Painting Patna for Rs.1000 only !

By Manuwant Choudhary

Driving around Patna suddenly I notice the city looking brighter and more beautiful and its then I see why - young artists paint the sarkari walls with their fine Mithila art.

Some 200 artists, including women artists from Madhubani villages, are busy eight hours a day to paint the entire city  walls and they are each paid just Rs.1000 per day, something a painter would get, not an artist.

The alumni from College of Arts in Patna struck upon this idea and made their proposal to the government, a tender was floated, they bagged it..and hundreds of young artists let loose their artistic fantasy across the city.

For the government they can manage the funds from their Smart City project idea.

But Patna is far, very far from being smart.

While the walls have been covered by culture and religious art, passersby often spit on the walls even while the artists are at work.

Anisha Angad has just finished her course and has applied to Shantiniketan for further studies but until then she is enjoying this art experience, although she is a scultor by training.

"It hurts us when we see people spitting. We hope and pray that through our hard work we can help change peoples mindset on hygiene and keeping the city clean."

Art would be the last thing on the minds of youth in Bihar for whom a paying job matters most so I was surprised how so many youth are taking to art.

Said Anisha, "My mother is an artist. She now lives in Lakhisarai but she is originally from Jamshedpur so I was inspired by her. Of course job prospects are negligible."

Whats most amazing is that the artists enjoy doing this - with earplugs for some music. What fun !