A Feast for the Eyes: Inspiring wall art in Indian restaurants

Art is being added in some Indian restaurants art as an additional attraction to bring people across the threshold.

“Art makes a room. It is part of the culture of the place. As much as the food makes a statement about the restaurant, so does art.” Raymond Blanc. 

Henna Girl: Suzie Devey's iconic wall painting in the Sheesh Mahal

Art and food are inextricably linked: whilst food provides nourishment, a source of pleasure and sustenance for the body and mind, art provides nourishment for the soul. A stunning interior, painting or photograph on which diners can feast their eyes, not only enhances the décor, it adds interest, creates a talking point, defines the ambiance and renders it unique.  

For some years now, restaurants such as The Ivy and Le Gavroche have been showcasing paintings to popular acclaim. Now, Indian restaurateurs have also recognised the value of featuring original art to create exciting and beautiful spaces. 

Whether the interpretation portrays the exotic, the tribal, atmospheric or romantic vistas of far-away lands, a renaissance is underway. Thanks to the vision of enlightened owners and managers, restaurants are fast becoming the art galleries of the modern world. Let's take a look at some that are leading the way:

Sheesh Mahal, Hartlepool

A stamp inspired the wonderful paintings of artist Suzie Devey which now adorn the walls of the Sheesh Mahal restaurant in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool.

Suzie explains: “The restaurant owner, Shahrouf Miah, wanted one painting of the Taj Mahal, on the wall. I collected postage stamps as a little girl and I remembered one stamp which featured the Taj Mahal. I researched other stamps and presented the idea of enlarging the stamps from over 2cm square to over 8 feet! They liked the idea so much they wanted me to create the design around the entire walls of the restaurant.” 

Suzie then worked with the owners’ whole family to create the large-scale henna designs. “They were a wonderful family to work with,” remembers Suzie. “The dancers were the owner’s daughters’ idea as they wanted to have a contemporary twist to their space which reflected their love of Bollywood films. The girl behind the bar was created to tie the design together.”

It took about 100 hours to create the paintings which now also include a temple in Kolkata, a Bengali tiger, Bollywood dancing and a tea picker in India. The result is a vibrant, contemporary and inspiring space that draws on the contemporary as well as the traditional.

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The Miah family was so thrilled with the results they held a relaunch of the restaurant just to showcase the artwork. “We are over the moon with Suzie’s work,” said Samia Begum, daughter of Shahrouf Miah. “The customers are really happy with it and it has made the restaurant look really homely.”

For Suzie, playing with scale and proportion and creating new ideas are the most enjoyable aspects of art. “My ethos is that paintings are for people, not just walls!” she says.

Malvern Tilla, Malvern

Atmospheric panoramic work of Jan Sedlacek

Set in the moody Malvern Hills, the Malvern Tilla Indian restaurant provides a showcase for the large format panoramic work of celebrated fine art, commercial and landscape photographer, Jan Sedlacek.

After moving from the Czech Republic to the UK, Jan was so captivated by the beautiful landscapes of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, he decided to settle in Malvern, where he formed his company digitlight.co.uk. Now his art is celebrated across the world.

Locally, Jan’s work can be seen in diverse settings ranging from Worcestershire businesses, hotels and several Indian restaurants. In the Malvern Tilla, Jan’s images provide a dramatic backdrop with their depiction of the surrounding landscape. Balanced between photography and painting, full of unusual light, they bring the untamed outdoors indoors, lead the eye and create an atmosphere of mystery.  

Memsaab, Nottingham

These quirky paintings, found in Memsaab Indian restaurant in Nottingham, provide a talking point for customers according to the restaurant’s co-owner Amita Sawnhey.  Created by an Indian artist, the works depict a range of colourful, characters: bejewelled maharajahs, fierce Sikhs and bearded warriors, adding an idiosyncratic touch of humour to the décor.

Cutler’s Spice, Sheffield

Sheffield-based artist Brian Smith had a fine time creating the mural commissioned by Allam Shah Ullah, executive chef and director of popular Cutler’s Spice Indian restaurant in Sheffield.

The brief was pilgrims doing their ablutions by the Ganges in the ancient city of Varanasi. “It turned out to be a complex composition,” explains Brian. “As far as the architecture is concerned, the client wanted a representation of the general vernacular rather than anything specific, so the mural had a design element to it which I always enjoy.”

