City’s South district gets a makeover

Colourful paintings, murals replace stains and slogans that once lined the walls

KARACHI:

The city's South district is changing, opines Arsalan Chaurdhry, a Karachiite. "All sorts of colours and monuments are seen in this part of the city."

Chaudhry was referring to the plethora of colours that have sprung up on at least four walls in the district, which also features 'The Chess Corner' and a street library. At least four walls in the area feature vivid murals and prismatic graffiti, painted over political slogans, vile or scandalous messages propagating hate, and paan and piss stains.

From hate to love

The sun that once beamed on hate and obscene messages splattered on Karachi's walls, now shines on multi-coloured paintings in the South district, giving the area a youthful and vibrant vibe, thanks to the efforts of some 60 young boys and girls who voluntarily participated in the campaign to change the city's walls from hate to love.

"These walls visibly portrayed hate and only hate," commented Saeed Ahmed, another citizen. "These walls were even used for quackery and misguiding common people with fake Pirs [advertisements]," he said.

Afnan Ahmed, the coordinator of a group of volunteers working under the name, 'Rang De Karachi,' set out to change the aesthetics of the walls lining main roads of the district, with the support of the South district management. They began painting street walls in their neighbourhood a couple of months ago and soon expanded their artwork to thoroughfares such as Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road and Boat Basin.

The South administration also approached others who were interested in the project, including the non-profit organisation 'I am Karachi', which focuses on socio-cultural activities.

"This is just the start," said Afnan. "The idea is to remove hate from the walls [at least]." Speaking to The Express Tribune, Afnan said that his friends wanted to paint all the streets of the city with better messages. "This is our city, and we want people to change their mindset - from my Karachi to our Karachi."

Afnan and his friends have rounded up at least 60 volunteers from different schools and universities and they all bring their own unique and astonishing ideas to revamp the walls such that they may captivate the attention of anyone visiting the megalopolis. Besides, the striking paintings are to give a sense of belonging and homeliness to the city's residents.

"People need to own their walls and streets," says Afnan, adding that some of the walls and pavements have been taken over by squatters while others are being used as garbage dumps.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, South District Commissioner Irshad Ahmed Sodhar said that many individuals have been invited to engage in this initiative, including an Australian artist. "The idea is to remove hateful wall chalkings with aesthetic paintings."

His district administration is trying to bring a modern change to the urban centre, said Sodhar, adding that fixing lights at different spots in the district was also part of these efforts. Sodhar maintained that the response from citizens thus far has been positive.

One brush stroke at a time

Citizen Saad was of the view that these striking artworks reflect a positive change in the city. "This is because of peace. This is because of the talent [Karachi] produces," he said, adding that the youth owns the city. "Let your youngsters own it and see how they bring a change in it."

Similarly, Chaudhry opined that now "there is something that gives peace to your mind," while the hateful slogans from before were divisive and disturbing.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2020.