In 2006, Lamborghini officially marked its presence on the Indian landscape, introducing three models – the Gallardo, Gallardo Spyder, and the Murciélago. Since then, the Indian market has evolved into a pivotal domain for the Italian supercar manufacturer.
During this remarkable period, Lamborghini’s President and CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, asserted that the company’s entry into India was not a mere coincidence but a strategic move. He highlighted that the flourishing Indian economy, with a burgeoning list of billionaires and millionaires, made it an inherently attractive and consequential market for Lamborghini.
Over the years, this foresight has materialised into a success story for the luxury car-maker. Sharad Agarwal, Head of Lamborghini India, attested to the commendable growth experienced by the brand, particularly in Tier-I cities, signifying the maturation of the Indian market for Lamborghini.
As a testament to its enduring success in India, Lamborghini celebrated its 60th anniversary in a manner befitting the country’s vibrant culture. In collaboration with The Plated Project, Lamborghini India announced an art project that commemorated the seamless fusion of artistic expression and the brand’s innovative automotive design.
One might assume that the selection of models intended to embody these six decades would inherently shape the overarching narrative of the concept. However, this assumption proves inaccurate in this instance. Instead, it was the narrative itself that wielded influence over the choice of models showcased. The dominant narrative centred around ‘Sadanga’ which encompasses the six limbs of Indian art: Lavanya-yojanam (infusion of grace), Sadrisyam (likeness), Pramana (proportion), Varnika-bhanga (mixing of colours), Rupa-bheda (variation of form) and Bhava (depiction of emotion).
LAVANYA-YOJANAM
Painted by Bhumika Mukherjee and adorned with the artisanal mastery of Mohammed Ovaid Ansari, ‘Lavanya-yojanam’ unfolds as a choreographed dance on canvas — an orchestrated convergence of forms that yields a seamless and aesthetically pleasing composition. This artistic endeavour transcends mere arrangement; it is a clandestine methodology for constructing visual landscapes that allure and endure in the observer’s consciousness, akin to the enduring appeal of the Lamborghini Miura.
The Miura is enmeshed in a captivating interplay of carefully selected elements from the rich tapestry of Indian culture. The vehicle harmoniously blends with traditional motifs while simultaneously asserting itself as the defining element. “To visually exemplify the essence of ‘Lavanya’ in our artwork we incorporate supporting artistic symbolisms from varied Indian art forms. Beyond borrowing independent symbolism for grace from Indian art forms, we naturally explore the aesthetic aspects of the Miura that justify its use as an embodiment of grace, a face of ‘Lavanya'”, Mukherjee posited.
As a nod to Lamborghini’s logo and core inspiration, the top section features a graceful Hand Mudra, paying tribute not only to Lamborghini’s fearless bull but also to the karana mudra of Buddha, as observed in Namchi, India. The incorporation of Shringara Rasa, symbolising attraction and beauty in Indian aesthetics, aligns with the colour green, seamlessly integrating Miura’s green hue into the painting.
The Khajuraho sculpture of a woman applying kajal to her eyes incorporates two layers—a symbolic enhancement of beauty through kohl and an interpretation of the eye as an elegant instrument of perception and external beauty. This motif mirrors Miura’s iconic headlights, with long, beautiful eyelashes positioned on the left of the composition.
Acknowledged as one of the most beautiful cars, the Lamborghini Miura captivates not only with its elegance but also with its embellishments. Charging bulls, embellished with gold around their necks, make an appearance in the artwork. The lively dance of organza fabric appliques, meticulously outlined with delicate metal wire, creates an ethereal garden of 3D flowers.
Ansari’s judicious ornamentation added a whole new dimension to the artpiece manifesting in the resplendent peacock adorned with intricate carpet embroidery and silk threads, showcasing the artistry of chain stitch looped with glass beads. The iconic headlights undergo a transformative reimagining through a 3D metal wire technique, adorned with mono-faceted beads, crafting the enchanting ‘eyelash’ effect.
