Neglect threatens the Lodhi Art District in Delhi

Beni Prasad laments the neglect of beautiful murals in Lodhi Colony's Art Street, highlighting the importance of preserving art.

“My tea stall was here when the walls around were getting  a makeover with beautiful murals. It breaks my heart today to see the larger-than-life paintings neglected , with no maintenance or care whatsoever,” says Beni Prasad who has been running the tea stall in Block 15 of the famed Art Street in Lodhi Colony since 2010.

He points at two paintings, Unity by Pritesh completed in 2019 and Lavanya by Henrik made in 2016 that have lost their beauty due to the cracks in the wall, peeling of plaster and fading colours. 

Thanish Thomas of St+art India Foundation, who had first come up with the idea of getting the walls painted by artists and creating the country’s first art district, says, “The murals gave a new meaning to walls that were standing blank. By inviting professionals from across the world, we created huge colourful canvasses of ideas. It is sad that in less than a decade’s time the artworks are ruined.”

The Lodhi Art District (LAD)  showcases over 65 murals by Indian and international artists. They are also a means to spread awareness and initiate conversations on social issues.

The themes highlighted by the artists are important as they sought to change peoples’ mindsets and also underline the importance of our culture and heritage. The simplest of the murals have a narrative showing suffering, joy, struggle, and achievement.

For example Lavanya captures the portrait of Vimla, a roadside vendor who was once famous for selling parathas by the pavement in Khanna Market in Lodhi Colony. The aroma of those parathas was familiar to passers-by and those who lived in the locality.

Vimla’s sense of independence and dedication inspired Henrik to showcase the story of an ordinary woman who struggles to balance the many responsibilities of her life. The painting is a beautiful amalgamation of Vimla’s emotions of being able to earn and feed her family. The expression on her face says it all and grabs the attention of passers-by. Many pause for a moment maybe as a silent tribute to a commoner, who has passed on.