The exhibition brings together calligraphy, Pashmina craft and Hindustani classical music, creating a rare cultural confluence that foregrounds India’s living artistic traditions
.jpg)
Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm, a multidisciplinary cultural initiative by QCCT, India International Centre (IIC) and EHSAAS, was inaugurated on January 29, 2026, at the Main Art Gallery, Kamla Devi Complex, India International Centre. The exhibition brings together calligraphy, Pashmina craft and Hindustani classical music, creating a rare cultural confluence that foregrounds India’s living artistic traditions.
The opening evening saw the presence of artists, scholars, cultural practitioners and distinguished guests from diverse fields. Sudhanshu Mittal, BJP spokesperson, attended the inauguration as Chief Guest. Guests of Honour and eminent invitees included Dr. Sudhakar Sharma, former Secretary of the Lalit Kala Akademi; Padma Shri awardees Guru Ranjana Gauhar and Guru Shovana Narayan; fashion designers Jatin Kochar and Anurag Chauhan; visual artists and cultural figures such as Prof. Niren Sengupta, Niladri Paul, Shridhar Iyer and sculptor Gagan Vij, among several others from the worlds of art, law, culture and industry.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until February 8, 2026.Curated by internationally renowned curator and artist Manisha Gawade, Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm features a solo calligraphy exhibition by Qamar Dagar, an exhibition of Pashmina shawls by Ehsaas, and a Hindustani classical Dhrupad presentation by Padma Shri awardee Ustaad Wasifuddin Dagar of the legendary Dagar Gharana. The inaugural evening was marked by a captivating vocal performance by Ustaad Wasifuddin Dagar, representing the twentieth unbroken generation of the Dagar musical lineage.
The exhibition explores the dialogue between visual art, craft and music, creating a shared aesthetic and philosophical space where word, textile and sound intersect. Qamar Dagar’s calligraphic works, created using inks, acrylics and the traditional qalam, reflect a deep engagement with language, form and emotion. Her practice reimagines words as living presences, translating concepts such as Noor and Anjaam into layered visual expressions shaped by rhythm, intuition and contemplation.
Deeply inspired by music and philosophy, Dagar’s calligraphy carries an inherent musicality, with letters and forms appearing almost human,at times ornate, at times translucent—evoking vulnerability, presence and connection. The works invite viewers to experience language not merely as text, but as movement and emotion.
Complementing the visual narrative, the Pashmina showcase by Ehsaas highlights the richness and fragility of this historic craft tradition. Conceived as a conservation-driven initiative, the exhibition draws attention to the challenges facing Pashmina weaving, including declining demand, shrinking artisan communities and the risk of cultural erosion.
A specially curated documentary, conceptualised by Manisha Gawade, was also unveiled as part of the opening. Featuring voices from across disciplines,including senior visual artists and cultural thinkers,the film creates a collective dialogue between art, craft, music and cultural scholarship. The documentary includes an Urdu-Hindi script by Safiya Dagar, voice-over by Hurmat Ali Khan, graphics by Abhijeet Kumar and audio-visual documentation by Umesh Verma.
Speaking about the initiative, curator Manisha Gawade underlined the urgency of safeguarding India’s artistic heritage. “Pashmina is not just a craft; it is a living legacy of extraordinary craftsmanship. Through Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm, we aim to create a platform where calligraphy, music and craft walk together, while drawing attention to the need to support the weavers and artisans who are its true custodians,” she said.
Reflecting on her practice, Qamar Dagar noted that calligraphy, for her, begins with listening,to the word, its meaning and its silence. “When language becomes visual and musical, it transforms into something deeply personal and alive,” she said.
Ustaad Wasifuddin Dagar described Dhrupad as a meditative journey where sound, breath and silence converge, adding that the coming together of classical traditions strengthens their continuity and reinforces the need to preserve shared cultural heritage.
Part of Ehsaas 2026: Eminent Artists of India Unite to Save the Pashmina Legacy, Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm celebrates the timeless traditions of calligraphy and Pashmina against the spiritual depth of Dhrupad music. Rooted in history yet resonant with contemporary relevance, the exhibition invites audiences to experience art as a living continuum and to engage with the urgent task of preserving India’s cultural inheritance.