SADRISYAM
Crafted by Rohan Dahotre and embellished by Mohammed Ovaid Ansari, the Lamborghini Diablo stands as a testament to mechanical brilliance, a masterpiece celebrated with meticulous artistry. Its audacious elegance finds a parallel in the unwavering grandeur of Nandi. Each brushstroke unveils a mesmerising dance of reflections, where the muscular contours, sleek windows, iconic wheel rims, and enigmatic lighting of the automobile harmoniously mirror Nandi’s stoic grace. This visual narrative unfolds as a testament to likeness, capturing the essence of ‘Sadrishyam’.
In this art piece, machine and myth converge, intertwining strength and beauty in a visual symphony that offers a profound experience in both artistic and engineering realms. The canvas becomes a radiant tapestry, bathed in the golden touch of Zardosi embroidery, accentuating the Diablo’s vibrant yellow hue. Metal threads and cut beads, intertwined with crystal stonework, add a layer of intricacy and opulence to this artistic portrayal.
The collaboration between Dahotre and Ansari manifests as a seamless fusion of automotive prowess and artisanal craftsmanship, transcending mere representation to encapsulate the essence of the Lamborghini Diablo in a visually striking and emotionally resonant composition.
PRAMANA
Designed by Aashti Miller and adorned with the artisanal inputs of Parvez Ansari, the Lamborghini Countach emerges as a manifestation of ‘Pramana’—a commitment to faithful proportions, measurements, and the harmonious fusion of artistic elements to achieve a sense of balance and symmetry.
The Lamborghini Countach goes beyond being just a car and emerges as an enduring symbol of power, innovation, and avant-garde design—an immortal icon. Similarly, symbols of Indian architecture have gracefully stood the test of time, showcasing innovative designs that have adeptly addressed unconventional challenges through the centuries. According to Aashti, these architectural marvels embody a timeless fusion of engineering and art, leaving an indelible mark on history, characterised by their unwavering commitment to precision, proportion, and geometric harmony, encapsulated by the concept of ‘Pramana’.
Exploring this dynamic interplay and drawing inspiration from architectural drafting principles, each layer of the artwork seamlessly links to the one above and below it. The radial plan of the Lotus Temple organises the Countach’s distinctive scissor doors, extending from the centre and aligning with the plan axes, resembling the delicate petals of a lotus. Extending outward from these doors, the rest of the car unfolds along a single line that connects its front and rear. An elevation of the Lotus Temple emerges from the plan, with its form intricately interwoven with elements of the Countach. Lastly, from beneath, lotus petals spiral outward, their arrangement echoing the golden ratio.
The car doors, bathed in a rich yellow hue, are precision-cut from Plexiglass, radiating contemporary elegance heightened by the ancient artistry of Meenakari enamelling. The Lotus Temple itself is crafted using the diagonal loading technique, blending architectural and artistic exactitude into a seamless fusion of form and function. This collaborative effort between Miller and Ansari transcends the boundaries of automotive design and artisanal craftsmanship, capturing the essence of the Lamborghini Countach in a composition that harmonises precision, elegance, and innovation.
Embracing bold and angular shapes, the canvas transforms into a geometric and surreal dreamscape, where time and space converge, blurring the boundaries between the past, present, and future. The Countach, free from the constraints of reality, sees its iconic wedge-shaped silhouette intricately mingling with the symmetrical and balanced proportions of the Lotus Temple. Aashti emphasises that amidst this symphony of contrasts, the artwork encourages viewers to delve into the interplay between art and engineering, power and beauty, manmade and natural, the transient and the everlasting.
VARNIKA-BHANGA
Crafted by Priyanka Thakkar and embellished with intricate details by Dhaivat Shreshth, the ‘Varnika Bhanga’ art piece is deeply rooted in the profound knowledge of colour theory. It skillfully employs colours to fashion a visual composition, abundant in harmony, contrast, and vibrancy. This artwork celebrates Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program, seamlessly blending the unique identity of each personalised car with the enduring joy chord of Indian artistry.
The composition orchestrates an achromatic ballet, mirroring the expressive kaleidoscope found in Theyyam and Kathakali performances, where ‘Rasas‘ convey a myriad of emotions. The iconic features of the Lamborghini Urus—majestic horns, diffuser fins, and hexagonal tire patterns—gracefully dance in three-dimensional splendour, giving life to a dynamic and expressive persona.
