Shabir Ali Beigh is a talented Kani Sozni embroiderer from Kashmir. He has received several state and national laurels. But recently, he had a life changing experience. “In last 40 years, I have never really picked up a pen. So I was as nervous and excited as a child, who goes to school for the first time. I learnt to write words in Kashmiri,” he says.
Shabir and many others craftsmen like him from across the country were specifically trained for “Akshara: Crafting Indian Scripts”, an exhibition by the Dastkaari Haat Samiti that intends to bring together calligraphy and craftsmanship.
The exhibition coallates 58 producer-groups, 13 languages and scripts and 15 craft, textile and artforms, covering 16 states of India. It will provide the craftsmen with a new range of designs that incorporates the ancient scripts with contemporary art.
“I realised that Indian regional scripts were dying a slow death. These scripts are immensely rich and beautiful and need to be given a new lease of life. On the other hand, Indian artisans are recognised world over for their skills, be it in embroidery, jewellery designing or pottery. However, most of them are not literate enough. I decided to bring together both the causes,” said Jaya Jaitly, founder and president, Dastkaari Haat Samiti.
She added that the show seeks to bring into public consciousness the knowledge and beauty residing in India’s regional scripts through the talents of highly skilled, but often “unlettered” craftspeople.
“I have spent my entire life in making jewellery. And for this exhibition, I have created two jewellery sets that incorporate the Tamil script. I got to learn something new. It is not always necessary to follow the staid norms,” smiles Rajkumar, a jewellery craftsman based in Delhi.
The artforms to be included in the show will include Madhubani, leather painting, silver work, stone carving and papier mache among others.
In addition, the show will also host the screening of a black and white film, Aksharakaram and the release of an artbook, based on use of Indian scripts on crafts in the past. However, the performance by noted Assamese folk singer, Angaraag Mahanta will be highlight of the event.
The exhibition will be on display from September 16-21 at Indian Habitat Centre