Calligraphy exhibition to convey Gandhi's message

In celebration of Gandhi's 150th Anniversary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and Dastkari Haat Samiti have collaborated to present a unique exhibition combining hand-made paper and calligraphy on the theme of Mahatma Gandhi. It explores images, symbols, words, and thoughts related to Mahatma Gandhi

For Gandhi Virasat – Kagazkala, 11 calligraphers from across the country have enthusiastically done 5-7 works each in their inimitable styles and regional scripts, collectively offering 61 works which are on display. They show how handmade paper and calligraphy enhances each other on beautifully textured canvases to convey Gandhi's deeply valuable messages to humanity.

The Dastkari Haat Samiti has been promoting the art of calligraphy in regional Indian scripts for the past seven years, to provide a visually aesthetic vocabulary for our craftspeople to explore and enhance their ability to use literacy in a way that is meaningful and adaptable to their traditional skills.

Hand-made papermaking is a part of India's craft skills, promoted avidly by Mahatma Gandhi as a means towards Independence and self-reliance in our village economies. Handmade papermaking involves the use of a large variety of waste materials that are eco-friendly, recycling them into a valuable asset. Organic materials were very much a part of our past, and are a crucial resource for a sustainable planet. Gandhi, who was far ahead of his times on issues of a sustainable planet and sustainable livelihoods, gave us many means to pursue these paths.

Hand-made paper is very much in demand in many countries. India has vast resources in skills and materials to fulfill this. The exhibition hopes to encourage policymakers, environmentalists, producers of hand-made paper, art and design students, architects and others to look closely at the beauty of our handmade papermaking traditions and be part of its survival and resurgence as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, as well as our planet and age-old skills.

The 11 eminent calligraphers whose works are presented at this exhibition are Qamar Dagar, Achyut Palav, Sarang Kulkarni, Shubhanand Jog, among others.The exhibition has been conceived and commissioned by Jaya Jaitly, President, Dastkari Haat Samiti, designed by Abaxial, projection art by Mandakini Pande, and implemented with the support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.