Team L&M
A rare Kalpavriksha painting by artist duo Laxman Singh and Kunal Jain will offer busy commuters respite from traffic in Noida. To be inaugurated in the second week of October, the painted mural installation within the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) underpass is the first project that kicks off a series of unique public art initiatives by the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in collaboration with Noida Authority.
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. 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.
Furthering KNMA’s vision of supporting and platforming Indian artists and art forms, the underpass, 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 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 Ganesha Festival by village folk and the story of the mythological white elephant King Airavata who carries the Hindu rain God Indra.