India becomes one large canvas for international wall artists

NEW DELHI: A few years ago, 28-year-old Pan Trinity Das was painting the walls of Varanasi when a group of over 75 people gathered around him and started chanting the name of Lord Shiva, the subject of Das’s mural.
“It was euphoric. I painted as I sang along, and it was just incredible. I have never seen such a reaction anywhere else,” says Das.
He is one of the hundreds of international artists who fly into India from their respective hometowns often and travel the country, adding colours to the walls.From being an underground and secretive mission, wall art has become the country’s foreground, attracting the attention of artists like Das, who is originally from Canada.
“The scene in India is magnetic. The people are so supportive. It’s a pleasure to see your audience engaging with you when you’re painting,” says 25-year-old Miles Toland from New Mexico, US. His engagement with people in a small village on the outskirts of Pune brings a smile to his face.
“They knew English just as much as I knew Hindi. We didn’t communicate verbally, but even then they brought me water, chai and made sure I was comfortable. It was overwhelming,” he says.

Elaborating on the reason for their love for Indian walls, most of the artists mention that the legal acceptance of art outside galleries in India is a prime reason for them to come back every now and then.
“Though New Mexico is culturally very rich, the scenario for wall art is extremely dull. Most of the work that I’ve done there is either illegal or has involved a lot of correspondence with the wall owners,” says Toland.
Das seconds Toland’s opinion as he says that cops in his hometown Ontario don’t support art and youth-centric activities, making it difficult for him, like many others, to paint.
Maria Krizh (31) says that she might have missed the surge of street art in her own country, Russia, but is more than happy that she made the most of her passion in India.
“It’s a happy place for artists like us. I worked on a wall in Khan Market, Delhi, along with famous Egyptian artist Mohamed Abla. It was just amazing,” she says.
The fact that authorities across cities are commissioning such work only strengthens India’s growing status as a canvas for one and all. When quizzed on the sudden spurt of commissioned works in the city, Neeraj Bharti, project director, NDMC, said, “We want to create a happy space and tell the residents that art and culture are an important part of any civilization. We want to promote creativity. We want to make sure there is a cultural connect in a smart city.”

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Shankar Market, Narela Train Station, Lok Nayak Building, Khan Market are a few notable works that have been commissioned by authorities.
The 6,080 sq ft mural of Mahatma Gandhi at the police headquarters in New Delhi by German graffiti artist Hendrik Beikirch, assisted by local artist Anpu, is another such example.
“Street art is not new to us. But the sudden and growing interest in it is fantastic and empowering. Many of my friends from other countries visit the country and just go about painting walls. The acceptance by people is extremely good,” says Anpu, a graffiti artist based out of Delhi.
Yogesh Saini from Delhi Street Art has been a strong force in bringing together a bevy of artists, domestic and international alike, to add colour to the walls.
“Government departments see it as an opportunity to have beautiful, clean walls, thus being in tandem with the ideology of Swachh Bharat. And for artists, it’s a way to pursue their passion in the best possible manner,” Saini adds.
If the legality was not reason enough for the artists to come and paint walls in the country, the ‘rawness’ of walls in India is only an added advantage.
“India has the most impressive walls. They’re textured, ancient, layered with moss, cracks and ageing paint. Combining these elements with street art is a kind of depth that one cannot find anywhere else,” says Das.