A Rendezvous with Indian Traditional Jewellery authored by Dr. Alka Raghuvanshi and Curated by Manisha Gawade

Ehaaas and Shubhi Publications presented the book launch of Dr. Alka Raghuvanshi’s last written book, “A RENDEZVOUS WITH TRADITIONAL INDIAN JEWELLERY” on the occasion of her 63rd birth anniversary. The book is curated by Manisha Gawade and photographed by Avinash Pasricha.

The inauguration was done by Mr. Amitabh Kant, Former CEO of the Niti Aayog and Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts on Sunday, April 7th, 2024 at the India International Centre, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi at 6:30pm.

On the occasion Amitabh Kant, former CEO of Niti Ayog Said, “My sincerest congratulations on the launch of ‘A Rendezvous with Traditional Indian Jewellery.’ Dr. Alka Raghuvanshi’s final masterpiece, crafted with love and dedication, immortalizes the enduring beauty of Indian jewellery. Like these timeless pieces of jewellery, her legacy continues to shine, inspiring craft and culture that transcend time and space, reminding us that true beauty lasts forever.”

Paying a heartfelt tribute to her sister, Manisha Gawade, Director of Ehsaas said, “I feel very satisfied that although it took me a good six months to be able to design and curate it and do justice to Alka’s last work but I am so happy to be able to finally bring it to the world in print form. Ehsaas is also very happy to launch its first Ehsaas Awards for Arts in Alka’s memory. They say she’s gone, but I say she hasn’t, because a legend always lives on. She forever will remain immortal through her work and will continue to inspire millions across the globe. This show is to honour the legacy of an extraordinary individual and my beloved sister Dr. Alka Raghuvanshi.”

Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi said, “India’s cultural strength lies in its rich diversity and Jewellery is a striking example of this. We can see the elegance of craftsmanship and range of creativity related to Jewellery even on ancient sculptures. It is unfortunate that there have been very few efforts to document this important tradition of India. Alka Raghuvanshi has been a person who was passionate to do this kind out monumental work. This book on “Traditional Indian Jewellery” is a document which would be a guiding document for the future generations. My kudos to Avinash Pasricha for eye-catching photography and Manisha Gawade for thoughtful curation.”

Ehsaas, founded by the two sisters Dr. Alka Raghuvanshi and Manisha Gawade, who are both internationally acclaimed Artists, curators and journalists, to promote Indian Arts the world over. Ehsaas announced its first ever Ehsaas Awards for Arts including lifetime achievement, Ehsaas award of excellence as well as Ehsaas Star Awards.

The Lifetime Achievement Awards were bestowed to well renowned, Gurus Raja & Radha Reddy (Padma Bhushan) for Dance who shared their happiness with the words, “We are immensely happy to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Ehsaas Organisation by Alka Raghuvanshi and Manisha Gawade for our dedication to our Bharatiya Natya Sampradayam, our country’s heritage. We have known Alka since our arrival to Delhi. She was a great scholar and she knew our dedication for Kuchipudi Classical Dance.“ The second Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Prof. Niren Sengupta for Visual Arts.

Awards of Excellence were awarded to luminaries like Shovana Narayan (Padma Shri) for Kathak Dance, Guru Ranjana Gauhar (Padma Shri) for Odissi Dance who expressed her gratitude by sharing her thoughts as, “I am delighted and overwhelmed to receive the award of excellence on the occasion of Alka’s book lunch by Ehsaas. Every award has great value in the life of an artist but this one is very special and close to my heart as it is in the memory of my very dear friend Alka. I thank Manisha and Ehsaas for this special honour.”

Wasifuddin Dagar (Padma Shri) was presented with Award of Excellence for Vocal Music, he expressed his thoughts saying, “Receiving an award always feels special as it is an acknowledgement that we may have done something worthy. Ehsaas truly lives up to its meaning, dedicated to arts, artists and culture & Alka’s Ehsaas is very evident and alive. My warmest wishes and congratulations to Manisha. Truly happy and privileged to receive this award. I am very happy to be an integral part of Ehsaas since 2012 ever since it began and proud of the fact that it has done pioneering work in the field of arts”.

Humbled to be honoured with the Award for Odissi Dance, celebrated maestro Guru Sharon said, “This award is very dear to my heart as Alka Raghuvanshi’s Ehsaas reflects the finest collaborative excellence of arts and artists. It is an honor to receive this legacy award.”

Smt. Sonal Kalra (Chief Managing Editor, Hindustan Times) for Journalism, Smt. Rashmi Vaidialingam for Theatre and Dance who was delighted to receive her award and said, “It is so appropriate that Manisha is taking Alka’s legacy forward. She truly was a multifaceted & charismatic personality. A connoisseur of all Art forms. Delighted to receive this award. Will cherish it always” and Sadhna Srivastav for Television. Ehsaas Star Awards was also given to Radhika Chopra- the queen of Ghazals and Sanjay Arya for Art Book Publishing.

The star-studded evening was made even more memorable by the nightingale of Ghazals, Radhika Chopra who gave a special performance in memory of the author.

The book is Supported by Dhoomimal Gallery and Delhi Public School, Allahabad and Gorakhpur as well as Indus Valley Public School Lucknow, Rath, Mahoba & Noida.

It is awe inspiring that Sanjay Arya, C.E.O of Shubhi Publications, brought out this book in a record time so beautifully within two weeks.