Republic Day Calligraphy Exhibition in Pune Bridges Indian and French Artistic Traditions
As India celebrates Republic Day, a unique cultural exhibition in Pune demonstrates how the country's strength lies in its rich tapestry of cultural diversity through the art of calligraphy. Scripted Dialogues—A Calligraphic Conversation brings together centuries-old Indian and French calligraphic traditions in a remarkable display of artistic fusion at The Ravi Paranjape Studio.
A Multilingual Artistic Encounter
Visitors entering the exhibition encounter fascinating works that blend languages and scripts in unexpected ways. Rangila Maro Dholna appears painted simultaneously in Gujarati and French, translating to "my colourful lover." Sanskrit mantras about happiness are cleverly hidden within French quotes that ponder the very nature of joy. Bengali poetry pays homage to both Rabindranath Tagore and Victor Hugo, creating a poetic bridge between continents through translation and visual art.
Gurmukhi letterforms echo the architectural vision of Le Corbusier while embedding traditional Punjabi values of equality. These artistic visions form part of the exhibition curated by Alliance Française, India's cultural initiative, running through January 27th in Pune.
Two Distinct Calligraphic Lineages Converge
The exhibition represents a meeting of two distinct calligraphic traditions separated by centuries and continents. Indian calligraphy traces its origins to the dispersal of Indic scripts across Central and Southeast Asia by traders, monks, and missionaries. The Brahmi script, evolving from Indus Valley writing, became the foundation for nearly every major script on the Indian subcontinent, including:
- Devanagari
- Bengali
- Tamil
- Gurmukhi
In contrast, French calligraphy developed from the Latin alphabet rather than indigenous scripts. Beginning in medieval monasteries, it evolved through Gothic and Ronde scripts that remained in official use until the 20th century, representing a tradition of power, institution, and standardization.
Eight Artists, Seven Scripts, Eight Languages
The exhibition features 23 calligraphic works by eight artists engaging with seven scripts and eight languages. These works blend Indic and French influences while exploring diverse themes including:
- Cultural narratives
- Poetic fragments
- Philosophical concepts
- Historical references
- Architectural elements
- Design principles
Devanagari, the script most closely associated with Sanskrit, Hindi, and Marathi, becomes a creative playground for artists like Sudeep Gandhi, Nikheel Aphale, and Achyut Palav. Palav, a Padma Shri recipient, has become synonymous with modernizing Devanagari practice while honoring its traditions.
Suresh Waghmore's work with Kannada script represents a more contemporary approach, employing experimental techniques through freestyle and traditional variants that feel both ancient and urgent. Qamar Dagar combines Hindi and Urdu scripts, representing a nuanced school shaped by Mughal influence on Indian writing, descending from Persian and Arabic calligraphic practices.
Republic Day Reflections on Cultural Strength
On the backdrop of Republic Day celebrations, these calligraphic works powerfully demonstrate that India's greatest strength lies in allowing diverse cultures to converse, collide, and create anew. The exhibition's inauguration on January 24th saw the presence of Amélie Weigel, Alliance Française Pune's Director, calligrapher Sanjeev Joshi, and numerous enthusiasts of calligraphy and French culture.
Sanjeev Joshi, an architect by profession and serious calligraphy hobbyist, offers a unique perspective on the art form. "These are paintings first," he insists about his works. "They're deliberately abstract, even illegible. But that's the point. They ask you to experience, not just read."
Joshi argues that calligraphy has been wrongly classified as commercial art for too long. "It's a fine art, and to a fair extent, a performing art too," he explains, suggesting that the act of creation itself constitutes the artistic experience. Joshi also conducted a calligraphy workshop at the exhibition, teaching participants the basics of both Devanagari and Roman scripts.
Curatorial Vision and Cultural Exchange
The exhibition has been meticulously curated by Padmaja Srivastava from Alliance Française, Bhopal, as part of the organization's cultural initiatives in India. Through this artistic dialogue between Indian and French calligraphic traditions, the exhibition celebrates the universal language of art while honoring specific cultural identities.
As India marks another Republic Day, this Pune exhibition serves as a timely reminder that cultural diversity represents not division but strength—a strength manifested through artistic expression that transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries while celebrating unique heritage.
