That’s very wall done: Group of 25 artists bring alive South Mumbai walls through their paintings

The artists at work on one of the walls. The works are being appreciated by locals and passers-by alike

Bringing a splash of colour in dark times, a group of at least 25 artists - tribals from Palghar - are bringing alive South Mumbai walls through their paintings. The project with the uplifting name, ‘Art from the Heart' started in mid-March.

Colaba locals with two area-centric organisations, the Colaba Advance Locality Management (CALM) and My Dream Colaba (MDC) roped in these artists who were struggling to earn a livelihood in the lockdown, to transform several walls in the locality. These walls are at DSK Durgamata Lane, The Army Wall, the Fire Brigade wall, the Set Back area near Sassoon Dock gate No 1, the lane adjoining Badhwar Park leading to 4th Pasta Lane, the Navy Wall opposite INS Shikhra and the HOPE wall opposite Indu Clinic.

The brick n' mortar surfaces have become their canvas for a little over a fortnight. Said Bella Shah of MDC, "The only brief we gave these talented artists, was to paint with a certain theme in mind. For instance, we have the Badhwar Park area, which houses the Railway Officers' quarters. So, we have a train painted on the wall there. There is a defence theme near the Army quarters. They have been working through the searing heat, smiling through the unforgiving Mumbai mercury, because they feel so honoured and grateful that their talent has found expression in this urban milieu. It has been a win-win situation, as locals are truly appreciative of the art work."

Thumbs up

Haresh Hathiramani, a resident said, "The work has been going so well that we are going to add two more walls to the original seven. The themes have resonated with all, and have been a mix of the aesthetic with the topical. Near the Sassoon Docks, for example, there is a painting of a ship with birds in the background." Nandita Bedi of Colaba said, "We see the history and culture of Colaba captured through colours on these walls. Anybody walking by will learn a little about the area, what it stands for, its dominating features and gain a fresh perspective. They say walls have ears, but if they could speak, they could tell you a little about Colaba's past."

Broader plan

BJP corporator Makarand Narvekar added, "Art from the Heart is just one aspect of a broad initiative to make Colaba an artsy precinct. We are enthused by the way this project is going but we have several other initiatives as part of the larger plan, some are with different departments for final permissions. A few well-known artists for example, whom I will name later, are also going to contribute with their work for the artsy vibe. There is a plan for the legal precinct, we are looking at a slow but very well thought out transformation."

Dissipating gloom

Cynthia D'Mello of MDC answered with a succinct, "colour in COVID times" when asked to describe what exactly Art from the Heart has brought to Colaba. D'Mello said, "The many calls we have got from residents acknowledging the work is a pointer to how well received this has been. This response has been so heartening. We have witnessed walkers and passers by actually cheering and motivating the artists, as they painted. It has brought some light into lives, in a period of overall gloom."