In a world of emojis and quick DMs, calligraphy feels like a long-lost art we’ve forgotten to appreciate. Once a powerful way of storytelling, it’s now something we rarely pause to notice—fading slowly into the background of our fast-paced digital lives.
Recently, on our trip to the Museo Camera Gurgaon, this is exactly what we experienced at an event showcasing 100 Pipers The Legacy Project. Launched in 2019, this initiative is all about reviving and celebrating India’s cultural heritage through its traditional art forms. This year, the spotlight was on something truly special — Indian calligraphy. Once the pride of our literary heritage, it has now become something we rarely see – until now.
The event kicked off with Kalki Koechlin, the host of the evening, who brought the theme of "Goodness" to life with her heartfelt words. As she spoke about how calligraphy ties us to our roots, it was hard not to feel the magic of this art form—preserving stories and connecting us to generations long gone. The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of limited-edition packs, each inspired by India’s regional calligraphy styles, including Bengali, Gurmukhi, Devanagari, Telugu, and Kannada. From Rabindranath Tagore’s thoughts on materialism to a celebration of linguistic pride and environmental awareness, these weren’t just stunning to look at – they were immersive stories in themselves. We also heard from two incredible contemporary calligraphy artists, Nikheel Aphale and Tarun Deep who gave us a glimpse into their creative processes.
By the end of the night, we couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of pride for Indian calligraphy. It wasn’t just about reviving an old art form – it was about rediscovering something that connects us to our past, and reminds us of who we are.
