The lobby of Le Meridien in Delhi, buzzing with high-profile events, showcases a vintage magic show poster from the 1950s featuring Gogia Pasha, the renowned magician. The lithograph, hand-painted by artist Bhuskute, captures the essence of an era when magic performances in grand tents mesmerized audiences from distant places.
The exhibition ‘Journey Through Time: +1 Day, +1 Story’ at Le Meridien displays 30 equally remarkable vintage posters, dating back to the 1920s, curated by Tarun Thakral, the hotel’s executive director. Thakral, a seasoned hotelier and collector of antiquities, views these posters as more than commercial artifacts, emphasizing their reflection of social evolution and artistic expressions of bygone eras.
These hand-drawn and painted posters, sourced globally from countries like the UK, the US, and France, provide a glimpse into the historical evolution of advertising, featuring a diverse range of products and services. From indigenous brands like ‘Sri Kaliswari Fireworks’ to international airlines like Air-India and Air-France, each poster encapsulates a unique artistic narrative.
Thakral’s passion for preserving vintage posters stems from their historical and artistic significance, noting the disappearance of traditional printing techniques used in their creation. His extensive collection, including calendar art and bazaar pieces, serves as a testament to his dedication to conserving these valuable relics.
Traveling across India and beyond in search of rare finds, Thakral highlights Rajasthan’s rich legacy of preserving vintage items, such as a 1950s ‘Mobil Oil’ poster. The exhibition also features works by prominent Indian artists like MV Dhurandhar and Raghuvir Mulgaonkar, offering a glimpse into India’s colonial past and cultural heritage.
Notable among the exhibits is a 1930s painting by Dhurandhar depicting ‘The Great Indian Peninsular Railway,’ showcasing royalty and tradition against a colonial backdrop. Thakral’s personal favorite, the Indian Railway poster series, captures the essence of India’s transport history through a blend of art and heritage.
An intriguing piece advertising Darjeeling for the ‘Eastern Bengal Railway’ in the 1920s, painted by British artist V Veevers, features smiling Buddhist monks in vibrant hues. Thakral’s encounter with Veevers’ granddaughter, who shared insights into the artist’s collaboration with Indian Railways, underscores the connections forged between past and present through these vintage artworks.
As visitors marvel at the fusion of art and history in these magic show posters and other vintage advertisements, Thakral’s dedication to preserving these relics serves as a bridge connecting contemporary audiences with the rich cultural tapestry of bygone eras.
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