Meet the latest Artist of the Month... Kamaljeet! Whilst she always had creative roots, calligraphy is her true calling. After years in design, she is now flourishing as a successful artist, well renowned in the industry. Read on to find out more...
What is your background and when did your passion for Calligraphy and learning begin?
I am a postgraduate in Clothing and Textiles and have found my true calling in calligraphy, a medium that brings me immense satisfaction. I was always fascinated by letters and fonts. Even during school I would design and replicate different fonts from newspaper and magazine advertisements. I was encouraged to design magazine covers in school and college. My contribution as a cartoonist was highly appreciated. And then one day I was introduced to the tools of calligraphy and the magic of creating thick and thin strokes made my connection with the art form even stronger.
I would create watercolor artworks for clients to match their interiors. One day I calligraphed the Mool Mantra which is the first composition by Guru Nanak Dev ji in the holy book Guru Granth Sahib and was drawn towards its power. Doing Gurmukhi calligraphy gave me another level of peace and satisfaction. After exploring the Gurmukhi script for several years I came up with a unique cursive style which became my signature style.
I worked as a freelance artist for a Delhi-based brand for 10 years, designing t-shirts and calligraphy artwork with text from Gurbani (verses from Guru Granth Sahib) I left the company because an artist needs to be free to create.
My first solo show, Aneeq, exhibiting my Gurmukhi and Devanagari artworks, was in February 2011 and left a tremendous impact on my audience. I was featured and covered on several media platforms. My second solo show, Sadaf, was also a success. I participated in several group shows and was the first Gurmukhi calligraphy artist to represent the script at The 6 th International Exhibition of Calligraphy,
Contemporary Museum of Calligraphy, Moscow, Russia ( March 2015) Ever since then there has been no looking back. Recently I had my 3rd solo exhibition Ajooni, which was very well received and appreciated. This was in collaboration with my daughter Sehaj Kandhari who is a Post Graduate in Graphic Design and a Calligraphy Artist.
Who / Where do you take your inspiration from?
The Mool Mantra was my most satisfying expression. I have always felt Gurmukhi calligraphy is a divine blessing. This connects me with the Divine Power like nothing else! Being a Sikh, I feel it is my duty to work in my mother tongue. The younger generation needs to be inspired to be proud of their rich heritage. Being a pioneer in Contemporary Gurmukhi Calligraphy and being able to design a font so unique to my style has been my greatest efforts towards the script. As a versatile artist, I excel in watercolors and gilding but my true passion lies in calligraphy. Apart from Gurmukhi calligraphy I excel in Devnagri and English. Italics and Fraktur style are a favourite but Copperplate Calligraphy fascinates me.
What in your opinion is the hardest and the most rewarding parts of working in a creative industry?
In my opinion, the hardest parts of working in a creative industry include constantly upgrading techniques and staying updated with the latest technologies, marketing your work to stand out, navigating copyright issues and protecting your intellectual property from infringement, and continually investing time and resources to stay ahead. On the other hand, the most rewarding parts are the creative satisfaction that comes from bringing your ideas to life, the joy and happiness of seeing your work appreciated, and knowing that it has reached and impacted people all over the world. There's nothing quite like seeing your work become a part of so many different lives and knowing that you get to do what you love every day.
Do you have a favourite style?
Pictorial Calligraphy came as a beautiful addition to my style as it allows me more creative freedom. Its uniqueness and the beauty of the repetitive strokes give the viewer a visual delight. I absolutely enjoy rendering this art using my favorite metallics. Working on black paper with gold, copper and silver inks is what I love the most! I feel blessed to have created several artworks in this technique for my overseas clients. Portraits of Guru Nanak Dev ji, Guru Gobind Singh ji, Lord Krishna, Lord Hanuman, Lord Shiva, The Dancing Dervesh and Falcon have been the most appreciated ones. My recent work titled ‘The Golden Temple’ has been my best Pictorial Calligraphy creation so far. Gilding in pure gold and imitation gold is also my expertise. The brilliance of gold adds value and beauty.
What are the most exciting projects you have worked on and what are you working on at the moment?
An artwork titled ‘Painti Akhree’ (35 Alphabets) done on 35 canvases was my favorite project. It was done in mixed media and gold leaf, depicting our rich language. My love for my mother tongue has kept me going. I also did 11 shabads from the Guru Granth Sahib and four Laavaan the four hymns of the Anand Karaj ( Sikh Wedding Ceremony) calligraphy works for a Museum in Gurdwara BanglaSahib New Delhi.
Another notable work includes an exquisite artwork of the 10 Sikh Gurus in Pictorial Calligraphy with a flexible nib which was on display in my recent exhibition Ajooni in Chandigarh ( August 2025)
Preparing for a show needs years of hard work. You have to work on a collection that will draw the audience to something they will cherish for a lifetime. There is a lot of investment in terms of artworks, framing, advertisement but in the end it is worth every effort.
How does your work relate to your everyday life?
My work with holy scriptures brings divine guidance to everyday life, illuminating the path to righteousness and wisdom. These sacred texts answer life's profound questions, inspiring individuals to live a better, more meaningful life. By exploring their timeless teachings, people can cultivate compassion, wisdom, and inner peace, transforming their daily lives in profound ways. Ultimately, my work empowers others to live with purpose, guided by the scriptures' enduring truths.
What are your favourite tools to use?
My favorite mediums are watercolors, metallic paints and gold leaf. Working on a canvas is exciting as it gives a larger scope to express your ideas. Layering and texture add so much mystery and interest. My recent love for paper embossing has made me create several embossed works and I look forward to working more with this technique. Among the script styles, I love Gurmukhi, devnagri, English, Copperplate Calligraphy and Pictorial Calligraphy. Blue Pumpkin, Crown, Leonardt PEF are some of my favorite flexible nibs to work with.
What would your advice be to people new to the creative industry and any tips on how to get started?
To newcomers in the creative industry, I'd advise being authentic and finding your unique style. Copying others might bring temporary gains, but it won't help you build a lasting identity. Decide your worth and process your work with excellence, considering your experience and skills. Invest in good-quality materials from reputable brands to ensure your work stands out. Most importantly, strive to deliver more than what's expected to your clients, exceeding their expectations and building a strong reputation. By staying true to yourself and focusing on quality, you'll establish a strong foundation for a successful creative career.
I'm thrilled to share my art with your community here at Manuscript! Immense gratitude for inviting me as the Artist of the Month - it's an honor to collaborate with my favorite brand. I'm looking forward to showcasing my work and connecting with like-minded individuals. Your support means the world to me and I'm excited to be a part of this creative journey with Manuscript.
To see more of her beautiful work you can follow her Kamaljeet (@calligraphy_by_kamaljeet) and remember to follow @manuscriptpenco on social media where we will be showcasing her work throughout the month!
