Report on wall painting - First year B.Com students of Christ University

On January 10^th,2015, first year B.Com students of Christ University, Bengaluru painted the walls of the BBMP Ward office in Jaynagar 9^th block with pictures aimed at spreading social awareness. This was done on the instigation of the English Dept. and in collaboration with the CSA (Centre for Social Action), an NGO active mainly in South India. The main object of this was to edify the community about the burning civic issues that plague our country. The activity started at around 8 A.M and got over by 3 P.M.

 

A total of four diagrams were painted on the front wall of the BBMP Office, each carrying a social message. These diagrams convey messages relating to women empowerment and also about the issue of Brain drain (or) Talent drain. One of the diagrams shows a woman sitting on the palm of a hand. The five fingers each carry the face of lustful, perverted men who stare at her in a very degrading manner. This conveys the message of sexual abuse of women and also protests against the cruel objectification of women by the society. It carries the Shakespearean quote – “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”and is a stark reminder of the present state of women in this country. Another  picture shows two contrasting situations; one where a woman yields to the harassments of a man and another where she takes the fight to him. 

The picture carries the idiom “Hit the nail on the head” and urges women not to depend on anybody to protect them and believe in themselves. Another diagram shows a woman protesting against the injustices carried out by the society on her by defyingly showing her hand and saying 'stop'. The phrase "Enough is enough" written alongside the picture reflects the collective mentality of anguished women who desperately need change.The issue of brain drain is represented by a picture which shows an Indian metaphorically selling his brain to a foreigner for cash. It carries the idiom “The ball is in your court” asking talented Indians to offer their services to their Motherland. Brain drain is not given much importance, but its impact can be felt when we look at talented Indians contributing big time to foreign economies. It is also a plea to the government to improve the infrastructure and provide job facilities that are on par with that of foreign countries.

These are issues that are contemporary and something that the current generation can very well relate to. Since the building, the walls on which the paintings are done is frequented by people, the reach of the project is likely to be greater. Further, when people know that youngsters are actively involved in spreading social messages, it could be a harbinger and inspire similar actions from others.

Report done by:

Carmel James

Danielle Rutendo Hatinzwani

Krishna Bharadwaj.