Location
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Domestic Departures
Time Period Taken
The project was completed in 6 months. It involved multiple stages including conceptualization, prototyping, technical detailing, artisan coordination, fabrication, painting, assembly, and on-site installation.
Client Brief and Project Concept
“Art in airports can offer passengers a moment of pause, a break from the hustle and bustle. It elevates the mundane to the memorable.”
Commissioned for Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, this large-scale installation was envisioned as a cultural landmark within the airport environment. The client brief was simple yet profound, to create an installation that would represent the spirit of Hyderabad while offering travelers a meaningful visual and emotional pause amidst the fast-paced atmosphere of transit.
At MeMeraki, every project begins with one central philosophy: to deeply relate the artwork to the contextual setting of the place it inhabits, while maintaining the sanctity and authenticity of the craft tradition itself. The conceptual foundation for this installation emerged from a simple question : How does one perceive Hyderabad, and what is it that we would want travelers to know about the city they are visiting?
Hyderabad today exists at a unique intersection of heritage and rapid modernization. The city is undergoing extensive industrialization, with new high-rises and skyscrapers continuously reshaping its skyline. Responding to this evolving urban identity, the installation uses traditional Tholu lamps arranged in eighteen cubes and cuboids of varying scales, collectively mimicking the contemporary skyline of Hyderabad. Through this visual language, the installation symbolizes the city’s blend of rich cultural heritage and its transformation into a modern metropolis.
One of the most distinctive elements of the installation is the subtle integration of mythology in the concept of the installation, Airavata and Uchchaihshravas, two significant mythical creatures from Hindu mythology When viewed from a distance, the arrangement of lamps at the extreme ends of the installation collectively form the silhouettes of an elephant and a horse representing Airavata and Uchchaihshravas respectively. According to mythological narratives, both beings emerged during the Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the ocean, and symbolize speed, strength, protection, purity, and auspiciousness. Their association with Indra, the deity who governs the heavens and weather, creates a powerful symbolic connection with the idea of air travel and journeys through the skies.
Using this concept, the installation brings together multiple layers of meaning, allowing travelers to pause and connect with the city on a deeper level , its history, mythology, culture, and identity. Beyond representing Hyderabad’s urban growth, the installation also reflects upon the relationship between rapid urbanization and the natural environment. As cities continue to expand and modern skylines emerge, it becomes increasingly important to acknowledge and preserve the flora, fauna, and ecological character of the region.
Each lamp within the installation beautifully narrates moments of coexistence in nature , from herds of elephants caring for their young to cows peacefully gathering together , symbolizing harmony, community, and interconnectedness within the natural world. As travelers pause before this installation, they are invited to engage with the deeper layers of history and cultural memory embedded within the artwork. It becomes a quiet reminder that amidst the rush of travel and the constant movement of modern life, there remain stories, traditions, and values that continue to anchor us.
Embodying the essence of Hyderabad’s dynamic evolution, the installation merges tradition with modernity through the symbolic use of traditional Tholu craftsmanship. From depictions of biodiversity and wildlife behaviors to the symbolic presence of mythological creatures, every component contributes to a layered narrative that celebrates the past, embraces the present, and inspires the future.
Ultimately, the installation transforms the airport into more than just a transit hub. It becomes a gateway into Hyderabad’s cultural journey.
Artform
Tholu Bommalata is a traditional shadow puppetry art form originating from Andhra Pradesh, India, renowned for its intricate craftsmanship and immersive storytelling traditions. The word “Tholu” translates to “leather,” referring to the finely crafted leather puppets that define the art form. Deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and folklore, Tholu Bommalata traditionally depicts narratives from epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata through beautifully detailed puppets made from treated goat or buffalo hide.
These translucent puppets are meticulously hand-painted and animated behind an illuminated screen, creating dramatic shadow performances accompanied by music, dialogue, and narration. Historically performed in temple courtyards and village gatherings, Tholu Bommalata functioned not only as a form of entertainment but also as a powerful medium for preserving cultural traditions, oral histories, and religious narratives.
The art form is celebrated for its vibrant visual language, elaborate ornamentation, and dynamic storytelling techniques, where movement, light, sound, and craftsmanship come together to create an engaging and immersive theatrical experience. Today, Tholu Bommalata stands as an important symbol of India’s rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional artisanal practices.
Artist
The installation was created in collaboration with Kanday Anjanappa, a seventh-generation artisan and master practitioner of the traditional Tholu Bommalata craft. Carrying forward a rich family legacy, Anjanappa now leads a team of artisans committed to preserving, practicing, and evolving the art form through contemporary exhibitions, large-scale installations, workshops, and international collaborations.
Techniques, Process of Making
The installation measures approximately 13’4” (Length) × 7’ (Breadth) × 10’9” (Height), inclusive of the base structure.
The design process began with conceptual sketches and digital visualizations that explored the relationship between fragmented geometric cubes and the larger hidden forms they collectively create. Small-scale prototypes were subsequently developed to study the overall composition, viewing angles, structural balance, and the interaction of light with the translucent Tholu surfaces.
Following the conceptual development stage, detailed working drawings and fabrication plans were prepared for the metal framework and wooden base structure. Once the fabrication of the metal cuboids was completed, each unit was carefully clad with treated leather. This involved preparing and treating the leather surfaces, hand-drawing traditional motifs, perforating delicate details, and applying vibrant colors inspired by the traditional techniques of Tholu Bommalata.The final phase involved the on-site installation and precise alignment of the cuboids to ensure that the larger forms of Airavata and Uchchaihshravas visually emerged from specific viewing angles within the airport space.
Materials
The installation brings together three primary components: handcrafted Tholu leather lamps, a fabricated metal framework, and wooden pedestal elements. Each lamp was fabricated using metal structures that were subsequently clad and hand-painted with treated leather artworks inspired by the traditional craft of Tholu Bommalata. To create varying heights and a dynamic visual composition, select cubes and cuboids were elevated on custom wooden bases, while a larger pedestal structure was introduced to enhance the overall scale and presence of the installation within the airport space.
Design Elements
At MeMeraki, every design is developed with a deeper narrative and cultural significance. For this installation, the intention was to reinterpret the traditional craft of Tholu Bommalata in a contemporary and immersive manner. While Tholu Bommalata is traditionally associated with standalone decorative lamps and shadow puppetry elements, this installation reimagines the craft through a composition of eighteen interconnected cube and cuboid lamps arranged together to create a larger experiential form.
The design language thoughtfully merges contemporary geometric forms with the richness of traditional handcrafted storytelling. Vibrant colors, intricate linework, floral patterns, and mythological imagery are carefully integrated within the rigid architectural geometry of the cuboids, creating a harmonious dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Inspired by Hyderabad’s evolving skyline, the arrangement of the cubes creates varying depths, layers, shadows, and visual perspectives, making the installation engaging from multiple viewpoints within the airport environment. The shifting visual experience encourages travelers to pause, observe, and discover new narratives and forms as they move through the space.
