Lotus & Peacock design life size carpets inside new Parliament were made in Mirzapur by OBEETEE artisans
The alluring carpets measuring 17,500 square feet each, covering the enormous floors of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were meticulously hand-knotted by Mirzapur artisans working with century-old firm Obeetee Carpets.
It took 900 weavers from Uttar Pradesh’s Bhadohi and Mirzapur spending a total of 10,00,000 hours of menial work to complete the carpets adorning the new Parliament building in New Delhi.
More than a century old company was set up by three Britishers – FH Oakley, FH Bowden and JAL Taylor – whose artists worked on the intricate designs for the past seven months with peacock and lotus motifs forming the central theme.
According to Rudra Chatterjee, the current owner of the firm, “The design inspiration for the carpets in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha halls goes beyond mere aesthetics. It draws deeply from India’s rich history and cultural significance. We have tried to capture the essence of India’s heritage and incorporate it into the design of these prestigious spaces.”
In order to resonate with the central theme of the interior which has three national symbols – the lotus, the peacock, and the banyan tree, each motif, colour choice, and pattern was carefully selected to create a visually striking representation of India’s identity within the halls.
By incorporating peacock motifs into the design, the carpet pays homage to the cultural and natural heritage of India while Rajya Sabha carpet exhibit the exquisite motifs of the lotus, the country’s national flower.
Apart from the Parliament building, Obeetee is credited with installing the carpets in some of the world’s coveted precincts, palaces, heritage hotels and government buildings including the Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, the JW Marriott Essex House New York The Oberoi Marrakech Morocco and Soho House Chicago.