Context
The Ministry of Culture has launched Project PARI (Public Art of India), an ambitious initiative to showcase the country’s rich artistic legacy. The first phase of Project PARI is taking place in Delhi to uplift the city’s aesthetic and cultural outlook, coinciding with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee
About the Project
- Aim: To create public art that blends ancient traditions with contemporary themes and techniques.
- Execution: The project will be executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
- Inspiration: The artworks draw inspiration from various Indian art styles such as Phad paintings (Rajasthan), Thangka paintings (Sikkim/Ladakh), Gond art (Madhya Pradesh), and many more regional artistic traditions.
- Some sculptures also draw inspiration from World Heritage Sites like Bhimbetka, with special emphasis on India’s seven natural World Heritage Sites.
- Themes: The sculptures created for Project PARI pay homage to nature, Indian concepts like Natyashastra, figures like Gandhi, and ancient knowledge systems.
- Women’s Participation: Project PARI strongly emphasizes the participation of women artists, highlighting India’s commitment to empowering its NARI SHAKTI (women’s power).
- Urban Transformation: Project PARI transforms urban areas into public art galleries, making art accessible to all citizens. This initiative stimulates dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, enriching the nation’s cultural fabric.
Lalit Kala Akademi
- Status: The Lalit Kala Akademi is an autonomous body registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860.
- Role: It is the government’s apex cultural body in the field of visual arts in India and is fully funded by the Ministry of Culture.
- History: The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) was the first of the three to be established in 1953, followed shortly by Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) and Sahitya Akademi (SA).
- Promotion: The academy promotes Indian arts both within and outside India.
- Exhibitions: It conducts an international exhibition on contemporary art in New Delhi every three years.
- Headquarters and Regional Centres: The headquarters is in New Delhi with regional centres in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Shimla.
- Publications: It publishes bi-annual art journals, including Lalit Kala Contemporary (English), Lalit Kala Ancient (English), and Samkaleen Kala (Hindi).