Delhi gangrape, Kashmiri women's problems painted on DU wall

Five hundred artists came together today to express their outrage at the brutal gangrape in December last of a 23-year-old girl as well as on other social evils like crime and corruption, by painting a one kilometre long wall in north campus of Delhi University here.
The wall stretching on continuously for a kilometere and sectioned off into 138 parts saw individual or groups of graphic artists and painters creating murals on a common theme "Design the Change".
The event "Delhi WallBook" was organised by Tata Housing and Brand Promotions Ltd in its endeavour to support art and culture. A similar event was done earlier in Mumbai last year as "Visualise Mumbai".

"We thought of this idea because today everything is digitalised and people can go online and can even do graphics work. But as far as we are concerned the paints and brush is adding charm and there are so many artists who don't have a platform to exhibit their talents. So our aim was to get artists from various organisations and budding artists," said Sapna Menon, official, Brand India promotions.
The wall along the north campus of Delhi University transformed into art murals as artists from various parts of the city gathered their thoughts into paintings to give an innovative design for their city.

"In Delhi we used a concept of designing a change in the society based on the security matters in wake of the recent happenings in the city. We wanted to talk to the capital and people of other parts in the country. The society is in need of a change and the artists have come up with good creations based on this theme," said Sapna.

Some of the themes which got highlighted are the one showcasing the gangrape incident and the problems faced by women in the Kashmir valley.
"I mainly focused to ensure security in my city through my painting", said Sinam a young Delhi based artist who portrayed a nine-year old child calling for peace in his country.

According to Naresh, a Delhi based artist, "We are in need of peace in our country and I have conveyed it through my painting here."
Martin, a Nigerian who participated in the event said he felt art can help bring about peace.
Breakthrough , an NGO that works for issues concerned with women also was involved with the programme.
"We have made a painting on women standing together which shows the empowerment of women when they stood in unity", said Paili Bhattacharya a member of the organisation.
"We are very happy to see so many people come in so early on a Sunday and paint their dream for Delhi. Citizens are the key instrument to change in any city and I am overwhelmed by the response and have the faith that people of this city will be catalysts in making it better. This is Delhi Wallbook's first chapter and we hope for many more" said Rajeeb Dash, Head of Marketing, Tata Housing.

Artists would be awarded for their paintings online, say organisers who say they are attempting similar events in other parts of the country like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh etc.