This poster by S.N. Surti features Air India’s mascot, the Maharajah, playing a guitar with European cities like London, Paris, Zurich, and Prague marked along the strings. Set against a striking purple background, the poster promotes Air India’s European routes with the slogan, "Air India offers you the Heart of Europe." The whimsical design aimed to distinguish Air India from competitors, appealing to travelers flying from India to Europe. The jovial and rotund Maharajah first made his appearance on an in-flight memo pad in the mid-1940s. He was conceived by SK (Bobby) Kooka, who was then a Commercial Director with Air India.
For the years that followed, the Maharajah was ingeniously used by India’s national airline to introduce new flight routes. His funny antics and quirky puns also allowed Air India to promote its services with subtle humour and unmatched panache.

Air India’s first flight to Europe took place on June 8, 1954, with the inaugural flight from Mumbai (then Bombay) to London, stopping in Geneva. This marked a key moment in the airline's expansion into international routes and established its strong presence in global air travel.