Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm, a unique multidisciplinary cultural initiative by QCCT, India International Centre (IIC) and EHSAAS, was inaugurated on January 29th, 2026 at the Main Art Gallery, Kamla Devi Complex, India International Centre, New Delhi. The opening evening witnessed an evocative confluence of calligraphy, Pashmina craft and Hindustani classical music, bringing together eminent artists, cultural practitioners, scholars and distinguished guests from diverse fields.
The exhibition will remain open to the public until February 8th, 2026.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Sudhanshu Mittal, BJP Spokesperson, as the Chief Guest. The event was further enriched by the presence of Guests of Honour and eminent invitees, including Dr. Sudhakar Sharma (Former Secretary, Lalit Kala Akademi), Guru Ranjana Gauhar (Padma Shri awardee and Odissi Guru), Guru Shovana Narayan (Padma Shri awardee and Kathak Guru), Fashion designers Jatin Kochar and Anurag Chauhan, Founder of Humans for Humanity, Raghav Chandra (Managing Director, Audi Delhi South), Rajdipa Behura (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court and High Court), Prof. Niren Sengupta (Eminent visual artist and former Principal, Delhi College of Art), Rashmi Vaidyalingam (Kuchipudi exponent, lawyer and theatre personality), Sujaya Krishnan (Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India), Niladri Paul (Eminent Visual Artist), Shridhar Iyer (Renowned Artist), Gagan Vij, sculptor and Gaurav Almal, Founder of Luxeglam Events.
Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm is a multidisciplinary exhibition that brings together calligraphy, Pashmina Shawls and Hindustani classical music on a single platform. The initiative comprises of a calligraphy solo exhibition by Qamar Dagar, curated by Manisha Gawade and Pashmina shawls by Ehsaas, and Hindustani Classical Dhrupad music by Ustaad Wasifuddin Dagar, Padma Shri awardee. The event includes a documentary on all three subjects curated and conceptualised by Manisha Gawade featuring Ustaad Wasifuddin Dagar, Qamar Dagar and Senior visual artists including Anki Bhutia, Manisha Gawade, Vimmi Indra, Sonaali Durga Chaudhri, Durga Kainthola, Shridhar Iyer, Niladri Paul, Prof. Niren Sengupta, Priyendra Shukla and Sculptor Gagan Vij, creating a collective dialogue between visual art, craft, music and cultural scholarship. The Urdu-Hindi script by Safiya Dagar, voice over by Hurmat Ali Khan, graphics by Abhijeet Kumar and audio video photography by Umesh Verma.
Curated by internationally renowned curator and artist Manisha Gawade, Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm brings together a solo calligraphy exhibition by Qamar Dagar, an exquisite showcase of Pashmina shawls by Ehsaas, and the timeless resonance of Dhrupad music. The inaugural evening was marked by a captivating vocal performance by Padma Shri awardee Ustaad Wasifuddin Dagar, representing the twentieth unbroken generation of the legendary Dagar Gharana.
The exhibition explores the dialogue between visual art, craft and music, creating a shared aesthetic and philosophical space where words, textiles and sound intersect. Qamar Dagar’s calligraphic works, created using inks, acrylics and the traditional qalam, reflect a profound engagement with language, form and emotion. Her practice reimagines words as living presences, where concepts such as Noor and Anjaam are translated into layered visual expressions shaped by intuition, rhythm and contemplation.
Deeply inspired by music and philosophy, Dagar’s calligraphy carries an inherent musicality. Letters and forms appear almost human—some ornate, others translucent—echoing relationships, vulnerability and presence. Her works invite viewers to experience language not merely as text, but as emotion and movement.
Complementing the visual narrative, the Pashmina showcase by Ehsaas foregrounds the richness and fragility of this historic craft tradition. Conceived as a conservation-driven initiative, Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm draws attention to the urgent challenges facing Pashmina weaving—from declining demand and dwindling artisan communities to the threat of cultural erosion.
The opening also featured a specially curated documentary conceptualised by Manisha Gawade, bringing together voices from across disciplines, including senior visual artists and cultural thinkers such as Anki Bhutia, Vimmi Indra, Sonaali Durga Chaudhri, Durga Kainthola, Shridhar Iyer, Niladri Paul, Prof. Niren Sengupta, Priyendra Shukla and sculptor Gagan Vij. The film, with Urdu-Hindi script by Safiya Dagar, voice-over by Hurmat Ali Khan, graphics by Abhijeet Kumar and audio-visual documentation by Umesh Verma, creates a collective dialogue between art, craft and cultural scholarship.
Speaking about the initiative, curator Manisha Gawade emphasised the need to protect India’s artistic heritage and the communities that sustain it. “Pashmina is not just a craft; it is a living legacy of extraordinary craftsmanship. Through Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm, we seek to create a meaningful platform where calligraphy, music and craft walk together, highlighting the urgency of conserving this endangered tradition and supporting the weavers and karigars who are its true custodians,” she said.
Reflecting on her artistic process, Qamar Dagar shared, “For me, calligraphy 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.”
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 reaffirms 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, set 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 safeguarding India’s cultural inheritance.
Media net Works
J – 34, Saket
New Delhi – 110 017
Ph : 011 42575282
Mob : +91 9810149436 /9210572029
Email : [email protected]; [email protected];
Website : www.medianetworks.co.in
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/MedianetWorksMnW/
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/medianetworks.india/
Twitter : https://x.com/Medianetworks34
