Master Strokes

From showcasing works by artist MF Husain to lesser-known local artists, luxury hotels in India have long been custodians of the country's finest art.

- Anubhuti Krishna

It's hard to miss Three Stanzas of the New Millennium, a triptych by the late modern Indian artist MF Husain, as you enter the majestic lobby of The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai. Commissioned to commemorate the hotel's 100th anniversary in 2003, the work is bold in its scope, addressing multiple themes including scientific discovery, advancements in technology—and, perhaps, humanity itself. The screenprint is one of several masterpieces in The Taj's extensive collection that traces the progression of modern and contemporary Indian art movements from the mid-20th century onwards.

Then there's ITC Maurya, New Delhi, which is home to multiple works by Husain, including 18 painted glass panels in the main lobby that highlight key episodes from the Mauryan era. There's also the famous mural by Krishen Khanna, titled The Great Procession.

Works by noted artists Jamini Roy, Ram Kumar, Reddeppa Naidu, as well as caricatures by RK Laxman, and a life-size canvas by Husain adorn the newly refurbished Taj Mahal in New Delhi.

Before Indian art commanded record prices in auction houses, works by Indian artists graced the lobbies and corridors of the country's grand hotels. These hotels became early patrons of Indian art, building their own collections while commissioning local artists. Hotels in India have been among the earliest patrons of art in the post-independence era.

Birth of a Movement

Two names stand out when one looks back on the connection between art and hotels—The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, and The Imperial, New Delhi.