In a vibrant display of cultural diplomacy, the Bangladesh High Commission in India inaugurated the first-ever Jamdani Exposition at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi on Friday, offering Indian audiences a rare and exclusive glimpse into Bangladesh’s most iconic textile tradition.
The showcase, held under the theme “A Living Heritage from Bangladesh,” comes just ahead of Durga Puja and highlights Bangladesh’s growing emphasis on strengthening people-to-people ties with India following a change in leadership in Dhaka. The exhibition, which will remain open until September 23, features some of the finest examples of Jamdani weaving, including two rare 150-year-old pieces. It’s co-curated by Chandrasekhar Saha from Bangladesh and Chandrasekhar Veda from Indi. The event brings together master artisans from Bangladesh to celebrate a tradition that UNESCO has recognised as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. “Jamdani cannot be replicated by machine,” said Bheda at the inauguration.
“Its sheer transparency and delicacy are like weaving magic that floats in the air.” Adding depth to the exposition, Bangladeshi craft revivalist Chandrashekhar Saha, former design head at Aarong, said: “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.” High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, who conceptualized the exposition, said the idea was born during Bangladesh’s Independence Day celebrations earlier
this year. “We displayed a few Jamdanis, and 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.”
The event was inaugurated by Hamidullah alongside celebrated Indian filmmaker and designer Muzaffar Ali, and Padma Shri awardee Sunita Kohli, who both highlighted Jamdani’s cultural significance. “Emperors coveted it, traders carried it across seas, and poets struggled to capture its fineness,” Kohli said. “UNESCO calls it intangible cultural heritage — I call it intangible luxury, measured not by price, but by patience, time, and the human hand.”
Ali added that Jamdani was “a delight of light and texture — a beauty that can unite nations through a shared appreciation of craft.” Two national award-winning weavers, Mohammad Jamal Hossain and Mohammad Sajeeb, have also been flown in from Bangladesh to demonstrate live the intricate art of Jamdani weaving during the exhibition.
The inauguration drew a diverse gathering of diplomats, artists, and textile connoisseurs, further reinforcing the High Commission’s goal of fostering cultural connectivity across borders. In another symbolic gesture ahead of Durga Puja, the Bangladesh High Commission also confirmed the arrival of 37 metric tonnes of Hilsa fish into India on September 18 — a seasonal delicacy treasured in Bengali households on both sides of the border. “This is not about market economics — it’s a gesture,” said Hamidullah. “Despite borders, we are part of the same cultural fraternity.” While the Hilsa is already en route to cities such as Kolkata and Guwahati, its distribution in Delhi will depend on market demand. The envoy emphasized that the fish is being sold at rates lower than retail prices in Bangladesh as a goodwill offering during the festive season. “No politics,” Hamidullah stressed. “People-to-people engagement is not just a phrase — cultural touchpoints like these truly bind us.”
Observers note that since the recent political transition in Dhaka, Bangladesh has actively pursued stronger bilateral ties through both diplomatic and cultural channels — from trade discussions to showcasing shared heritage. As Durga Puja nears, Bangladesh’s twin outreach — through textile and taste — offers a compelling reminder of the enduring power of culture in diplomacy.
