There are many varieties of visual art, and one of them is Street art. What does street art mean, and how is it different from graffiti? 

Street art is the art that is found on the street. It can be defined as “public-space artwork that’s created for consumption outside of the typical art gallery setting.” It includes a variety of mediums like painting, sculpture, or stained glass.

On the other side, graffiti is a similar art form but different at the same time. Graffiti refers to markings, words, or drawings that have been spray-painted on the walls or public spaces. 

People get confused between the two often, but in the end, both are art forms presented differently.

Street art and graffiti are becoming more and more mainstream in India. It is now being used as a tool to brighten cities and transform neighborhoods.

The same is happening with the hidden neighborhood of Malleswaram. Away from the traffic of Bengaluru, pubs, and malls, this locality is situated. Malleswaram is filled with wide lanes that cut across the locality in horizontal and vertical lines. 

These lanes were planned and built after the plague in the 1800s and are known as conservancy lanes. They were historically used for manual scavenging. 

The lanes became parking spaces and even illegal storage when the practice stopped. After being forgotten for so many years, a group of people is now reinventing these roads.

Street Art Of Bengaluru

Artist working at one of the conservancy lanes. Photo Credits: Anushya Badrinath, Light Vine Studio
Ignorance is the blindness of the soul. Collaborative art with German artists in Malleswaram. Photo Credits: Hendrik Beikrich

The project to beautify it has been undertaken jointly by Sensing Local, a community neighborhood organization called Malleswaram Social, an artist group called Geechagalu, and a youth organization called Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC). 

Portrait of a local waste worker. Photo Credits: Anushya Badrinath, Light Vine Studio

They have been beautifying the lanes and working hard since January. The artists who paint these are locals. They understand what builds up the foundation of the quiet neighborhood, and their art never fails to reflect that. 

This one piece of art is a beautiful portrait of a local waste worker, a face familiar in the neighborhood.

A mural in Malleswaram. Photo Credits: Anushya Badrinath, Light Vine Studio
The artwork has brought together everyone. From artists and residents to local officials. Photo Credits: Anushya Badrinath, Light Vine Studio
Mural in Malleswaram. Photo Credits: Anushya Badrinath, Light Vine Studio

Also Read: In Pics: A Look Into The Famous Graffiti Warehouse In Kolkata, The Street Art Heaven


Malleshwaram on the move. Picture Credit- Divya RC
St Marks Road. Artists: Ullas Hydoor and Arjun Srinivas

According to Conde Nast Traveller, there are plans to install QR codes next to every artwork. In this way, a passerby can access videos of the artists speaking about their process of creation. 

Everyone in the neighborhood feels a sense of pride when they look at the artwork, and it is incredible to see blank walls get converted into gorgeous paintings. Every wall surely deserves a piece of art.


Image Credits: Google Images, Divya RC, Anushya Badrinath

Sources: CN Traveller, Artflute, Maverickbird, Dictionary.com, LBB

Find The Blogger: @PrernaMagan

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