligraphy has a deep-rooted tradition of education coming from the past. Documents from the Ottoman period indicate that the calligraphy education was carried out meticulously in a certain order and discipline. It is certain that this method of education has an effect on Ottomans to become prominent among the Islamic countries in this field of art. In this method, which is basically based on masterapprentice relation, the way of meshk has been pursued. Meshk means the sample written by the master as a lecture for the study of the apprentice. It is called making meshk, the work done by taking it as an example. The apprentice studies lessons given to him and shows his writings to his master. Then the master writes the correct forms right under the letters or words he finds incorrect, showing their measurements and bases. The apprentice re-writes the same section in the way of the master‟s corrections and brings it to the next class. This goes on until the desired level. An apprentice who successfully completes the necessary steps is entitled to receive a ratification (icazet). According to the procedure, the apprentice will receive the ratification from his master. Certificate of ratification is a term used to mean the certificate of proficiency given to those who have completed their studies in science and calligraphy. A calligrapher who got this certificate gains the authority to add „ketebe‟ (signature) to his calligraphy. Signing under the writings of calligraphers without the ratification is considered as nonprocedural in the Ottoman tradition. Thus, the application of the ratification functioned as a quality control mechanism of the calligraphy and had an effect on increasing the level of art.