Handmade Paper and the Art of Sanjhi

Creating Masterpieces Using Handmade Paper and Scissors

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Dastkari Haat Samiti

Calligraphy by Rajeev Kumar.Dastkari Haat Samiti

A History of Handmade paper and Paper Cutting

Handmade paper is extremely popular among artists and calligraphers. One would think the uneven texture would not allow for smooth writing. Old Tibetan manuscripts written on fairly rough, textured handmade paper proves this impression incorrect. Japan, China, Thailand and Nepal have used handmade paper from rice, the mulberry plant, the argeli plant and Egypt created paper out of the papyrus plant for its exquisite Arabic calligraphy.

The calligraphy workshop The calligraphy workshopDastkari Haat Samiti

Calligraphy, the art of writing has many names in India. Called su-lekhan (su meaning beautiful and lekhan meaning writing), khushan visi, su-lipi, sulekh kala, in Hindi, khushkhati, khush nafisi, kitaabat, suloos, and khattaati in Arabic, Persian or Urdu, they all refer to the beautiful art of writing.

These find a true partner in handmade paper especially when the texture does not soak in too much ink from a pen.

Detail of calligraphy (2018-07-01) by Qamar DagarDastkari Haat Samiti

Brushwork, writing with bamboo pens, or even a simple sketch pen gives highly aesthetic and beautiful results when a calligrapher’s sure and thoughtful flourish lights up the paper.

The calligraphy of Japan, China and Korea where a few black brush strokes bring magical art to rich cream-coloured paper.

India’s calligraphy flourished during Mughal times, when Persian calligraphers wrote manuscripts illustrated and illuminated by Hindu painters or vice versa.

One of the processes in paper making at the Elrhino factory (2018-06-01) by Elrhino Eco Industries Pvt. Ltd.Dastkari Haat Samiti

Paper making happened in many parts of India at that time, in spite of having 22 official languages, 13 scripts and over 700 identified dialects, Independent India has never been known internationally for its calligraphy.

It has many forms of classical and folk art, but although artistic sensibilities of its creative communities are high and widespread, they never extended to calligraphy.

Exhibition at Paris Exhibition at ParisDastkari Haat Samiti

Perhaps this was largely because the communities that painted or crafted did not value or feel the need for being literate. The skills of writing were left to those upper classes that served temples, kings or governments.

Calligraphers who continued valiantly were all Muslim, as the value of writing was originally attributed to the fact that the Prophet Mohammad’s sacred words needed to be written beautifully, so all holy sayings were inscribed lovingly and artistically on whatever surface was chosen.

Calligrapher Jamyang Dorjee demonstrates his skill (2018-05-01) by Jamyang DorjeeDastkari Haat Samiti

Calligraphers practicing in multiple Indian scripts are few, but, in the 21st century, there are a growing number, demonstrating, displaying and selling their art works in galleries, schools and at prestigious international events.

The papers acquired from hosiery waste, elephant and rhinoceros dung and the argeli plant were given to four prominent calligraphers of India, Jamyang Dorjee, Rajeev Kumar, Qamar Dagar and Irshad Farooqi, and Sanjhi paper artist Ram Soni, to enhance the visual and tactile experience of exploring handmade paper with their art.

Artist Ram Soni cutting paper (2015-10-01) by Ram SoniDastkari Haat Samiti

Ram Soni from Rajasthan practices another unique craft style called Sanjhi, using handmade paper.

Sanjhi paper cutting art (2018-07-01) by Ram SoniDastkari Haat Samiti

It involves using just a tiny pair of special scissors. The texture of the paper matters as it has to be stiff and strong, while preferably still retaining a translucent quality.

Crafts Maps of India - Uttar Pradesh - Back - 2 (1993-2010) by Ram Lal SoniDastkari Haat Samiti

Soni is another accomplished national awardee who has made Sanjhi images for a craft and calligraphy exhibition that has travelled to many countries.

Table top lamp with handmade paper cut design and calligraphy (1905-07-02) by Dastkari Haat SamitiDastkari Haat Samiti

Ram Soni’s Sanjhi calligraphy is transformed into a wood and paper table top lamp in handmade paper.

On one side is a tree with cattle taking shelter below it. On the right are the words made famous by Mahatma Gandhi about how a tree stands all day in the sun, yet gives everyone shade. He says vriksh ki mati le which means, 'let us learn from the tree’.

The beauty of handmade paper is highlighted as the light inside shines through. The words and design serve as a reminder that trees are saved if we use handmade paper.

Calligraphy art (2018-04-01) by Ram SoniDastkari Haat Samiti

Ram Soni has very finely cut out a bamboo plant with birds on green handmade paper created out of textile waste.

Calligraphy art (2018-04-02) by Ram SoniDastkari Haat Samiti

Ram Soni’s penchant for trees can be seen in its fullest expression in this image of multiple trees in a forest in Sanjhi art on handmade paper.

The visual and tactile experience of handmade paper, made using hosiery waste, elephant and rhinoceros dung and the argeli plant, gets enhanced in the hands of an artist like Ram Soni.

Calligraphy on elephant dung paper (2018-06-01) by Rajeev KumarDastkari Haat Samiti

Read more about calligraphy in India here:
-Calligraphy in Sikkim
-Rajeev Kumar
-Qamar Dagar

Irshad Farooqui
Credits: Story

Text: Jaya Jaity
Photography: Chirodeep Chaudhuri, Subinoy Das, Charu Verma, Rajeev Kumar,
Artisans: Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Salim Kagzi,Vijender Singh Shekhawat, Mahesh Bora, Borung-Polok, Jamyang Dorjee, Rajeev Kumar, Qamar Dagar, Irshad Hussain Farooqi, Ram Soni
Ground Facilitator: Jaya Jaitly, Charu Verma, Subinoy Das
Documentary Video: Charu Verma, Chirodeep Chaudhuri, Subinoy Das, Jaya Jaitly
Curation: Ruchira Verma


Read more about handmade paper industry in India here:

-Research and Technology
-Production
-Products
-Rajasthan Story
-Assam Story
-Sikkim Story

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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