Next time you head to Ultadanga, look left before the signal. Diagonally opposite the Hudco complex is a beautiful break from the dreariness of defaced walls in the city. Jamini Roy paintings adorn the boundary of Iswarchandra Nibas here.

“Residents started moving into this complex in 1980 and since then our walls have faced an onslaught of posters and painted advertisements,” says a general body member of the residents’ association. “We were tired of rebuking outsiders for defacing our walls.”

Work started about a month back and the first wall to showcase the results is the one facing the EM Bypass. Next will be the wall facing North City Hospital and if funds permit, the side facing the police quarters will be painted too. The fourth wall is shared by a field and so is not exposed.

“We have 127 families living in our complex and shall paint as much as possible with the funds we can raise from their contribution,” he says. The first phase got funded by about 30 families, which contributed simply on verbal assurance. “We shall now sit with our accounts and calculate how much more we need. We shall then send our circulars seeking donation.”

Though the contribution is voluntary, residents have been very supportive and have donated generously. “Even our friends from nearby complexes like Hudco are admiring the work now. They want the painter’s contacts so they can do it too,” he smiles.

The work has cost Rs 1,000 per picture panel. “We had the option of painting deities too but the walls are such that the top has lattice work. Painting would not have been possible there and it may have been disrespectful to paint deities at the bottom. So we chose Jamini Roy paintings,” the member says. “We pray that outsiders now think twice before defacing such beautiful walls.”

Poet Sankha Ghosh, who is a resident of the complex, is happy with the outcome. “The initiative was taken by some individuals in our complex. I went to see the illustrations after they were done on the outer wall. They are looking nice. There is a lot of enthusiasm now in the complex about completion of the project.  It would be good if citizens come forward to beautify their properties,” he said.

Input from Sudeshna Banerjee