NDMC aims to uplift both emerging and established artists, foster community engagement, enhance tourism potential, and meaningfully contribute to the creative economy envisioned in Viksit Bharat@2047. NDMC has laid out a comprehensive and inclusive roadmap aimed at making New Delhi a beacon of India’s rich artistic traditions, community participation, and creative innovation.
Large-scale sculptures at Mandi House & Many more places
- Vice chairman of NDMC Kuljeet Singh Chahal informed that a central component of the plan is the creation of a dedicated Art District, where ten of India’s most renowned sculptors have been invited, with eight already confirming their participation. These artists will propose large-scale sculptures—each ranging from 10 to 15 feet in height—which will be installed at prominent cultural locations such as Mandi House, National School of Drama, FICCI Auditorium, Shri Ram Centre, India Gate–NGMA, Hyderabad House, Travancore Bhawan, and Triveni Kala Sangam.
Notable participating artists include Raghav R. Kaneria, Ved Nair, Padma Shri Biman B. Das, Padma Shri Rajendra Tikku, K. Radhakrishnan, Arun Pandit, as well as works representing the legacies of late Satish Gujral and Nagji Patel.
NDMC will constitute a Selection and Advisory Committee under the convenorship of Consultant (Art & Culture), NDMC. The committee will comprise national and international experts who will advise on selection of artworks, participating artists, materials, scale, and installation sites.
Live sculptures in workshop
NDMC will host an International Sculpture Symposium, bringing together 15 distinguished sculptors /Masters of field—including 10 from India and 5 from abroad. Many of these are recipients of Padma and National Awards. These artists will create live sculptures during a dedicated workshop in New Delhi.
National Painting Symposium
In parallel, NDMC will organize a National Painting Symposium, inviting 15 eminent painters from across the country to participate in a creative residency. The resulting artworks will be showcased in a curated exhibition and later displayed at various NDMC venues to enhance public spaces with rich visual storytelling.
NDMC’s Annual Cultural Calendar Initiative
To give continuity and structure to these cultural efforts, NDMC has established an Urban Arts and Culture Forum through a Council Resolution. This forum will oversee the implementation of a robust Annual Cultural Calendar, featuring events that celebrate India’s classical and folk arts, literature, public art, and heritage.
Flagship events include Kartik Nartya Mahotsav, Bhakti Naad, Classical Music Festivals, and Art Flee Markets, along with distinctive initiatives such as Sound Garden, Women, Dreams and Desires, Waste to Value (Recycling Art), Puppet Shows, Public Art Installations, and Cinema in the Park. These activities will be hosted at iconic locations like Nehru Park, Central Park, Lodhi Art District, Talkatora Stadium, Khan Market, and others.
Execution Committee and Materials
To ensure professional implementation and financial transparency, Chahal proposed the formation of an Execution and Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Consultant (Art & Culture), with Director (Finance) as a key member. The committee will oversee site finalization, selection of implementing agencies, cost estimations, codal compliance, and timely execution.
The sculptures will be made of durable materials like steel, bronze, and stone—ensuring long life and virtually zero maintenance. He emphasized that NDMC is working with a long-term vision of 100 years, keeping future generations in mind.
Public Art for the People
This initiative is not only for artists but also for the general public. Many forms of art are confined to galleries or closed spaces and are inaccessible to the common man. This public art project will bring creativity into open spaces where people can see it, experience it, and connect with it. It will also inspire students and the younger generation to learn, engage, and take pride in India’s cultural wealth. These efforts will significantly boost cultural tourism and create opportunities for global cultural exchange.
Art Spaces and Revival of Srijan Gallery
NDMC is also planning to dedicate space in nominal charge at Khan Market where artists can showcase and sell their artwork. Moreover, NDMC is reviving the Srijan Art Gallery at Nehru Park to provide a platform for exhibitions and art sales. This initiative is expected to begin this month—July 2025—for art lovers, tourists, and artists alike.
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