Shabbir Ahmed is 80 plus, however he keeps himself busy carving Quranic ayahs on metal plate. He has completed the carving of 2 paras on metal sheets during 3 to 4 years. He works for nearly 6 hours and carves 2 lines a day. His age is 83 he told that he was on the post of chief designer in Government Printing Press. He was retired from the post in 2009. After which he decided to do a work which should be distinctive and which can also reward him in the Hereafter. He has learned the art from his father late Muhammad Abdul Kareem who was a good calligrapher of his time. Mr. Muhammad Abdul Kareem worked with Salarjung III.
Shabbir Ahmed recalls that once he went to Salarjung III along with his father there Salarjung III asked his father ‘Abdul Kareem who will take of your art after you”. In reply to the question Muhammad Abdul Kareem pointed towards young Shabbir Ahmed. Since then Shabbir Ahmed started learning the art.
Shabbir Ahmed told that he begins his work at 8 to 9 in the morning and works till 3:30 in the afternoon. He starts his work after performing ablution.
Special correspondent