Srinagar, April 21 —Tabish Haider Gazi, a cultural practitioner from Srinagar, has secured a prestigious place in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s program in Managing Art and Cultural Heritage in Global Markets (MAGMa), a highly competitive, fully funded program supported by the European Union for studies at leading universities across Europe.
Gazi has also received admission offers from several renowned institutions, including the MA in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship at Goldsmiths, University of London, and the MSc in Creative Industries and Cultural Policy at the University of Glasgow.
Born in Srinagar, Gazi was inspired by his father’s deep involvement with regional crafts and Perso-Arabic calligraphy.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, “What began as an appreciation for aesthetics has since evolved into a dynamic force for change. As a minority Shia Muslim and an artist, my experiences have deepened my commitment to fostering solidarity with those who share similar identities.”
Gazi’s work in preserving and promoting Kashmiri heritage includes leading a project funded by The Barakat Trust (UK), documenting architectural epigraphy across 40 heritage sites, which culminated in the exhibition Naqsh-i Dawām.
He also worked on a Prince Claus Fund-supported initiative to protect two of Kashmir’s oldest 17th-century graveyards.
His time as a Young India Fellow at Ashoka University was instrumental in shaping his academic and professional growth.
“The Young India Fellowship was a life-changing opportunity that acted as both a pause and a provocation, broadening my horizons in ways I could not have anticipated,” he said.
Despite challenges posed by the conflict in Kashmir, Gazi credits his family, mentors, and friends for their unwavering support.
“They stood by me when I struggled to find meaning in my work. In moments when art felt like a burden, they reminded me to celebrate life,” he shared.
Gazi's acceptance into the Erasmus Mundus MAGMa program represents a major step in his efforts to promote and preserve Kashmiri culture on the global stage.