Delhi street mural newest public art at IGI airport

NEW DELHI: Now travellers, even those in transit, can glimpse a slice of life on a typical bustling Delhi street, through the most recent art work conceptualised by noted artist Anjolie Ela Menon, on the walls of the international airport here.
A large 21 feet by 8.2 feet mural titled "Walled City" set to be soon unveiled at the domestic departure Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport, is both an ode to the city street and to the walled city of Delhi.

"This street in an walled city is a microcosm of the Indian street. It is unique to our urban culture that the street is the arena for life itself," says Anjolie Ela Menon.

"This is where people live, work, travel, ply their trades, interact, romance, play, celebrate and protest. Here human beings and animals co-exist in surprising harmony where where tradition and modernity blend seamlessly in a throbbing scenario of sound and colour, creating endless street theatre," she says.

Menon, who is considered as the country's foremost muralist took over six months to handpaint the mural and the final unveiling is scheduled soon, according to an official of the Vadehra Art Gallery, which is supporting the artist.

Detailing of the wall painting reveals to the viewer a panoramic view of a street in Delhi showcasing multiple stories.

The airport, one of the busiest in the country already boasts of a large number of artworks that reflect India's landscape, tradition, festivals, and culture and also refers to distinctive Indian motifs from music, dance and monuments.

The walls of the international arrivals section and the Baggage claim hall hosts murals by Paresh Maity. Murals by M F Husain adorn the area between the domestic and international sections of the airport.

The international departure pier of the transfer area is occupied by a long 30 metre mural "Hiranyagarbha" by Seema Kohli while a huge copper and gold plated sculpture by Satish Gupta dominates another section.

An installation of 12 dance mudras with discs frame the canyon area across the international and domestic areas.