Artists to give Facelift with Amazing Murals to Wall from Wenlock-Clock Tower

Artists to give Facelift with Amazing Murals to Wall from Wenlock-Clock Tower

Artists give Facelift with Amazing Murals to 1350 ft long Wall from Wenlock-Clock Tower

Mangaluru: Curious about fun painted walls coming up around you in Mangaluru city? This is the handiwork of the growing tribe of artists who mix message with fun. White cube is not passé but there are those who want to go beyond, whose canvas don’t fit into the confines of a gallery. In Mangaluru, this clique of young and restless are claiming the streets and walls and literally painting the town red. Look around and you will find it everywhere. On the walls of dilapidated buildings and walls, under flyovers, colleges, and even on the walls of a College and police station. The city is lapping up street art like never before. Artists’ takes on urban life, auto rides, culture and politics now adorn various spots in the city.

And one such dilapidated wall that is getting a face lift with amazing murals is the 1350 ft long compound wall from Government Wenlock Hospital till the Clock Tower in the City. A team of 25 artists and volunteers under the leadership of Shailesh from Aaditatva Arts-Mangaluru are all geared up to give a new look to this compound wall which stretches from Hampankatta Circle till the Clock Tower. The artists are giving a extreme-makeover to this wall with paintings showing Kambla (Buffalo Race), Culture and Tradition of Kudla, City’s Coastline, Venkataramana Temple Car Festival etc, and also messages to bring awareness on keeping Mangaluru clean. These artists are infusing the neglected and dilapidated walls with new life.

These artists are working in association with Ramakrishna Math in painting this wall to mark the celebration of the 200th Swachh Mangaluru campaign of the Math to be held on February 12, to be held at the Math auditorium. This Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan started this year on October 2 in which 60 teams are involved, and every Sunday, ten teams take up the drive in ten different locations. As of last Sunday, February 5, the cleanup activities as part of Swachh Mangaluru campaign has already been done in 206 locations.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Artist Shailesh said, ” Apart from presenting kambla and kooli anka (cock fight), the paintings will present messages related to education and about the objective of Swachh Mangaluru. The paintings on the compound wall of Government Wenlock Hospital will be on health. Prime colours are being used to make the paintings more appealing. We have been painting several walls in the city with a view to sensitize people about keeping the city clean and beautiful. A day or two is needed to complete one painting. This is a voluntary work and we use normal acrylic paints for our masterpieces. The idea behind the art work is to preserve an art form and also create awareness among the people to preserve their surroundings and lead a healthy life.The initiative is aimed at keeping the area from turning into a garbage dump. Our team plans to give a makeover to other such neglected areas in the city as well.”

Also speaking to Team Mangalorean, Eekagamyananda, convenor, Swachh Mangaluru campaign said, ” The Swachh Mangaluru campaign has attracted many youngsters and thereby inspiring them to work for society. We hope this cleaning drive sends a positive image of a city that is in news for wrong reasons. Bollywood Actor Nana Patekar, also Swamiji Nikeleshwarananda from Ramakrishna Math-Baroda Swami, and other eminent personalities will attend the celebration on February 12, at our Math campus. Giving a facelift to the walls along the busy roads is the best way to express the seriousness of the residents of Mangaluru in keeping the city clean. This is also a way for artists, who are associated with Swachh Mangaluru for several weeks, to display their art. The walls are being painted to send a message of harmony, peace and progress, which are the essence of our social lives. These artists are giving a new look to the Kottara flyover too”.