A Unique Cultural Confluence of Calligraphy, Pashmina and Hindustani Classical Music

Ehsaas-e-Qalam aur Pashm, a multidisciplinary cultural initiative by QCCT, India International Centre (IIC) and EHSAAS, was inaugurated on January 29, 2026, at IIC. The exhibition will remain open to the public until February 8, 2026.


The opening evening unfolded as an evocative confluence of calligraphy, Pashmina craft and Hindustani classical music, drawing eminent artists, cultural practitioners, scholars and distinguished guests from diverse fields.

The evening also saw the presence Sudhanshu Mittal, Dr. Sudhakar Sharma, former Secretary of Lalit Kala Akademi; Padma Shri awardees and classical dance gurus Ranjana Gauhar and Shovana Narayan; fashion designers Jatin Kochar and Anurag Chauhan; Raghav Chandra, Managing Director, Audi Delhi South; Rajdipa Behura, Senior Advocate; Prof. Niren Sengupta, eminent visual artist and former Principal, Delhi College of Art; Rashmi Vaidyalingam, Kuchipudi exponent and theatre personality; Sujaya Krishnan, former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; and artists Niladri Paul, Shridhar Iyer and sculptor Gagan Vij, among others.

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 Hindustani classical 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, rendered using inks, acrylics and the traditional qalam, engage deeply with language, form and emotion. Concepts such as Noor and Anjaam are reimagined through layered visual expressions shaped by intuition, rhythm and contemplation, inviting viewers to experience language as movement and feeling rather than text alone.

​Complementing the visual narrative, the Pashmina showcases the richness and fragility of this historic craft tradition. Conceived as a conservation-driven initiative, the exhibition draws attention to the pressing challenges facing Pashmina weaving, including declining demand, shrinking artisan communities and the risk 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 features an Urdu-Hindi script by Safiya Dagar, voice-over by Hurmat Ali Khan, graphics by Abhijeet Kumar, and audio-visual documentation by Umesh Verma, creating a collective dialogue between art, craft and cultural scholarship.

Speaking about the initiative, curator Manisha Gawade emphasised 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 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.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”