UNAIR NEWS – Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga student, Husada Tsalitsa Mardiansyah has a skill in calligraphy art. His work is not only popular among the locals, he even received orders from his associates overseas, such as New York and Jerusalem.
The work of FK UNAIR sixth semester student was appreciated by UNAIR as Husada also participated in the Ulul Azmi Mosque logo design competition in 2016. After submitting a logo and presenting his philosophy to the jury, Husada won the competition. His logo was chosen to be the logo of Ulul Azmi UNAIR Mosque.
In making the logo, the man born in Banyuwangi combined several kufi letters and several other letter styles in line with the calligraphy art. The shape of the mosque’s logo looks like a droplet of water, as “Water of Amerta” or the eternal life water that is carried by Garuda Mukti.
“It symbolizes UNAIR as a source of knowledge that is always eternal. We can get knowledge in campus UNAIR and this mosque, “he explained.
He has had his interest in the art of calligraphy since childhood. When he was in elementary school, Husada did not hesitate to offer calligraphy art works to his friends. Husada enthusiastically made calligraphy orders on colorful paper, although only paid 500 Rupiah at that time.
With great enthusiasm, he continues to develop his talents by following the calligraphy extra-curricular activities (ekskul). From junior high school to senior high school, he began to commercialize his works. He received a calligraphy order for book cover from some publisher or for gifts several times. There were also orders from several Islamic communities abroad.
When he started writing calligraphy, Husada did not yet understand if there are laws in it. But over time, his skill and understanding is honed well.
“Alhamdhulillah, I am more flexible now without having to write a sketch with a pencil. Because the hand reflex has been trained, so it is easier to write the letters of calligraphy in the right proportions, “he said.
In addition to using Arabic letters, first winner of MTQ-M UNAIR 2016 also combines his work using Java letters and some other font styles. Writing techniques are also developed not only manual but also digital. He combines contemporary calligraphic concepts with modern elements without diminishing the values of calligraphy.
“More simple with digital way, than manual. But there is more emotion in writing calligraphy by hand, because when writing, feelings and mindstate really involved. While digital just simply rearrange the available letters. And the results are of course different, “he said.
Although he is busy with college activities, the man born in March 1997 still spends time for his hobby. There is joy when he plays the tip of the pen and makes curves of letters.
“For me, working on calligraphy can be refreshing,” he said.
Whenever he has orders, he takes some time to brainstorm. The length of the sentence and the degree of difficulty in the formation of letters greatly affect the length of the process. This process often confuses him in setting the price.
“In Indonesia the appreciation for the art has not been very high, so I often had to give ‘friend price’. While people overseas greatly appreciate an art. Alhamdulillah when the orders from overseas, my work can worth millions of dollars, “he said.
In the future, Husada wants to develop the application of calligraphy art in the form of a personal calligraphy stamp.
“I do not think the personalized calligraphy stamp is here yet, generally a calligraphy stamp for the name of the institution. But this stamp is individual’s name. Unique and suitable for gifts, “he said. (*)
Author: Sefya Hayu Istighfaricha
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