Rendering the painting in a mixture of emulsion and acrylic paints, Brian says he used everything from paint rollers to fine brushes.

“It was very like painting oils on canvas and gave me a free rein,” commented Brian who believes the mural is one of the most exciting artistic forms. Cutler’s Spice owner, Allam Shah Ullah is equally delighted with the result. His restaurant is now not only famous for the fine food and atmosphere; it’s also remembered for its magnificent painting.

The Eastern Eye, Bath

The Eastern Eye restaurant in Bath presents a relatively modest exterior so visitors may be forgiven for doing a double take upon entering. Set in a grand, vaulted Georgian ballroom, overlooked by three glass domes, the restaurant’s most awe-inspiring feature are the massive hand painted Indian murals that line the restaurant’s three main walls. In an explosion of rich, vibrant colours, they portray scenes in a Moghul Palace with dancers, musicians and worshippers, creating a lavish and opulent atmosphere beloved by celebrities.

The Eastern Eye has been run by Mr Abdul Choudhury and his family since 1984 (in its present location from 1997). The paintings have a more recent provenance than the building’s history suggests and are the work of award-winning international artist, Apulpan Ditt, who befriended Mr Choudhury in Dubai in 2004. Mr Choudhury invited Mr Ditt to revamp the interior of his restaurant in the UK. The 42-year-old artist worked through the night for two months, to spectacular effect. “I was so pleased with the finished product,” said Mr Choudhury. “I asked my customers what they thought and everybody says it is out of this world. These paintings have changed the way people see the restaurant. They give it a truly unique aesthetic appeal.”

Raunka Punjab Divan, Southall

With a name that means ‘Glimpses of Punjab’, the Raunka Punjab Diyan in Southall offers more than a fleeting view of India. The whole interior is an artistic recreation of a rural Punjabi village, an impression further enhanced by colourful ethnic furnishings and staff dressed in traditional costumes. Restaurateur and owner Rajen Wadheran was inspired to develop the concept after previous success running themed venues. He commissioned an artist from India to paint a mural of golden, sun-warmed landscapes with villagers plying their daily tasks; fetching water, spinning or cooking.  

Another wall depicts an old-style tractor, complete with passengers and 3D effects. There are authentic Indian cooking pots and artefacts dotted around and there’s even a vintage Enfield motorbike on display. Diners love the ambiance, especially those who hail from the thriving Seikh community in Southall, many of whom describe Raunka Punjab Diyan as a home from home.

Cinnamon Kitchen, London

The collection of photographs in Cinnamon Kitchen was originally commissioned for sister restaurant the Cinnamon Club and there is more to them than meets the eye. “The idea behind the collection is tradition meets modern,” says marketing manager Helen Geach. “You will notice that a lot of the images are of very traditional Indian street scenes, however if you look closer you will see that the subject is holding a modern piece of technology such as a phone or mac book. Or perhaps they are reading a Top Gear magazine or Financial Times, or wearing shades.”

Masala Zone, London

Masala Zone, Soho

Already known for setting the standards for informal, imaginative restaurant design, the Masala Zone Restaurant Group pioneers Indian art by bringing permanent exhibitions to the UK. The Group has the whole gamut of Indian tribal and folk art in their restaurants across London. The Islington, and Soho branches lead the way, commissioning traditional tribal artists from different regions who actually painted the artwork on the walls. Bayswater has vibrant and exotic pop art blow-ups of firecracker labels from Sivakasi in South India done as a collage. Islington Masala Zone features brightly coloured murals by two painters from Gond, a forested area of Madhya Pradesh. A sister restaurant in Earls Court is covered with breath-taking, large canvases of Madhubani traditional folk art – a style of geometric painting with fingers and twigs from Bihar village in eastern India. The story, with modern resonance, tells of a tiger who wished to move to London aided by a migratory bird.

Masala Zone, Bayswater

So, whether restaurateurs are commissioning the work of local artists and photographers, or introducing the British public to aspects of Indian art and culture, restaurants offer a blank canvas with the possibility to inspire and enhance the dining experience. In a unique bonding of culture and food that appeals to all the diners’ senses as well as their palates, beautiful artwork provides food for the mind.

