Revealing India’s Vibrant Culture Through Art

At The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, the power of well-curated art in the context of luxury hospitality is deeply understood and cleverly leveraged. From sculptures in hallways, carvings on staircases, and classical paintings on the walls to colored marble inlays on ceiling panels, great efforts have been taken to weave the many traditional arts and crafts of India into the interiors of the hotels, cultivating a luxurious yet quintessentially Indian ambiance. As a symbol of its commitment to celebrate India’s finest artists, The Leela offers guests an exclusive Art Walk that allows them to discover its rare and diverse collection of contemporary Indian art. A stay at a Palace isn’t complete without taking time out to appreciate the remarkable masterpieces that surround you. .

Take, for instance, The Leela Palace Udaipur, which brings to life the ancient craftsmanship of the Mewar region of Rajasthan. Dying Indian art forms like Thikri, a type of mirror mosaic, are given a place of prominence. Dark, hand-crafted wooden furniture with tarkashi inlay work and intricately embroidered tapestries were either sourced or commissioned by the hotel, aiding the livelihoods of many local women. Beautifully carved lotuses in white Makrana marble and artifacts created by silversmiths adorn the interiors for guests to stop and admire. Not only do they have a stunning effect, but they speak to the group’s social responsibility, helping to preserve Indian traditions.

The Leela Palace Bengaluru boasts beautiful sculptures, chief among which are those of Yali, a Hindu mythological creature who is a recurrent motif in South India’s temple architecture. The walls of the hotel are also adorned with specially selected masterpieces, such as intriguing works by contemporary artist Bhim Singh Hada, which feature the royal Wadiyar family of Mysore.

By placing art and culture front and center in its properties, The Leela has achieved two goals: They have created livelihood opportunities for the many talented artists and craftspeople of India and, by highlighting each region’s specific strengths and traditions, they have achieved the creation of stunning and unique hotel interiors, celebrating the context in which the hotels exist, involving the community, and giving the world a truly Indian experience.