Hyderabad: Not far away from the city’s renowned art galleries, a painter is roaming the lanes of Kukatpally, turning the walls of almost every building and rock formations in the locality into his own gallery of art, that too with a purpose.
Jagadish, who ekes out a living by painting buildings, is adorning the rocks and walls in Yellamma Banda with giant images and slogans, accompanied with contemporary awareness messages like ‘wear a mask’, ‘maintain physical distance’ and ‘use soap and sanitisers’. All this — for no profit or revenue.
“Actor Sonu Sood is my inspiration. I am amazed by the work he is doing in these tough times. I too wanted to do my bit and nothing can make a lasting expression on people’s minds other than art. So, I’m putting my skill to good use,” he says.
It has been 15 days since he picked up his brush and started painting walls and so far, has painted nearly every wall in the locality apart from 10 rocks. “I can’t afford another lockdown, which will not happen until and unless every citizen takes steps to protect themselves and others. We need to break the chain. I can see many people every day without a mask or wearing one at the chin. Since it is easier to catch the attention of the people through art, I thought why not start this initiative,” he adds.
Though Jagadish doesn’t earn anything from this, the entire initiative is being funded by himself, and even then, he says it is satisfying. “Many passers-by appreciate my art. The paintings have different messages which are delivered creatively. This is my contribution to society,” he adds.
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