Recently while coming back from Noida’s Sector 18 to Sector 50, I saw some walls adorned with beautiful paintings of Lord Buddha, Lord Krishna, Madhubani art etc.
As I drove further I saw two scantily clad men, wearing no safety gear, standing on a wooden scaffolding, painting on the pillars under the flyovers.
I was so mesmerized by their work that I didn’t realize the jam I created by stopping right in the middle of the busy road.
The two men had no professional palate or brushes, neither did they bother about the droplets of water falling on their heads once in the while from the expansion gap of the road above them not did the dust from the roads deter their concentration.
I stood there watching them create yet another masterpiece.
Probably it was their last few hours on that particular painting. They came down, washed their hands with strong smelling spirit. Another guy started to open the folding.
I wanted to get a closer look at the wall but damn !! The tragic and my car could not be left there, so I headed home.
I went the next day, this time abandoning my car so that I could give myself enough time taking to these talented people. Much to my disappointment, today the painters were not there. Blame it the untimely rains.
I got closer to painting and started looking for the name and numbers of painters to atleast call them and appreciate their work but could find none.
This broke my heart.. such talent.. and not even a recognition.
Would it have been same if a famous or known artist was called to paint ? Would he have painted without proper safety gear ? Would there not be boards on side, mentioning his full life history? Would there be no minister to inaugurate it ?
I request the authorities to please consider giving deserving recognition to these painters, if not deserving remuneration ( which I can’t comment on.)
My loud of applause to these artisans, painters, craftsmen who are still gumnaam.
