“We want to show the world that’s it’s cool to walk/run in Indian attire. Move over graffiti and street art, the latest genre of art to take the city by storm is mural art. Young Bengalureans and entrepreneurs are going all out to add a verve of colour into their spaces – through intricate yet quirky works of mural art. With the ancient art making way into contemporary design with gusto, we dig deeper into the trend...
“Murals are a statement. It is a way of showcasing the core character of a place, its people and their purpose. Be it a cozy home or a door or a garage or a huge corporate workplace; there’s always something striking about a big, bold art form on your walls. As a designer, I’ve observed it’s an instant icebreaker and conversations starter. With social media bringing out our whims and fantasies out into the world for all to see, people are becoming more fearless in embracing their choices and boldly announcing their preferences through interesting wall art. This trend is a very healthy one, as it gets art out of a few elite people and makes it personal, an everyday visual experience right at your home,” says Girija Hariharan, a city based mural artist. Speaking from a point of view, which precedes aesthetic view, Parul Kanodia adds, “When compared to framed art, mural is a more long lasting option. Also, it’s more value for money as it envelopes the entire wall. The limitations are lesser. The reason mural art is now seeing a renaissance is simply because it expresses a lot more. It’s a treat to the visually driven. But that aside, the fact that a lot of artists today are depicting social issues of relevance through mural art is what I think needs to be appreciated. I’ve seen a lot of cafes in the city looking at this, as people have begun to appreciate the beauty of abstract works of art. Mural abides to the place, and is a healthy mix of colour, sketches and art. With works of graffiti having been done to death, it’s only justified to make way for bigger and better options. We’re growing culturally as a city, so getting experimental with classics is the way forward.” With basic mural artworks ranging from Rs 20,000, is the idea catered to the niche? Well, surprisingly not. Speaking of the same, Meghana Verma, an art collector says,
“I think people are more responsive of the impact a nice work of art has. Young parents come to me to share how implementing such artworks have worked in their favour, despite that having cost a fortune. Look at it from a perspective of learning, to unfold classics, to retell age-old stories. That’s the whole point of it– giving classics a try.” Enthusing how the awareness about mural art has risen, Parul adds, “Wall art has evolved and I get young home buyers asking me for something abstract through mural, as it’s applied directly on the surfaces, it’s personal and striking at the same time.. Mural art has arrived, and the time is just right!” she concludes.
