News Excerpt:

• The Ministry of Culture has introduced Project PARI (Public Art of India) in connection with the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, which will take place in New Delhi from July 21–31, 2024.
• This initiative, led by the Lalit Kala Akademi, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, invites over 150 visual artists from across the country.

About Project PARI

• Project PARI aims to enhance Delhi's aesthetic and cultural landscape, adding grandeur to the national capital's rich historical legacy.
• Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art aim to present public art that draws from millennia of artistic heritage (lok kala/lok sanskriti) while integrating modern themes and techniques.
• This endeavor highlights the intrinsic value of art in Indian society, showcasing the nation's enduring commitment to creativity and artistic expression.
• Artists are working on various sites throughout Delhi to beautify public spaces for the upcoming event.

Significance of Project PARI

• Art in public spaces plays a crucial role in showcasing the nation's rich and diverse cultural heritage.
• Public art installations transform urban landscapes into accessible galleries, making art available to all beyond traditional venues like museums and galleries.
• By integrating art into streets, parks, and transit hubs, these initiatives democratize art, ensuring artistic experiences are part of everyday life.

Visual Art Forms Showcased

• The beautification project includes traditional art forms, sculptures, murals, and installations.
• The artistic canvas features styles such as:
• Phad paintings (Rajasthan)
• Thangka painting (Sikkim/Ladakh)
• Miniature painting (Himachal Pradesh)
• Gond art (Madhya Pradesh)
• Tanjore paintings (Tamil Nadu)
• Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh)
• Alpona art (West Bengal)
• Cheriyal painting (Telangana)
• Pichhwai Painting (Rajasthan)
• Lanjia Saura (Odisha)
• Pattachitra (West Bengal)
• Bani Thani Painting (Rajasthan)
• Warli (Maharashtra)
• Pithora Art (Gujarat)
• Aipan (Uttarakhand)
• Kerala Murals (Kerala)
• Alpana art (Tripura).

Themes of Project PARI

• The sculptures created for Project PARI encompass various themes, such as tributes to nature, ideas inspired by the Natyashastra, Gandhi ji, toys of India, hospitality, ancient knowledge, Naad or Primeval Sound, Harmony of Life, and Kalpataru – the divine tree.
• Additionally, in line with the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting, some artworks and sculptures draw inspiration from World Heritage Sites like Bhimbetka and India's seven natural World Heritage Sites.