BENGALURU: Kalpaney 2.0, a landmark modern fine-dining restaurant in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, has launched a community-driven public art initiative celebrating India’s rich cultural heritage.
The initiative pays tribute to Kalamkari, the centuries-old traditional art form known for its intricate motifs and narrative storytelling, while transforming an ordinary neighbourhood wall into a vibrant cultural landmark.
Inspired by Kalamkari’s distinctive visual language, the large-scale mural features whimsical, culinary-inspired characters illustrated in the style of the celebrated Indian art tradition. The artwork is also being designed to incorporate Augmented Reality features, allowing visitors to scan selected illustrations and experience subtle digital animations.
The interactive element aims to introduce younger audiences to the richness of traditional Indian art while creating an engaging bridge between heritage, technology and contemporary urban culture.
A Collaborative Celebration of Art and Community
Conceived as a collaborative creative project, Kalpaney 2.0 brings together local artists, residents, volunteers, content creators and cultural communities to reinterpret Kalamkari’s intricate storytelling traditions in a modern urban setting.
The project has been undertaken in collaboration with Rotaract Indiranagar, which is mobilising volunteers and encouraging neighbourhood residents to participate in the creation of the mural.
Reflecting on the initiative, Avinash Kapoli, Founder of Kalpaney, said: “India’s traditional art forms carry generations of stories, craftsmanship and cultural identity. Through Kalpaney 2.0, we wanted to celebrate Kalamkari by presenting it in a format that feels accessible and relevant to today’s audiences.”
He added: “As part of the Indiranagar neighbourhood, we felt that our first contribution should be something that belongs to everyone—a shared space where art, heritage, technology and community come together. We hope this initiative strengthens our relationship with residents and adds cultural value to the neighbourhood.”
Residents Turn the Mural into a Shared Expression
The project witnessed enthusiastic and heartwarming participation from local residents.
Among the contributors was an auto-rickshaw driver who is also a passionate artist. He stopped by the site and volunteered his artistic skills. An IT professional also joined the painting activity during his morning walk, motivated by a desire to contribute to the neighbourhood.
Alongside artists and volunteers, these spontaneous acts of participation transformed the mural from a planned artwork into a genuine community expression.
The initiative reflects how public art can bring together people from diverse backgrounds and turn shared spaces into symbols of creativity, cultural pride and collective imagination.
About Kalpaney
Kalpaney is a modern vegetarian restaurant in Bengaluru, co-founded by Avinash Kapoli and Chef Sombir Chaudhary, with the vision and support of Jagdish Kapoli.
Rooted in the spirit of imagination, its name is derived from the Hindi word Kalpana. The restaurant reimagines global vegetarian cuisine through emotion, memory and storytelling.
Kalpaney offers a soulful dining experience where traditional ingredients meet modern creativity in a warm, home-like setting designed to encourage reflection and connection.
More than a place to dine, Kalpaney seeks to create a space where guests can pause, remember and rediscover the quiet joys of hospitality, culture and shared experiences.
