Bangladesh High Commission unveils first-ever Jamdani exposition in Delhi
Conceptualised by Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah, the exposition, according to him, was born from a serendipitous moment
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Friday (19 September) inaugurated the first-ever 'Jamdani Exposition' at the National Crafts Museum, offering Indian audiences an exclusive glimpse into the intricate artistry of Bangladesh's most celebrated weave.
Conceptualised by Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India M Riaz Hamidullah, the exposition, according to him, was born from a serendipitous moment, reads a press release.
"During our Independence Day anniversary celebrations this year, we displayed a few Jamdanis. The overwhelming response inspired us to take it a step further," he said. "Through this exhibition, we hope more people discover the timeless beauty of Jamdani."
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Curated by renowned Indian craft and textile revivalist Chandrashekhar Bheda, the showcase brings together some of the finest Jamdanis woven by Bangladesh's master artisans, including two rare 150-year-old pieces.
"Jamdani cannot be replicated by machine," Bheda noted at the inauguration. "Its sheer transparency and delicacy are like weaving magic that floats in the air."
Adding conceptual depth to the exposition, co-curator Chandrashekhar Saha, a pioneering force in Bangladesh's craft revival and a former design leader at Aarong, underlined the fabric's lineage: "Once, Bengal's Muslin reigned supreme. Jamdani stands on that same pedestal–an art you must see and feel to understand. Let us hope its legacy endures."
The inauguration also drew voices from India's design and cultural fraternity. Padma Shri award-winning designer Sunita Kohli evoked Jamdani's storied past, once described as "woven air."
"Emperors coveted it, traders carried it across seas, and poets struggled to capture its fineness. UNESCO calls it intangible cultural heritage–I call it intangible luxury, measured not by price, but by patience, time, and the human hand."
Celebrated filmmaker and designer Muzaffar Ali added a cinematic note, calling Jamdani "a true delight of light and texture, a beauty that can unite nations through a shared appreciation of craft."
Two national award-winning Jamdani weavers, Mohammad Jamal Hossain and Mohammad Sajeeb–each with over two decades of experience–have been flown in from Bangladesh to demonstrate live the intricate process of weaving Jamdani at the exposition.
The inauguration ceremony drew an eclectic gathering of distinguished guests, including envoys from dozens of countries, alongside artists, filmmakers, and textile connoisseurs.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors daily until September 23, said the high commission.
