Pick up a brush and paint those metro pillars

The Ugly Indian has invited the public to beautify the massive concrete structures that support the rail lines

Karnataka Bengaluru :26/09/2015:Oberoi Hotel Staffs along with few Volunteers painting Trinity Metro Station during Bangalore Bandh, in Bangalore on Saturday.
Photo: Sampath Kumar G P 
Sand Lorries

With waste and garbage strewn around them and posters plastered on their facade, the concrete pillars that support the metro line often mirror the city’s civic apathy.

But 10 pillars at Swami Vivekananda Namma Metro Station on Old Madras Road will get a facelift today. The Ugly Indian — a group of masked volunteers who’ve made it their mission to beautify the city — have invited volunteers to paint the pillars on March 26 and 27.

Previously, the Ugly Indian has worked with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited, and painted the pillars at Trinity and Indiranagar stations.

“The Ugly Indian volunteers will guide people with their brushes so as to bring in homogeneity, more than looking for a meaning into the painted pillars,” explains U.A. Vasanth Rao, Chief Public Relations Officer, BMRCL.

According to Ugly Indian volunteers, who guard their identities zealously, such events bring out the best in the city. A volunteer says, “It’s the attitude that can solve matters. If you take Namma Metro pillars, for example, it is the Indian attitude to abuse public property that has to be tackled. We asked BMRCL to allow us to make the pillars look beautiful so that people looking at them in awe will never attempt to destroy its beauty. In response, Mr. Rao told us, ‘You are attempting to deal with a behavioural psychology challenge, go on!’”

It is up to the people to choose if they want to use masks. “Most of us wear them to avoid dust. Some are allergic to strong smell of paints,” said a volunteer.

BMRCL will provide supplies. Mr. Rao said, “The work on the 10 pillars at Swami Vivekananda Station will take two days to complete.”

With the invitation open to the public, there is no single over-arching theme.

“When we see people of all ages and all walks of life come together, it is rewarding,” added Mr. Rao. “We are inviting proposals from art schools across India to take up art works inside metro stations. It will be considered by a team of experts,” he said.

do it yourself

When - March 26 and 27

Time - Starts at 10 am

Venue - Swami Vivekananda Road Metro Station on Old Madras Road