Artists turn walls of Silk city into canvas

Source: The Telegraph

BERHAMPUR: The walls of the Silk City have come alive with paintings depicting the state’s culture, festivals, temples and tribal murals to counter ugly graffiti, unauthorised wall-posters and open-air urinals. Vibrant colours and striking images decorated with mirror pieces and other adornments are lending a royal touch to several drab walls in the city. Artist Pratap Kishore Bishoyi, the 40-year-old who has created paintings on the walls of the official residence of the additional district medical officer at Gate Bazar along with two of his assistants, said their work has received appreciation from passers-by. “We feel glad that our hard work has paid off when people passing by stand and observe the art on the walls. The advent of modern printing and large printed flex boards had snatched away earnings of painters. So, it feels good that as part of this project we are being paid Rs 30/sqft of painting,” said Bishoyi. For another artist, Pratap Kishore, walls are spaces that can act as the preservers of culture, tradition and heritage of the state. “It gives us immense pleasure to create something that will be a part of the city for a long time to come. We use colours that will not be affected by harsh weather conditions and stay fresh even in sun and rain. Hopefully, the public will take care of our efforts,” he said. The city residents seem to be delighted with the beautification project. But they too are worried about the maintenance of the decorated walls. “The wall painting concept was a big hit five years ago. But those paintings are in a sorry state because of poor maintenance,” said Bhim Nayak, a resident of Komapalli. It gives tourists a bad impression, he added. “The law prohibits littering of streets, public walls, office premises, compound walls of residences and government buildings and others. However, these places are being misused with passers-by spitting, putting up posters, unauthorised hoardings and so on,” said Kailash Rana, chairman, Berhampur Development Authority. “The paintings on walls are an innovative strategy to beautify the city’s defaced walls,” he said. The public works department has taken the initiatives of getting walls painted at the residence of the revenue divisional commissioner, southern division, Khallikote Autonomous College, Sashi Bhushan Women’s College, MKCG Medical College and Berhampur Municipal Corporation office.

Source: The Telegraph