“I like the unexpected setting of a restaurant for art. If you're sitting beside great art, eating great food and drinking great wine, it is a voluptuous experience, and makes for a great evening.” Artist Maggi Hambling. 

Curry Life Chefs Turn up the Heat in Hyderabad

 Once again Curry Life chefs have been over to India to showcase UK curry and food at the 10-day Taste of Britain Curry Festival. This year the bi-annual event was held in scorching Hyderabad at The Park Hyatt Hotel where the restaurant and ball room were redolent with aromas of British curries and even, at times, good old Lancashire Hot Pot and Sunday Roast.

The team of top chefs from the UK included Partha Mittra, Consultant Chef for Curry Life; Allam Shah Ullah of Cutlers Spice in Sheffield; Abul Monsur of Taj Cuisine in Chatham; Abdus Shahid from Valley Connection in Bury St Edmonds; Altaf Hussain of Yuva Fine Fusion in Royston, and Anwar Hussain of Navaa Fine Fusion, Sudbury. They were joined by Dominic Chapman Michelin star chef who served up a ‘Best of British’ menu while his fellow chefs, naturally, focused on British curry.

The festival even had the support of Prime Minister David Cameron who sent a letter to the festival organisers, saying how delighted he was to see the unique British brand of Asian cuisine being sought in the countries from where it originally came. Home Secretary Theresa May and MPs including Keith Vaz, Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, also came on board to offer their best wishes.

As usual, the event caught the attention of the Indian and British press. At the media lunch, journalists, distinguished guests and Hyderabadi food aficionados had their appetites well and truly whetted by the mouth-watering menu of 80 dishes prepared by the chefs. In addition to the ubiquitous Chicken Tikka Masala, the spread included:  Dhania Salmon Kebabs, Oregano Chicken Tikka, Shatkora Gosht, Sunehri Pulao  and Dal a la Kent with other British influenced fusion dishes such as Lamb Rani Chops, Chicken Roulade and Cocktail Paneer Kebabs. Desserts included Gulab Jamun and Ras Malai, while Dominic’s traditional British fare served up with Michelin flair, also showcased the often overlooked British desserts such as Eton Mess and Bread and Butter pudding.

“The meat dishes stand out, redolent with their just-perfect-consistency-of curry, spicy and creamy gravies,” raved the correspondent from The Times of India Swati Sucharita, although she admitted she found the chicken tikka masala “a tad sweet”, besides being “creamily delectable”. The Dal a la Kent, (speciality of chef Abul Monsur) made with mixed lentils was described as “the stuff soul food is made of, deeply fragrant with the ghee jeera-red chillies tempering and packed with the goodness of mixed lentils”. Spicy vegetable and cheese kebabs were likened to the “quintessential Vegetable Chop that delights from the streets of Kolkata, spiked with some cheese filling.”

But the festival also provided the opportunity for an interchange of ideas. Hyderabad is renowned for its biryani, a classic dish of the Mughal Nizams which often contains goat meat.  It is made either with raw, marinated ingredients sealed and cooked by the slow dum cooking process (Kachi), or with the meat and rice cooked separately and then layered (Pakhi).   Chefs and organisers were keen to try out the dish on its home ground and learn from the Hyatt culinary team. “Last year when we did the festival in Kolkata our chefs picked up a lot of fish and dessert dishes, so there is a lot of incorporating Indian regional cuisines that we will do in terms of takeaways from the festival,” said Syed Belal Ahmed. “No doubt, this year, the chefs will be hoping to get some first hand tips on how to prepare the authentic version of Hyderabad biryani.”

Restaurateur Amin Ali of the award-winning Red Fort in London, who attended the festival described how many years ago, he introduced the dish in his fine dining restaurant: “We had come to Hyderabad as early as the ‘90s and took back with us Hyderabadi chefs from the Nizam’s Club and Taj Krishna, so you could get authentic Hyderabadi Biryasni and Mirchi ka Salan at our restaurant in Soho,” he told reporters.

