Little by little, from this world of being & non-being
The non-existent have left & the existent are arriving...Maulana Rumi
The name ‘Hast-o-Neest’ is inspired by a couplet of Jalauddin Rumi illustrating a principle seen in the traditional world-view as underlying all creation – including art – where a gross and ephemeral medium - ‘non-being’ – becomes the locus reflecting or manifesting true ‘Being’. At Hast-o-Neest, the overall guiding principle is Beauty, jamal. In the traditional Islamic world-view beauty is an aspect of the Creator and is seen as an essential aspect of His creation; by extension it becomes an important aspect of everything one does or creates, including art.
The word ‘tradition’
in the context of Hast-o-Neest’s activities and objectives is not used in the
everyday sense of signifying something connected to the past. The word is used
in a particular sense, where ‘tradition’ signifies a sacred ‘world-view’
according to which both Nature and Man are seen as having their roots in and as
manifestations of a Divine Source. The word 'tradition' is therefore used
to signify such cultures whose foundations are based on Principles and Truths
of Divine Origin which are then applied over time to various domains from
metaphysics and cosmology to art and science.
Hast-o-Neest
Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts is initiated by
Baytunur (Trust) for the research, study and promotion of traditional art, and
culture. It aims to provide an introduction to and a greater understanding of
traditional wisdom including sufi doctrine and method, traditional philosophy,
metaphysics and cosmology, and allied arts as calligraphy and architecture.
The primary objective
is to engage with, research and explore traditional knowledge, practice and
experience in today’s wider context in an open atmosphere that encourages
reflection, and discussion; to create an environment of learning where
students are able to benefit from a knowledge that is rooted in a 'tradition'.
Hast-o-Neest is a space where there is access to such knowledge and its Masters
– as they are traditionally known: ‘Ustad’ or ‘Shaykh’.
The end product is an
art, craft that manifests the guiding principle of Jamal, and an
etiquette of interaction and approach that is derived from a traditional
thought process.
The Trust Fund:
The Trust Fund
constitutes regular donations of Trustees and income from the Trust's
projects. The Trust does not own any property and its head office is
generously provided by a trustee’s own professional office. In 2012 with the
formation of the Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts, the
Trust accepts additional support through donations, and fund-raising activities
and support in terms of furniture, equipment, administrative support etc. is
also included.
Supporting Friends:
M/s Murree Brewery,
Rawalpindi
M/s Kohinoor Weaving
Mills Ltd, Lahore
M/s House of Maheen,
Karachi
M/s Monica Couture,
Lahore
M/s Shan Foods (Pvt)
Ltd., Karachi
M/s Kamil Khan Mumtaz
Architects, Lahore
Iqbal Academy
Pakistan, Lahore
Dabestan-e-Iqbal,
Lahore
Mr. Khalid Saigol
Mr. Mazhar Farid
Mr. Shahid Qadeer Mirza (late)
Mr. Shahid Qadeer Mirza (late)
Mr. Ali Habib
Mr. Riaz Kamlani
