New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) Glass, steel and technology define the first glimpse of Noida International Airport (NIA). Step inside, and the airport reveals another identity -- one anchored in the art, culture
and spirit of India and Uttar Pradesh through the works of celebrated artist Paresh Maity.
As finishing touches continue ahead of the airport's inaugural flight next month on June 15, Maity looks on with quiet excitement at his two monumental artworks that now lend the swanky new terminal its cultural heartbeat.
Soon after check-in, passengers will first be greeted by "Jagriti" (“Awakening”), a colossal 8×100-foot acrylic-on-canvas artwork that unfolds as a vibrant visual narrative showcasing iconic cultural and spiritual landmarks of India.
Spanning six interconnected panels, the masterpiece is woven together by the sacred rivers -- the Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, and Saryu -- tracing the timeless landmarks, pilgrimage sites, and historic cities that have flourished along their banks for centuries.
Drawn in the ember colours of morning and dawn, the sequence opens with the festive ghats of Varanasi, evoking devotion along the Ganga, followed by Sarnath’s Dhamek Stupa, marking Buddha’s first sermon and the roots of spiritual awakening.
It then moves to the Taj Mahal in Agra glowing at sunrise on the Yamuna, before shifting to the serene waters of Kusum Sarovar in Mathura and Vrindavan, associated with Lord Krishna. The journey continues to Ayodhya on the Saryu, honouring Lord Rama’s birthplace, and concludes with the vibrant spiritual energy of the Mahakumbh, the world’s largest pilgrimage.
"The entire process, from conceptualising it to putting it on the canvas, took two years. Since the airport is in Uttar Pradesh, the intention was to create a UP-centric work. The painting is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy and aesthetics, and is based on 'Shadang' -- six limbs, which is why it is divided into six panels.
"It is conceptualised during sunrise, it reflects awakening. The colour scheme is entirely in morning tones, giving it a sense of early light and beginning," Maity, who is no stranger to creating long-format works or having his art commissioned for airports, told PTI.
Maity is well-known for landmark public art projects, including “The Indian Odyssey", one of the world’s longest murals at the Indira Gandhi International Airport Terminal three and “Sound of Silence", an iconic artwork made up of 4,000 brass and copper bells arranged to form the outline of a human face at Terminal one.
The 61-year-old Padma Shri awardee reflected on his enduring fascination with Varanasi, which also runs through his installation. He has visited the city at least 100 times in the past four decades, "yet every visit and every moment spent at the ghats reveals something new" to him.
"One life is not enough for Varanasi, because every time you sit at the ghat, it feels different. I first went as a second-year student from the Government College of Art and Craft, and when I sat on the ghat, I could not believe what a beautiful universe it was.
"Since then, over these 42 years, I have kept going back again and again. And every time I go, my perspective keeps changing," he added.
Maity's other striking installation that finds a home in the airport is "Mystic Abode", a home-shaped installation of over 8,500 brass bells. First exhibited in Switzerland in 2016, the interactive artwork, according to Maity, allows the viewers to experience a sense of calm and inner peace found rarely in the commotion of city life.
"Because we are going through a very uncertain and fearful world... this is a place where you can really go inside. Here, you'll get peace -- peace of your mind and of the soul. The world should be like this. And the bell brings positive energy; it takes away negative energy. So with that concept, this sculpture is created," he explained.
Complementing Maity’s artworks, the airport’s architectural detailing -- from roof to steps -- embodies a seamless-flow design philosophy. It draws from Western Uttar Pradesh through red granite like regional monuments, Varanasi ghat-inspired steps, and an 'aangan' courtyard inspired by traditional havelis.
The NIA, which has a projected passenger capacity of 12 million passengers per annum, once fully operational, will connect the greater Delhi area and Western Uttar Pradesh with other cities in India and the world. PTI MG MAH
MAH
