India’s cultural heritage shines in Delhi for UNESCO meeting

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, July 20

As India prepares to host the delegates of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee from July 21 to July 31, the Capital has undergone a vibrant transformation. In a stunning display of art and culture, the Central Government, along with a dedicated group of artists, has adorned Delhi with new murals, paintings, plants and sculptures, setting the stage for the 46th edition of the committee’s meeting.

In celebration of this prestigious event, the Ministry of Culture has launched Project PARI (Public Art of India), an initiative aimed at fostering dialogue, reflection and inspiration through public art. This project, executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art, seeks to merge India’s rich cultural heritage with modern artistic expressions.

“The beautification of the Capital began late last month, and from July 1, more than 150 artists from across the country started creating new artworks,” shared an official from the akademi. “This is the first time such a large-scale art project has been undertaken in India, with significant contributions from women artists,” he added.

Visitors to Delhi can now witness a diverse array of art forms in one place. The project features ‘Phad’ paintings and ‘Bani Thani’ from Rajasthan, ‘Thangka’ from Sikkim and Ladakh, miniature paintings from Himachal Pradesh, ‘Gond’ art from Madhya Pradesh, ‘Tanjore’ paintings from Tamil Nadu, ‘Kalamkari’ from Andhra Pradesh, ‘Alpona’ art from West Bengal, ‘Cheriyal’ paintings from Telangana, ‘Pichhwai’ paintings from Rajasthan, ‘Lanjia Saura’ from Odisha, ‘Pattachitra’ from West Bengal, ‘Warli’ from Maharashtra, ‘Pithora’ art from Gujarat, ‘Aipan’ from Uttarakhand, Kerala murals and ‘Alpana’ art from Tripura, among others.

One striking example of this artistic endeavour is the wall relief mural at the ITO railway underpass, painted by Sanskar Rudra Paul and his team. Further along, at the Africa Avenue underpass, artists Manisha Jha, Venkat Shyam and Kalyan Joshi have created another stunning mural.

Ajit Kumar, an artist from Bihar who participated in the project, expressed his pride in contributing to the beautification efforts. “I was a part of the new artworks, including Madhubani and other traditional paintings. I have been in Delhi for the past 20-22 years, and this initiative is truly special.”

Beyond the artistic contributions, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has also played a crucial role in enhancing the city’s beauty. NDMC Vice-Chairman Satish Upadhyay conducted a thorough inspection of various beautification projects in preparation for the UNESCO meeting.

He praised the Ministry of Culture’s efforts, saying, “The artwork on Africa Avenue underpass beautifully depicts India’s rich heritage and enhances New Delhi’s aesthetic appeal.”

Upadhyay also reviewed the horticultural efforts, noting that over 50,000 potted plants have been placed throughout the city.

“We have put 50,000 potted plants at Sardar Patel Marg and arranged for hanging lights. Our horticulture department will display a special floral board from tomorrow when the summit starts,” he said.

Upadhyay motivated the staff preparing eight flower boards to welcome delegates and guests. He also checked the temporary and permanent pumps installed to prevent waterlogging, assuring that the NDMC’s state-of-the-art command and control centre, equipped with extensive CCTV coverage, is ready to handle any situation.

As Delhi decks up for the UNESCO meeting, the city’s transformation serves as a testament to the power of art and culture in bringing people together and showcasing India’s rich heritage.