Project PARI

• Initiation: Project PARI (Public Art of India) was launched by the Ministry of Culture in conjunction with the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in New Delhi.
• Executing Bodies: The project is being executed by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
• Objective: The project aims to highlight public art that combines millennia of artistic heritage (lok kala/lok sanskriti) with contemporary themes and techniques.

Goals

• Cultural and Aesthetic Upliftment: Project PARI seeks to enhance the cultural and aesthetic outlook of Delhi, integrating contemporary public art into the city’s rich historical legacy.
• Artistic Diversity: It aims to showcase a variety of traditional art forms from across India, reinterpreted with modern sensibilities.

Artistic Contributions

• Artists Involved: Over 150 visual artists from various regions of India have contributed to the project.
• Art Forms and Styles: The artworks include wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations, inspired by diverse traditional art forms 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)

Impact

• Public Engagement: Project PARI aims to engage the public with art that reflects both traditional and modern influences, enriching Delhi’s urban landscape.
• Cultural Preservation: By integrating traditional art forms into public spaces, the project contributes to the preservation and appreciation of India's diverse artistic heritage.
• Urban Enhancement: The initiative will beautify the city while adding to its cultural and historical narrative, fostering a greater appreciation of India’s rich artistic traditions.

Conclusion

Project PARI represents a significant effort to blend India's traditional artistic heritage with contemporary public art practices, enhancing the cultural fabric of Delhi and preserving diverse art forms for future generations.