Rang De Karachi brings street art gallery to life
: An artist makes a painting on a wall near the National Stadium in Karachi as part of the Rang De Karachi drive meant to both beautify the city and convey social awareness messages. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The biggest street art gallery of the country with around 150 paintings was brought into existence on Sunday.
The drive was launched by Rang De Karachi in collaboration of East district administration. At least 1500 young artists painted the wall along National Coaching Centre near National Stadium with beauti[1]ful paintings, featuring importance of education, curbing domestic violence, eliminating marine and pollution and inclusion of women in social representation, within three days.
The artists were ecstatic to play their role in raising awareness about environ[1]mental protection and social responsibilities, which also was an effort for Karachi's beautification. Rang De Karachi Coordinator Esha Sufiyan said that there were two objectives behind organising the painting drive. She said that one of the objectives was to replace untidy walls with eye-catching sceneries while the other was to highlight the importance of art.
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"The walls inscribed with biased and hateful slogans give the city an ugly look as well as casting a negative impression on the beholders while the walls with colorful paintings give a positive message in every way," said Esha.
A young student from Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari said that he has given the message of safe driving through his paintings. Besides, Eman, who is a resident of Nazimabad opined that the sceneries she painted feature protection of marine life.
She said that littering has put the marine life at stake therefore she re[1]quests the people to stop littering on the beaches through her paintings. Similar messages highlighting the beauty of Karachi, cleanliness and conservation of environment have been portrayed in the paintings. Hazara Colony, Kala Pul resident, Feviar Azeem, an art lover, has learnt voluntarily and the project has helped him gain experience.
According to Azeem, he likes working for the city, and thus, participated in the drive. Ahsan Zahid, resident of Surjani Town shared that he deals with export business and is fond of paintings. He chose the theme of the painting which give a message to the citizens to avoid littering the city and protecting the sea from pollution since the garbage and litter dumped in the ocean threaten marine life.