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Schedule, events, speaker lineup and exhibition details to be revealed shortly.
Akshar Mahotsav is India’s first and only dedicated celebration of World Calligraphy Day, envisioned as a national movement to revive, reinterpret, and reconnect with the subcontinent’s vast scriptural heritage. Organized annually by The Calligraphy Foundation, it has grown from a public awareness campaign into a multidisciplinary platform of cultural education and artistic pedagogy.
Akshar Mahotsav was launched with a clear cultural provocation: “अक्षर दिखेंगे नहीं तो सीखेंगे कैसे” — If scripts are not visible, how will they be learned?
At a time when handwriting is receding and visual engagement with Indian scripts is diminishing, Akshar Mahotsav emerged to make letters visible again—not as decorative symbols, but as carriers of civilisational knowledge.
Each edition of Akshar Mahotsav has responded to an evolving national need:
- First, to celebrate the beauty of Indian scripts
- Next, to conserve their cultural and material histories
- Now, to educate through them
The 2023 edition focused on ten major Indian scripts, highlighting their structural complexity and visual elegance through curated exhibitions and live writing demonstrations. The 2024 edition, under the theme “Lipikrit Bharat: Unveiling the Calligraphic Script Writing Traditions of Bharat”, showcase a broader spectrum—from Brahmi and Sharada to Modi, Gurmukhi, Malyalam, and beyond—positioning scripts as shared inheritances, not just regional identifiers.
Workshops
Akshar Mahotsav workshops are immersive, hands-on sessions designed to inspire, challenge, and nurture participants at every stage of their creative journey. Whether exploring the beauty of traditional scripts or experimenting with contemporary letterforms, each workshop offers an environment where learning and curiosity thrive.
What to Expect:
- Expert-led demonstrations paired with guided, hands-on practice.
- Exploration of tools, techniques, and materials
- Design thinking approaches to inspire originality and personal style.
- Takeaway resources and insights to continue your practice beyond the festival.
From calligraphy and lettering to allied art forms, these sessions are a chance to build skills, expand creative horizons, and connect with a vibrant community of fellow enthusiasts.
Talks
Engaging sessions featuring scholars, researchers, and well-read practitioners who share their insights on diverse topics related to calligraphy, history, design, and culture. These conversations open windows to new ideas, foster critical thinking, and encourage meaningful dialogue between speakers and the audience. Whether you are an artist, student, or curious learner, they offer fresh perspectives and inspire deeper exploration into the world of scripts, art, and beyond.
Sulekhan Kala Pradarshini –
Calligraphy Exhibition
At the heart of Akshar Mahotsav lies the Sulekhan Kala Pradarshini, a curated calligraphy exhibition celebrating scripts from India and around the world. Showcasing both eminent masters and emerging talents, the exhibition blends tradition and innovation – transforming letters into living art.
The Sulekhan Kala Pradarshini is not just an art show—it is a curated act of preservation and provocation. In an age where scripts are vanishing from public life, it insists that letters are not only for reading, but for seeing, feeling, and remembering.
Here, calligraphy becomes culture—every stroke a narrative of place, identity, and time. This is where the visual history of India’s scripts is not archived, but activated.
Live demonstrations
There’s a unique magic in watching a calligrapher at work—the quiet concentration, the measured movement of the hand, the graceful dance of ink across the page. Our live demonstration sessions provide visitors with the opportunity to witness this artistry in real-time.
But these demonstrations are more than just lessons—they are performances. Curated in open-air and amphitheater-style venues, each becomes a choreography of strokes and pauses, where calligraphy transforms from a skill into a living art form. The gestures of writing merge with rhythm, movement, and presence, inviting you to experience the script not just as letters on a page, but as a visual philosophy.
Navankur Activities
Our Navankur activities area is a heaven for young creatives. Featuring a variety of hands-on art and craft projects, this space encourages imagination and creativity. Supervised by friendly volunteers, children can explore their artistic potential in a fun and safe environment.
Artist & Vendor Stalls
Our stalls bring together calligraphy-related resources and experiences under one roof. Visitors can browse and purchase inks, pens, nibs, brushes, handmade paper, folders, notebooks, art prints, books, and unique calligraphy-inspired merchandise.
You’ll also meet the makers — artists who design and craft their own tools, share tips on their use, and demonstrate their specialties right at their stalls. Many stalls feature interactive activities where visitors can try their hand at creative projects. Activities have included postcard writing in beautiful scripts, paper mâché artwork, and dot mandala art. Each year brings fresh, engaging experiences for all ages, making the festival as much about participation as it is about appreciation.
Celebration of Indian scripts
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Calling Indian artists
Application open for AM’24 Sulekhan kala Pradarshini to exhibit your artforms!