New delhi: The Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has launched the first-ever Jamdani Exposition at the National Crafts Museum in the Indian capital, offering audiences a rare glimpse into Bangladesh’s most celebrated textile tradition. The five-day exposition, inaugurated on Friday, will remain open to visitors until September 23, according to a message received here today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the exposition has been curated by Indian craft and textile revivalist Chandrashekhar Bheda. The showcase brings together exquisite Jamdanis woven by Bangladesh’s master artisans, including two rare 150-year-old pieces. At the opening, Bheda underlined Jamdani’s uniqueness by stating that it cannot be replicated by machine, describing its sheer transparency and delicacy as “weaving magic that floats in the air.”
Adding conceptual depth, Chandrashekhar Saha, a leading figure in Bangladesh’s craft revival and former design head at Aarong, highlighted the fabric’s heritage. He noted that once, Bengal’s Muslin reigned supreme and that Jamdani stands on that same pedestal, emphasizing that it is an art that one must see and feel to understand, with hopes for its legacy to endure.
The ceremony also featured voices from India’s design and cultural fraternity. Padma Shri award-winning designer Sunita Kohli described Jamdani as “woven air,” and emphasized its historical significance, noting that emperors coveted it, traders carried it across seas, and poets struggled to capture its fineness. She remarked on UNESCO’s recognition of Jamdani as intangible cultural heritage, while she considered it intangible luxury, measured not by price, but by patience, time, and the human hand.
Celebrated filmmaker and designer Muzaffar Ali praised Jamdani as “a true delight of light and texture,” highlighting its potential to unite nations through a shared appreciation of craft. High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India M. Riaz Hamidullah, who conceptualized the exposition, mentioned that the initiative was inspired by the overwhelming response to Jamdanis displayed during Bangladesh’s Independence Day celebrations earlier this year. He expressed hope that more people would discover the timeless beauty of Jamdani through this exhibition.
Two national award-winning Jamdani weavers, Mohammad Jamal Hossain and Mohammad Sajeeb, are demonstrating live the intricate weaving process throughout the event, offering visitors firsthand insight into the artistry. The inauguration drew an eclectic gathering of diplomats, artists, filmmakers, and textile connoisseurs from India and beyond, marking the exposition as a cultural bridge and celebration of shared heritage.