India is a great country that has thrived on its democracy and culture for over 6 decades now. Whether it be the North, South, East or West, we each have our own forms of art, music, dance, literature and not to forget- cuisine. Although our culture has been rooted amongst our religion and way of life over centuries together, these art forms have only gotten it appreciation after our world came together as one unit, instead of being divided as colonies.
However, with all boundaries erased, the various forms of art in India have seemingly diffused, leaving behind a huge melting pot of culture that can be absorbed by any artist in the world. One would say, all Indian cities have their own unique style of appreciating and accepting art. It is almost impossible to list down every art inspiring place in a city, partially because- art is hidden everywhere. It resides in every person, every street, every building and essentially every molecule, that comes to together form what we call a beautiful city.
However, if a narrowed down list was to be made, these are the eight Indian cities that would make their way up to the top.
1. Jaipur
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Jaipur is known to have a rich art culture that varies from the visual arts and crafts, to dance, music and architecture. Attractions like the Hawa Mahal and Raj Mandir Cinema are sure to inspire art lovers and the Navagarh Fort allows your artistic mind to expand beyond, just like its expansive view. Who can forget Jantar Mantar, that is not only so aesthetically pleasing, but also allows our minds to travel into space with a glimpse into the world that beyond ours!
2. Varanasi
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A city that is religious but not god-fearing, populated but still quiet enough to find your inner peace and undeniably cultured, yet explodes with creativity. A centre of beautifully curated temples, an artist can easily imagine themselves propped on the staircases descending down into the beautiful Ganges. This city has a certain ancient charm that doesn’t fail to please anyone. Every lane has its own story to tell, so as its people do. And which artist does not want to get their hands on an original story/concept?
3. Udaipur
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Rajasthan is famous for its palaces and architectural wonders. For God’s sake, even their petrol pumps look like mini palatial mansions! But amongst all this beauty, I think Udaipur’s lakes have this peculiar charm that is sure to captivate any artist’s attention. Lake Pichola and Fateh Sagar Lake, even manages to get every visitor to embrace their inner artistic talents, and therefore, manages to unfold bundles of creativity within an artist’s mind.
4. Bengaluru
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The garden city of the south, Bengaluru is nothing short of a ‘city of dreams’. It’s serene gardens and beautiful weather is optimum for the generation of creative talent. The wonderful people, the bustling- character filled streets and the ideal mix of cosmopolitan and heritage worthy culture provides for a strong base that an artist can work up from.
The beautiful art cafes, eye-catching art galleries, the never-ending musical symphonies at Ravindra Kalakshetr and the infinite performances by the various emerging theatre/dance troupes, leave an artist with innumerable opportunities to explore and embrace their talent.
5. Delhi
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The country’s capital, Delhi is a splendid city with a thriving, ever-growing art scene. The city is extremely magnanimous with it’s emerging local and visiting artists. While the other cities till now have been added to this list due to its ornamental architecture or beautiful sceneries, Delhi is here for simply one reason- it’s communities and their domains. By visiting Hauz Khas Complex, Khan Market, Chandni Chowk or Connaught Place, an artist gets to interact with its people, their lifestyle and their culture.
Delhi is a vibrant cultural hub and this is seen through the smooth transition between the bustling streets, traditional architecture and its contemporary style that is a good mix of the old and the new. Delhi also has one of India’s best Street Art Festivals, that will be able to blow any artist’s mind. A true artist will be able to recognise and experience the well-hidden but massive art gallery, that is the city itself.
6. Chennai
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Chennai has always been a culturally inclined city that is more than just Bharatnatyam, Carnatic Music, Dosas and Idlis (who can forget the Sambar!). Chennai has one of the most diverse art scenes ranging from a classical style of art to the most contemporary forms. You can typically find the modern day Tamilian listening to both classical forms of music and hard punk rock metal, appreciating the works of Raja Ravi Varma and Jackson Pollack, and educating themselves on literary works by both R.K Narayan and Paulo Coelho.
Artist’s are also most likely to gain inspiration from Chennai’s multicultural diversity- whether it be the beautiful Kapaleeshwarar Temple, the majestic looking ‘Thousand Lights’ Mosque or the elegant structure that is the ‘Church of our Lady of Light’. Another thing that must be taken advantage of are the beaches – the Besant-Negar Beach and Neelamkarai Beach are two my personal favourites!
7. Kolkata
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Other than the amazing mouth-watering food, Kolkata is known for its grand colonial architecture, cultural festivals, euphonic music and its avant-garde art scene. Kolkata has produced some of India’s finest artists and the city can easily take full credit for being the source of inspiration that have led them all on successful paths. One cannot say exactly, if all of this is because of the Howrah Bridge, Marble Palace, the Sundarbans, Tipu Sultan Mosque or the hundreds of other beautiful and iconic structures. However, the city has come together with these archetypal examples, alongside its people and their communal lifestyle, to shape any artist’s views.
8. Mumbai
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Mumbai, the land of Bollywood, Pani Puri and everything remotely artsy – an artist never leaves this city empty handed. Whether it be the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves or Haji Ali Dargah that evoke the emotional feeling within you; the various beaches or Wankhede Stadium that ignites the childishness within you; or Crawford Market, Dhobi Ghat (you need to have a look at this to understand what we’re talking about) and Dharavi that makes you more culturally and economically aware; every inch of Mumbai teaches you something and inspires you at the same time.
The art scene is especially massive in areas like Kala Ghoda, Juhu and Bandra with art galleries like – Jehangir Art Gallery, Chemould Prescott Road Gallery, Gallery Maskara or simply the art that decorates the streets of ‘Aamchi Mumbai’. Big on both contemporary and traditional forms of art, every type of artist is entertained and made to feel welcome here. They are also given equal opportunities to get inspired along their journey through the streets of Mumbai.
Now these are just eight cities that here on this list. The list’s validity may vary from person to person as there are over 4000 cities in India; and every single one of them have their own unique ways of inspiring artists. It is important to remember as a creator, that, we live in a world that is full of inspiration. It may lie in the small things around us, or the people that we are surrounded by. It is important that we identify these tiny signals, and lay them out there in our style for the world to see. So fellow artists, begin your journey by visiting these cities and expand this list as you set upon the task of finding both yourself, your art and the world around you.
