Art junkie or not, you’d love to explore Lodhi Art District in Delhi. The quiet neighborhood in the heart of Delhi holds the best of Delhi Street Art.

The concept of street art, not new to the world is taking over in Delhi now.

All thanks to St+Art India Foundation, a non-profit organization that’s working relentlessly towards making street art popular across Delhi or for that matter India (as they have expanded the work to other major cities) since 2015.

With the help of CPWD, NDMC, Swachh Bharat Mission, the residents (RWA) of Lodhi Colony, and Asian Paints, St+Art India partnered with local and international artists to bring the art closer to the public.

Otherwise dull, and plain walls of government-owned buildings in Lodhi Colony are beautifully transformed into creative zion as part of the annual Lodhi Street Art Festival.

That’s how India’s first-ever Lodhi Art District was born.

It’s impossible to drive past Lodhi Colony and not stop to admire and ponder over the colossal wall art.

Why Lodhi Colony? you may ask.

Apart from its central location, Lodhi Colony attracted and thrilled the artists for its unique, symmetrical and well laid-out façades and pedestrian-friendly charm.

Each triple storey government-owned building here features a central arched doorway and four windows (two on either side) wherein the archway affords a view inside a courtyard.

In some buildings, the archways showcase the trees jutting out of them to the street.

Lodhi Art District houses over 54 murals (and counting) that take on versatile themes, from social issues to environmental issues to marginalized and vulnerable communities like LGBTQ to Indian culture and values. Many of them have been inspired by the residents and visitors of the Lodhi Colony.

Are you a history lover too? You sure would love to read about Safdarjung Tomb, Tuglaqabad Fort, and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.

You’d find yourself ogling at the artworks while trying to draw inferences behind them. I asked myself several times, “What must have inspired an artist?” while looking at those pretty yet thoughtful murals.

I was mesmerized to see the art on walls that speaks volumes and loved the way trees of Lodhi dynamically became part of each and every art piece.

If you’re traveling to Delhi with kids, do stop by at Shankar’s International Dolls Museum in Delhi.

Street Murals in Lodhi Art District

Even though we contemplated the artwork but couldn’t really decode all the murals on our own. I had to take help from St+ART India’s Facebook and Instagram to know more about the stories and artists behind the graffitis while writing this piece.

Bhajju Shyam’s New Mural (Work in Progress)

This one’s a new addition. We spotted the artist and the volunteers working on this new mural.

Trans Lives Matter by Aravani Art Project

This thought-provoking mural in block 5 is painted by Aravani Art Project with the help of Delhi’s transgender community.

Featuring the portraits of trans women they have worked with, the artwork celebrates the transgender community.

The trans women you see in the artwork painted it themselves.

Ode to Femininity by Sajid Wajid Sheik

The Mumbai artist, Sajid Wajid painted this vibrant mural in block 5 keeping in mind the essence of feminism.

The artist beautifully voices women empowerment and celebrates womanhood through his work of art.

Yahan by Georgia Hill and Hanif Kureshi

Painted by Australian artist, Georgia Hill, and co-founder of St+Art India, Hanif Kureshi this black and white mural in block 8 represents the Hindi word for Here – ‘यहाँ’ (Yahan) and the English word ‘Must’ in an abstract form.

Georgia, during her explorations many times thought to herself “This must be the place” and her artwork contemplates the same thought.

Rock Pigeons by Adele Renault

A Belgian artist, Adele Renault’s artwork in Block 14 of Lodhi Colony highlights otherwise ordinary creatures as magnificent. The pair of pigeons hidden behind the life-sized trees undoubtedly look beautiful and graceful.

Take a closer look to appreciate the details in her work. It’s super cool!

Cause and Effect by Sam Lo

A Singaporean artist, Sam Lo’s (SKL0) artwork in block 13 of Lodhi Colony reflects on the idea of freedom and interrelationship using ribbons and sparrows.

Social Media Friendly Plants by Sameer Kulavoor

Mumbai based artist Sameer Kulavoor based his mural in block 17 of Lodhi Colony on the theme quite relevant in today’s context – life in the social media age.

He feels that algorithms largely define and influence the way we live today.

In the mural, he particularly depicted social media influencers photographing or taking selfies with diverse plants which according to him are low maintenance pretty-Pinterest-plants that help the influencers collect hundreds of likes easily.

Climate 05 – Reclaim Air and Water by Andreco

This wall in block 14 of Lodhi Colony showcases Andreco’s artwork on environmental activism and global warming effects.

Andreco, a scientist-artist of Italian origin used Air-Ink (the first-ever ink in the world that’s upcycled from industrial pollution) in his mural to depict how rapid climate change can adversely affect the environment if we don’t be mindful.

In his own words, “It’s pollution painted by pollution.”

The Light Fort by Yoh Nagao

In this colorful mural in block 17, Yoh Nagao blends the Japanese and Indian patterns and symbols to illustrate how important it is to build a community that stays together and welcomes everyone with an open heart and mind.

The Sacrosanct Whole by Aaron Glasson

New Zealand artist, Aaron Glasson mixes various elements in his mural to depict the sacredness of all the objects in the world.

He picked cultural references from Indus Valley Civilization and Indian history at large.

Colors of the Soul by Sankoe

Sankoe, a Mexican artist painted the vibrant birds that signify the diversity of the people of Lodhi Colony and hope to inspire them to open their hearts to each other just the way birds do through his mural.

The Lotus by Suiko

Suiko, a Japanese artist picked Lotus, the national flower of India and recreated it with Japanese characters and his signature curved lines which remains the consistent element in all his artworks.

The red sun depicts Japan – the land of the rising sun.

Fusion Art by Rakesh

Rakesh created this mural in the traditional art style of Madhya Pradesh called Gond to show the need for maintaining an ecological balance.

Terracotta by Tellas

Tellas, an Italian artist painted this masterpiece in block 16 of Lodhi Colony to represent the importance of human connection to nature.

She named it “terra cotta” that translates to “baked earth” in Italian.

Saath Saath – Community Wall by and with the Residents of Lodhi Colony

Saath Saath (together) is a community wall in block 18 painted by residents of Lodhi Colony themselves.

St+art team helped the inhabitants of all ages and backgrounds to create a mural around the issues that matter to them most.

An artist, Dattaraj Naik gave a final shape to the artwork.

New Delhi by Nespoon

A Polish artist, Nespoon used intricate lace motifs and doilies to create a colorful mural in block 15 of Lodhi Colony.

She says that traditionally and vibrantly dressed women of Lodhi Colony are the inspiration behind her work.