Are Bangalore’s murals a pleasure or a pest?

How come?
Well, in 2010 the BBMP, the local government started a project to paint the city walls. They hired about 100 local artists to paint scenes, like historical sites, daily life scenes, animals, nature and much more.

Why?
Well, according to the BBMP their first aim was to prevent the walls from being defaced with stickers, graffity, etcetera.
Secondly they wanted to give a chance to local artists, not only to have a contract for these walls, but also to have exposure to get more work in the future.
Third they wanted to beautify the city.

That sounds good, doesn’t it?

I loved all those murals, even though I only saw a part of them.

But when I started reading about them, I discovered that there is a lot of criticism of citizens.

I was initially very surprised about that and found it a bit sour and negative.
Because, as I told you, I loved them. But then again, I am just a tourist. A visitor, an aesthetic, a lover of street art and of murals and a photographer….

It is not my city, I don’t live there.

So what is the criticism about?
Well, the project costed a lot of money. The money of the tax-payers. So the criticasters say:”Beautification? It’s just cosmetic, so we don’t see the real problems so obviously anymore. Traffic congestion, dirt everywhere and other city problems. Why don’t they spend the money on that?!!!”.
Second point of criticism is that according to the people that complain, they did NOT use real artists, but cheap laborers who simply painted after pictures.
Thirdly, and connected to the second point, some people find it just plain ugly and not ‘real’ art at all.

After reading the various articles I understood the negative feedback about the project much better. And from their point of view I agree and relate.

For me, as a passer by though, it is wonderful and I enjoyed the murals very much!