As Krishen Khanna reaches the rare milestone of a hundred years, ITC Maurya in New Delhi is paying homage to his remarkable artistic journey by spotlighting a mural that has become almost synonymous with the hotel itself. Titled “The Great Procession,” the artwork has been a focal point of ITC Maurya’s identity since it was completed in 1979. Painted directly onto the large, curved dome of the central lobby, the mural represents not just a moment in time but an entire movement in Indian art. It stands as a celebration of India’s vast cultural diversity, human expression, and everyday vibrance, all captured through Khanna’s masterful brushstrokes.
The tribute holds special significance because ITC Maurya is more than a luxury hotel. Designed as a tribute to the Mauryan Dynasty, the property reflects the philosophy, aesthetics, and grandeur of an era that marked India’s golden age of architecture, literature, and art. In this setting, Khanna’s mural functions as more than decoration. It becomes a spiritual continuation of a time when public art was deeply woven into the public consciousness, seen in monuments, stupas, and cave paintings.
Krishen Khanna’s work over the years has shaped not only galleries but also the way people understand Indian life through art. His choice of subjects often centres around ordinary people and everyday life, told with such emotion and perspective that they feel both deeply personal and widely relatable. “The Great Procession” is no different. The piece captures a constant sense of motion and emotion, a flowing crowd that embodies celebration, struggle, unity, and chaos all at once. Painted over a span of four years, it continues to mesmerise viewers even decades later.
This centennial celebration is not a one off event. It reflects a much larger vision within ITC Hotels. Through its WelcomArt initiative, the hotel group has long aimed to integrate Indian art into every property, showcasing paintings, sculptures, and installations from India’s leading artists. The program is rooted in the belief that luxury should also preserve heritage and provoke cultural engagement. In the case of ITC Maurya, the initiative has found its most iconic expression in Khanna’s mural.
Amaan Kidwai, General Manager of ITC Maurya and Area Manager for Luxury Hotels in the North, shared how proud the hotel is to be part of Khanna’s centennial celebration. He emphasised the artist’s role in not only contributing his own work but also curating the broader artistic vision of the hotel. In his words, Khanna helped shape ITC Maurya as a living museum of contemporary Indian art.
For many visitors, whether from India or abroad, stepping into ITC Maurya is not just checking into a hotel. It is entering a cultural space where every element has been crafted with meaning. From the structure of the lobby to the detailing in rooms and corridors, and most importantly, the art on the walls, every part of the hotel speaks to India's layered past and its creative present.
As Krishen Khanna completes a hundred years, his work continues to remain relevant and inspiring. He represents an era where art was both personal and political, rooted in everyday life yet transcendent in its message. The ITC Maurya’s decision to highlight his mural during this landmark birthday is a fitting gesture that brings attention not only to the artist but also to the hotel’s ongoing role in cultural storytelling.
If you are visiting New Delhi, stepping into ITC Maurya offers a chance to stand beneath a piece of Indian art history, a mural that still speaks volumes without saying a word. It is not just a hotel lobby. It is a living canvas.
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