Seen those 3-D pyramid design on the pillars of a flyover? Those colourful triangles, anyone? Slowly becoming an integral part of the cityscape, it is the handiwork of the Ugly Indian, a group of volunteer citizens who desire to beautify the surroundings. The group likes to remain anonymous because their motto is mooh bandh and kaam chalu (shut up and work). As a citizen who wants a spot to be fixed will get a response from the group, but a request for a quote from media wouldn’t.
What we know from what we have seen and read from their FB posts is that these pillars have been undertaken as part of their Under the Flyover Project/UFO, the volunteers first clean the pillar, take off the ugly ads, remove the garbage and then paint over it. In the picture that we used, the hoardings seem to have been placed after the pillar was painted. If the artist seethes with ager seeing this, it is totally justified. While our flyovers remain the busiest, what lies beneath is a world that has slipped into oblivion. The gigantic pillars and their surroundings paint a picture of neglect. Several flyovers in the city like Domlur, Hennur, HSR Layout, M.G. Road have been transformed by this artistic intervention. Most recently they took up the railway under bridge at Sheshadripuram.
The 3-D pyramid design is interesting and eye catching. It is simple too and for sure perking up our surroundings. But may be, they can try out different imagery before it all becomes monotonous and the one flyover looks like the other one. But it is easier said than done. There are constraints, I agree. And flyovers isn’t the only thing under their gaze for they are concerned about every dirty corner, a landfill, broken medians, walls, parks…just everything.
If there is anything particular in a public space that’s causing you concern, visit www.theuglyindian.com
