Noida Underpass facelift: KNMA recreates Madhubani Magic on walls

10 October 2018

Kiran Nadar Museum of Art collaborated with the Noida Authority for a series of unique public art initiatives. The first project under this association is a painted mural installation within the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) underpass in Noida. The 640-metre underpass is located on the crossing of Sector 25A, 24, 33A and 22 and plays a crucial role in facilitating traffic movement in the area.

The installation was opened to the public on 10th October 2018, jointly inaugurated by Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of Culture, Pankaj Singh, MLA from Bharatiya Janata Party Noida, Mrs Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and Trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, and Alok Tandon, Chairman & CEO of Noida.

Speaking about the collaboration, Alok Tandon, Chairman & CEO of Noida said:

“We are honoured to collaborate with Kiran Nadar Museum of Art and the Shiv Nadar Foundation for this pathfinding project which redefines the public’s understanding of what a museum can offer. This work educates the public about their arts heritage, showcases traditionally underrepresented local artists and also allows the general public to enjoy art in a public space, we hope to install more works like these across the city, in collaboration with Kiran Nadar Museum of Art.”

Furthering the museum’s vision of supporting and platforming Indian artists and art forms, the underpass showcases rare Kalpavriksha paintings by artist duo Laxman Singh and Kunal Jain, offering busy commuters some respite from the city’s traffic. Mrs Nadar’s continued patronage and support of South Asian arts and artists has established her as an important part of the city’s cultural landscape, this initiative aims to offer the public another innovative way to engage with India’s rich artistic heritage.

Honouring India’s folk and tribal art, this installation celebrates life and also highlights the message of living in harmony with nature which is an integral part of Indian culture. The work depicts Kalpa Tree ‘Kalpavriksha’: The Sacred Wishing Tree, which has been an object of adornment and worship since ancient times. The few scenes from the mural include a celebration of Shri Ganesha Festival by the village folk and the story of the mythological white elephant King Airavata, who carries the Hindu rain God Indra.

About the initiative Mrs Kiran Nadar, Founder and Chairperson, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art said “We are delighted to collaborate with the Noida Authority and Mr Alok Tandon for this exciting project that highlights the museum’s objective of making the arts more inclusive, allowing the public to engage with our country’s artists on a daily basis. Whilst we have a dedicated outreach programme within the museum, we also want to take art outside of the museum space and bring it to the people”.

This will be the first underpass in Noida with public art of this type and the paintings will stretch across the full 90-metre underpass on both sides.

A joint initiative between the Shiv Nadar Foundation and organized in collaboration with the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, this project addresses the lack of art promotion in the public sphere and intends to foster public art appreciation and engagement.