Syed Belal Ahmed, explained some of the differences between curries adapted to British tastes and home grown Indian dishes: “The curries enjoyed in India are no longer quite the same as the ones in Britain,” he said. “Improvisation has taken place and British herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano are common and the dishes are spiced down. So the chicken tikka masala which you would be served in London may be creamy and smooth. Dishes also use less oil and healthier than their Indian counterparts.”

It wasn’t all work for the chefs however – towards the end of the visit they were able to take a well earned break to see some of the sights of Hyderabad including the Ramoji Film Studio before they headed back home with plenty of food for thought.

The main sponsor of the event was Cobra Beer whose CEO Lord Karan Bilimoria also hails from Hyderabad. Other sponsors included Ellwoods, Jaguar, Curries Online, Annecto UK, Chivas, Goldstar Chefs, Pasco and Pegasus Textiles.  

The festival was inaugurated by Deputy British High Commissioner to Hyderabad, Mr Andrew McAllister.

Taste of Britain Curry Festival takes British curry and Michelin star chef to Kolkata

Ever since Curry Life’s Taste of Britain Curry Festival launched at the 5-star Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kolkata on 23^rd August 2013 it seems diners can’t get enough of curries with a quintessentially British taste. 

The Taste of Britain Curry festival has previously had considerable success in Kolkata – in 2010 at Hotel Hindustan International, customers arrived in their droves for a taste of British curry cuisine. Nevertheless, it is something of a challenge for chefs to impress Bengali diners who are passionate about food and are used to cooking things in a certain way.

Over the course of the ten-day festival our five top curry chefs selected from across the UK are showcasing over 70 signature dishes with a flavour of Great Britain. The dream team of chefs includes Allam Shah Ullah of Sheffield Cutler’s Spice; Jamal Ahmed of the Shozna restaurant in Rochester; Tofozzul Miah from Bayleaf, Barnet in North London and Salim Ahmed Siddique from Raj Bari, Yarm in Stockton on Tees.  At the helm is Chef Partha Mittra, legendary chef at the Snooty Mehmaan restaurant in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

This year, the festival sees an even more radical approach. Our team also includes Michelin star chef Dominic Chapman of The Royal Oak Paley Street in Berkshire who is championing the cause of traditional British foods. This could be described as a bit of a challenge. Consider this - after more than 200 years of rule by the British Raj, two of the relatively few Anglo culinary traditions adopted by the Indians were fish rissoles and salted beef tongue. From India on the other hand, the British gained their favourite food ever – curry!

Dominic, who recently gave a Masterclass about obtaining a Michelin star at Curry Life’s Chefs seminar, has the singular accolade of once being headhunted by celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal. After working with the great man for several years, Dominic went on to achieve even greater success at The Royal Oak Paley Street a 17th- century pub in Maidenhead, co-owned by Nick Parkinson, son of the well-loved TV personality Michael Parkinson.

This is Dominic’s first trip to India and he sees it as a great opportunity to learn more about Indian food and cooking; working alongside some of the best curry chefs in the business. He's also looking forward to getting out and about in Kolkata to find out more about the street foods and markets in the city.

At the press launch attended by the UK Deputy High Commissioner in Eastern India, Sanjay Wadvani, curious members of the media not only had the chance to test Anglo Indian fusion cuisine such as Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Pasanda, they were also served (if it’s not an oxymoron) British Scotch eggs and Lemon Tart.  Let me point out that this was no ordinary Scotch egg – it was a true Michelin star of an egg (quail in fact), slightly runny and surrounded by melt in the mouth minced lamb and crisp breadcrumbs.

Other Anglo Indian signature dishes cooked by the chefs included Shepherd’s Manpasand Pie, Lamb Chops with plum and coriander sauce and Bengal Lancers Shrimp Curry.

Having satisfied the appetites of members of the media, the festival launched on Friday 23^rd August in Hyatt’s prestigious Waterside Restaurant, attended by General Manager Britta Leick-Milde. Chief Guest Stephen Brice, Deputy Head of Mission & Consul Business Development (aka James Bond), cut the ribbon and the festival was underway.  Diners at the Hyatt have been suitably impressed ever since. We’ll let you know how the festival pans out (if you’ll excuse the pun), with recipes and photos.

The Taste of Britain Festival is taking place at The Hyatt Regency Hotel, JA-1, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata, WB 700098, India

Phone:+91 33 2335 1234