Fri 12 Jun | 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start | Entry free, registration required
We are honoured to host the London Re-Release Ceremony of Mrs Sudha Murty’s 51st book, Tides of Time: Bharat’s History Through Murals in Parliament by His Excellency Mr Kumaran Periasamy, High Commissioner of India to the UK, in the distinguished presence of the author, Smt. Sudha Murty, Honourable Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and Sri Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys Limited.
Tides of Time: Bharat’s History Through Murals in Parliament, published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Government of India, was released jointly by the Honourable Vice President of India, Shri. C. P. Radhakrishnan and the Honourable Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri. Om Birla on April 1st, 2026 at the historic Princes’ Chambers of the Old Parliament Building.
About Tides of Time:
Murals are among humanity’s oldest forms of communication. Long before written language was fully developed, people used paintings to express their emotions and document their daily lives. This tradition of visual storytelling is evident across civilisations, and Bharat is no exception.
From the prehistoric caves of Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, where paintings over 30,000 years old depict geometric patterns, humans and animals, to the murals of the Ajanta and Ellora caves rendered in natural colours with exquisite artistry, Bharat’s walls have long preserved its stories. In later periods, Indian kings and emperors commissioned paintings to decorate courts and palaces, incorporating increasingly complex colours, patterns and styles.
In 1954, the first speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri G. V. Mavalankar, commissioned 58 mural panels along the circular corridors of the Samvidhan Sadan (the Old Parliament Building). As one walks these corridors, the murals unfold as a chronological journey through Bharat’s history, beginning with the Indus Valley Civilisation at Mohenjo-daro and culminating in the historic flag hoisting at the Red Fort in 1947.
The inspiration for Tides of Time emerged from a personal observation by Mrs Sudha Murty. While visiting the Samvidhan Sadan, she noticed students pausing briefly before these magnificent murals. Upon conversing with them, she discovered that while they were curious to know more about the history behind the art, there was no available literature on the subject, rather only a single line description on the copper plates below.
She then embarked on a labour of love that spanned over 20 months to document the profound stories captured within these walls. Tides of Time presents the historical context behind each of the 58 murals, serving as a tribute to the artists and curators who depicted the values of Bharatiya Sanskriti—shaped by tolerance, patience, and compassion. Mrs Murty has dedicated the book to ‘the people of Bharat – from Mohenjo-daro to the present day, and to all the soldiers who have protected and continue to protect our borders, so that Bharat remains a safe, sovereign and democratic nation.’ Through this book, she shares her hope that future generations will engage with and enjoy the richness of the culture she has known.
Mrs Murty is grateful to the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, the Honourable Vice-President, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri. Narendra Modi and the Honourable Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri. Om Birla for their guidance and unwavering support for this massive undertaking. She is also thankful to the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Honourable Secretary General of the Lok Sabha, Shri. Utpal Kumar Singh, who has supported her tremendously in this publication.
*VERY FEW SEATS AVAILABLE*
About the Author:
Mrs Sudha Murty is a renowned author, educator and philanthropist. A Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee and Founder-Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she has authored over 50 books across fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature, widely translated to over 350 titles and celebrated across Bharat and internationally. She is currently a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, nominated by the Honourable President of India. She is also the Chairperson of the Murty Trust.
Please note that parking restrictions apply on the streets surrounding The Bhavan every day from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm, with a maximum parking duration of one hour. However, visitors to The Bhavan can take advantage of concessional parking with no maximum time limit by using the terminal installed inside the venue. Please ensure that you enter your vehicle registration number and pay for your parking after arriving at The Bhavan.
