Context:
Ministry of Culture Launches Project PARI for the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting.
Key Highlights
- Ahead of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), the Indian government has unveiled a public art initiative “Project PARI (Public Art of India),” focusing on India’s cultural legacy and UNESCO heritage sites.
- It’s executed by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
About the Project ‘PARI’
- The project PARI aims to showcase public art inspired by millennia of artistic heritage (lok kala/lok sanskriti) while incorporating contemporary themes and techniques.
- Its vision is to stimulate dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, contributing to the dynamic cultural fabric of the nation.
World Heritage Committee
- It’s an arm of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- The Committee meets annually to manage existing World Heritage Sites and review country nominations.
- It is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
- India will host the 46th session from July 21-31, 2024(first time).
- India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage sites, comprising 34 cultural, seven natural, and one mixed site.
Artistic Collaboration and Heritage Inspiration
- Artists from across the country are participating in this Project, creating wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations.
- Some of these artworks will be inspired by world heritage sites such as Bhimbetka and India’s 7 natural world heritage sites.
Diverse Art Forms
- Project PARI will also feature art inspired by various Indian styles, including 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), and Alpana art (Tripura).
Sculptural Themes
- The themes for the sculptures to be created include tributes to nature, inspirations from the Natyashastra, Mahatma Gandhi, Indian toys, hospitality, ancient knowledge, Naad or primeval sound, harmony of life, and Kalpataru, the divine tree.
Celebrating Nari Shakti
- Women artists are playing a significant role in this Project, highlighting Bharat’s Nari Shakti.
Public Engagement
- The public is invited to join the celebrations by taking selfies with Project PARI creations and sharing them on social media with #ProjectPARI.