A few decades ago an airport was far from representative of the tradition and history of a particular nation. But things have changed, and now-a-days passengers actually look forward to spend a few hours at the airport between their flights. Airports across the world are now showcasing the art and culture at the airport through various means and thus providing the first and last impression of a country, state or city where airport is situated. The museums, activity areas, exhibitions and other events present in airports enhanced travellers’ experience at many levels. Happily India is also now not behind in depicting its rich art and culture at various Airports.
Kolkata has long been known for its literary, artistic, and revolutionary heritage, as the former capital of India. Also, Kolkata was the birth place of modern Indian literary and artistic thought. Kolkata tend to have a special appreciation for art and literature; its transition of welcoming new talent has made it the city of Furious Creative Energy. For these reasons, Kolkata has often been dubbed as the Cultural capital of India or the literary Capital of India.
The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBIA) at Kolkata is the gateway to the East Asian Countries. It has undergone several changes and modifications over the last several decades to meet the growing air traffic requirements.
“Airports Authority of India is determined to preserve the Art and Culture of the country in general and the States in particular where the airport is located, the same can be felt at our state-of-the-art Airports spread across the length and breadth of the country, Kolkata Airport is one amongst them. We believe if art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him”, said Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, IAS, Chairman-AAI.
The landscape concept for the airport terminal is rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Kolkata and Bengal. It is conceived as one of the biggest pieces of land art inspired by works of literary giant Rabindranath Tagore. The land art connects the building with its environment, the outside with the inside and creates a unique landscape. It also offers two disparate spatial experiences- the vastness of the grand central garden and the intimacy of the internal courtyards. The grand central garden is a canvas inspired by paintings and poems by Tagore. It also acts as the setting for the building. The garden occurs in two levels separated by a sweeping curve, a direct inspiration from one of Tagore’s famous paintings.
Compared to the simplicity of the lower level, the upper level of the garden is rightly textured and patterned. The pattern, which is unique in nature, has many variations. Inspired by letters and words extracted from one of the famous poems from Gitanjali, becomes an art form for people to enjoy while at Airport.
Inside the terminal building, the landscape is about a series of intimate courtyards that are natural oasis in the building. Platforms housing trees appear to float on pools that are laid out in the orthogonally designed courtyards, providing a sense of peace and tranquility.
Interior work of the New Terminal of Kolkata Airport is inspired from the work of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Airports Authority of India has also installed an 18ft tall statute of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in front of the Terminal in whose honour this airport is named.
At many places at the Airport, paintings of great painters of West Bengal have been showcased which are the object of attraction for International and Domestic passengers.
While travelling through Kolkata Airport, passengers can have the glimpse of Rabindranath Tagore’s letters and scripts which have been vividly reproduced in the ceiling of Terminal Building by using powder coated alluminium piping in such a way that it will surely spellbound the travelers. In another huge ceiling of Terminal Building, Tagore's handwritings have been converted into embossed letters, which is very rare at airports all over the globe.
Passengers without moving out of Kolkata Airport can enjoy the art and culture of the city at airport itself; as all are now available inside the terminal building at walls, ceiling and even on the city side of Terminal. “Well done Airports Authority of India”, says Peter Claus from Germany, an International passenger while transiting through Kolkata Airport.