A Century of Strokes—ITC Maurya Honors Krishen Khanna’s 100-Year Canvas

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 550 Views

To commemorate the centenary birthday of one of India's best-known modern artists, Krishen Khanna, the ITC Maurya in New Delhi is marking the occasion with his vast mural, "The Great Procession," on the hotel's grand lobby dome. The celebration is part of ITC Hotels' WelcomA...

Executed directly onto the curved ceiling of the central lobby of the hotel, "The Great Procession" is a large, immersive painting that captures the diversity and rhythm of Indian life. Executed in 1979 following four years of painstaking work, the mural remains one of the most iconic pieces of public art in any Indian hotel.

"We are immensely blessed and honored to celebrate Mr. Khanna's 100th birthday with him at ITC Maurya, beneath this eternal masterpiece he painted nearly half a century ago," added Amaan Kidwai, Area Manager – Luxury Hotels (North) and General Manager, ITC Maurya.

About the Artist

Krishen Khanna, July 5, 1925, is India's only surviving member of the celebrated Progressive Artists' Group.
Renowned for his narrative-figurative paintings, Khanna's works have explored themes of migration, community, and the human condition.
His iconic figures are band-wallahs, truck drivers, and common labourers, caught in empathy and forceful expression.

The Mural: "The Great Procession"

Where: ITC Maurya, New Delhi – Lobby Dome
Medium: Fresco-style mural, painted directly on the dome-shaped ceiling
Theme: A vibrant procession of Indian life, symbolizing unity in diversity
Significance: An Indian public art icon that effortlessly blends tradition and modernity

A Living Legacy

The homage testifies to ITC Maurya's commitment towards Responsible Luxury, wherein art is décor no longer but a canvas of cultural history. The hotel features one of the most excellent collections of contemporary Indian art, featuring works by MF Husain, Tyeb Mehta, VS Gaitonde, and SH Raza, among many others.

Sources: Outlook Traveller, WebIndia123, The Tribune, ITC Maurya Official Website

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