IGNCA hosts exhibition celebrating women’s contributions to Constitution

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) inaugurated ‘Neev: Bharatiya Samvidhan ki Mahila Shilpi’, an exhibition on Wednesday that celebrates the contributions of the fifteen women members of the Constituent Assembly. Organised by IGNCA’s Kalakosa Division and the Nari Samvad Prakalp under the Ministry of Culture, the event was inaugurated by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The exhibition features rare archival materials and interpretative displays that bring attention to the pivotal role played by women in the creation of India’s Constitution. A special panel discussion on “The Role of Women in Constitution Making” was held, with Culture Secretary Vivek Agrawal, academician Prof. Alka Chawla, and IGNCA Member Secretary Sachchidanand Joshi participating in the discussion.

In his address, Shekhawat highlighted that Constitution Day marks not only 75 years of India’s constitutional journey but also the culmination of a year-long national commemoration. He stressed that the Constitution had transformed India’s hard-won independence into a unified national framework, dispelling global scepticism about the country’s diversity.

“The Constitution is not merely a text but a living commitment to justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity,” Shekhawat said. Praising the exhibition, he noted that the contributions of women such as Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Hansa Mehta, Dakshayani Velayudhan, and others should be valued for their vision and courage, rather than the small number of women in the Assembly.

Culture Secretary Vivek Agrawal described the Constitution as the “fundamental spirit” of national life, serving as the foundation for rights, duties, federalism, and democratic accountability. He emphasised the resilience of its basic structure, particularly in the face of challenges.

Prof. Chawla highlighted the significant interventions made by women in the Assembly, including Hansa Mehta’s push to replace ‘all men’ with ‘all human beings’, and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur’s advocacy for health. She emphasised that true equality must be grounded in equal opportunities across all sectors.

IGNCA Member Secretary Sachchidanand Joshi remarked that the event marked a historic moment in the ongoing celebrations of India’s Constitution. He announced that the ‘Neev’ exhibition is being displayed simultaneously at multiple regional centres and is expected to reach around 1,000 educational institutions over the coming months. A special documentary tracing the 75-year journey of the Constitution was also screened.

The event saw a large turnout of students, researchers, and cultural practitioners, reflecting continued public interest in India’s constitutional heritage.