Aug. 22: Walls outside the Eden Gardens and near the Exide crossing among other places in the city have come alive, thanks to a team of artists.

The team, busy since July 12, has defied rain to finish the work before deadline at various parts of the city.

"I was given three days to complete my bit," artist Bappaditya Majhi, who has drawn wrestling pictures on a part of the wall outside Eden's Gate No. 10, said.

Thirty other artists like him got a new platform to showcase their creativity when Berger Paints hired them to paint prominent walls in the city as part of the Kolkata Street Art Festival.

The festival, a long-term project, targets to beautify more than 500 walls and public places in the city.

At least 10 walls will get a colourful look by the Puja and another 30 by the year end.

The team has students as well. "At times the themes went with the location... at other times, they were very different compared to the surroundings," Barun Saha, an artist and the project's chief coordinator, said.

A painting on the wall opposite Dena Bank near the Exide crossing is meant to transport passers-by to the world of fairy tales. "I redid the mermaid tale on one wall here. It may appear a rather strange choice for a busy thoroughfare but I wanted to cheer people up with the painting," Saha said.

Along with the elaborate painting are illustrations of a gramophone and an old clock, something that many collectors in the city have on their shelves.

Abhijit Roy, MD & CEO of Berger Paints, said the project had been in the planning for eight months. "We wanted to do our bit to beautify the city while giving recognition to artists who are still to get their due.

"The city is full of heritage structures but the outside walls are dull and dirty. A colourful wall should help stop people from dirtying them. It would also mean more exposure for young artists."

Calcutta is the first city where Berger Paints has started this project. "It should continue for two or three years," Roy said.

Some of areas where walls are getting a new look include Park Circus (near the seven-point crossing) Topsia, Chandni Chowk Metro station and Ballygunge tram depot.