Transforming into celestial dancers, delicate metal pieces gracefully pirouette, imbuing the artwork with a captivating three-dimensional presence and establishing a subtle equilibrium. The magic of non-contact laser-cutting orchestrates a cosmic ballet through precise incisions, adding a layer of precision and finesse to the overall composition. Thakkar and Shreshth’s collaborative effort elevates the Ad Personam program into an art form, where the personalised cars become a canvas for a symphony of colours and forms, resonating with the rich traditions of Indian artistry.
RUPA-BHEDA
Crafted by Surabhi Banerjee and meticulously hand-painted by Ramesh Nanavare, this composition is further enriched by the artisanal work of Sheikh Mohammed Misrahu. Paying a tribute to the Lamborghini Huracán’s V-10 engine, the contours of this powerhouse seamlessly weave into a central garland motif. The composition unfolds as a tapestry where the silhouette of the engine shapes the narrative, intricately intertwined with six ragas—an homage to the musical frameworks of Indian ragamalas.
Numerals, akin to musical notes, embellish the metal outline of the engine, representing the firing sequence. Simultaneously, they resonate with the specific time of day associated with each raga, establishing a poetic dialogue between the resounding engine and timeless melodies. This intersection of power and tradition, grounded in both mechanical prowess and artistic expression, becomes the hallmark of this artistic masterpiece.
At the core of this creation, laser-cut and electroplated brass metal plates take on the distinctive form of the exhaust, merging with the timeless artistry of Meenakari enamelling. The ‘Pitta’ technique, a play of pressure upon metal wires, elegantly frames these plates, infusing a delicate yet dynamic quality to the composition. Delicate beadwork and silk thread embellishments add another layer of motion and earthy texture to the canvas.
The collaborative efforts of Banerjee, Nanavare, and Misrahu transformed the Lamborghini Huracán into a canvas where power, emotion, tradition, and artistic expression converge in a symphony of visual storytelling.
BHAVA
Brought to life by the collaborative efforts of Reshidev RK and Shamsher Ansari, this composition serves as a lyrical celebration of the Lamborghini Revuelto’s pledge to a sustainable tomorrow. The central figure, cradled in nature’s embrace and adorned with iconic motifs, extends an invitation for the bull to bound limitlessly into a realm of boundless technology. Within this futuristic tapestry, emotions entwine, orchestrating a seamless interplay between legacy and visionary impact, all within the realm of metal and imagination.
At the core of this masterpiece lies the ‘fareesha’ matting embroidery technique. Vibrant metal wire and colours come together to sculpt a majestic bull that gracefully adorns the jacket. The utilisation of a 3D metal wire technique breathes life into delicate blooms, employing a kaleidoscope of cut beads to create a captivating three-dimensional effect.
The collaborative efforts of RK and Ansari transcend mere automotive aesthetics, transforming the Lamborghini Revuelto into a canvas where avant-garde design, sustainable aspirations, and artisanal mastery converge. This composition serves as a testament to the harmonious coexistence of technology, art, and ecological consciousness in the pursuit of a sustainable future.
These six remarkable masterpieces, painted on hexagonal canvases, serve as a celebration of Lamborghini’s six successful decades in more than just six ways. Each artist approached the project with a unique perspective, interpreting and rendering onto the canvas a distinctive facet of the whole. The artisans then added their own dimension to each artwork, all while remaining faithful to the larger narrative that seeks to harmonise the design language of Lamborghini with the essence of Sadanga.
On being asked about her vision for the project, Shruti Grover, Embroidery Designer and Developer, shared that the core concept behind the artworks was taking the traditional surface embroideries and embellishments of India to the world, she added “We have brought about an amalgamation of the most traditional hand done embroidery techniques of India, namely pechni, resham geetha, saadi fareesha, resham challa and saadi nakshi pitta techniques with modern laser cutting of plexiglass and electroplated metal plates.”
The Plated Project skillfully demonstrated a commendable balancing act in both vision and execution of the event. Chitresh Sinha, the founder of The Plated Project, expressed, “Our mission has always been to convey impactful stories through the power of art. ‘Shadanga’ presented the perfect opportunity to achieve this, providing us with incredible breadth to narrate captivating stories of Lamborghini’s journey over six decades, juxtaposing them with elements from India’s art and cultural history. Collaborating with an exceptional group of artists and artisans, each piece demanded over 120 hours to complete.”