Articulate Spaces: A Photo-essay on the Culture of Writing Vartaphalak in Pune City

Vartaphalak. An essentially ordinary element of the crowded landscape of urban centers in Maharashtra. Most of the times it does not even invite a second glance from urban dwellers, as they negotiate city life and its demands. Blackboards of varying sizes merge seamlessly into the crowd, the traffic, the riotous swirl of colour and buzz that our cities are.

And yet they stand out. At least they did for me, when I first began noticing these boards out of sheer curiosity. I thought they spoke to people, reached out to them with their range of vaarta- from announcing a death or a local meeting to satirical political commentary. From righteous moral messages to ideologically charged contentions. They reflected sentiments of anger and grief, celebration and devotion. The import of their content was local, communal, political and religious. And more often than not, they stood in a space which was necessarily a public space, community space. Vartaphalaks, I decided, definitely deserved more attention and thus embarked on this venture to capture the culture of writing vartaphalak in Pune city on film.

This photo-essay is an attempt to explore the role played by vartaphalak in the city’s life and in the lives of the communities which exist around these boards. There were several questions with which I started out: is the content of these boards political or ideological? Who writes these boards? What kinds of spaces exist around these boards? Do the boards carry their own identity markers overtly or covertly? Are they to be found across all parts of the city or only in certain parts? Does the content of the vartaphalak differ according to the community or area where it is located? How do people around relate to the vartaphalak?

The images which follow provide answers to some of the above questions, leave some unanswered. But I hope they are able to spark off an interest in the viewer to explore and make meanings of their respective spatial surroundings. We tend to take our everyday spaces so much for granted; but they are not mere physical spaces. They are inscribed with our own values, meanings and symbols and they respond to our changing contexts. Spaces like those inhabited by vartaphalaks illustrate this meaningfulness of spaces so well. And also give our cities their own unique culture and identity.

Locating the vartaphalak

The exercise of locating vartaphalaks in the city was interesting. It led me just about everywhere. Gullis, mohallas, bastis, peths in the city. Bazaars, durgahs, dhobi ghat, taalim, rickshaw stands. Ganesh mandals, ‘young circles’, political party offices. Busy chowks and traffic-clogged main roads. The objective of providing this inventory of places is to demonstrate the two defining features of a vartaphalak – it is essentially found in community public space. And it always represents a collective, be it a Ganesh mandal, a workers’ union or a specific caste group. This makes a vartaphalak a social phenomenon.

The images that follow are familiar, everyday images. And therein is the point. Vartaphalaks are an inseparable part of the city’s landscape and of our everyday lives. To me they seemed to stand in their places stoically as life went on around them, looking upon the happenings and as we will see further, reflecting these happenings as well.

In this picture can be seen a vartaphalak adjoining a chawl in Budwar Peth.

Locating the vartaphalak

Vartaphalak in a busy square in Laxminagar. One can see a garlanded photograph of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, since it was his birth anniversary being celebrated on that day.

Locating the vartaphalak

This vartaphalak is located in Nana Peth adjoining a one of the oldest taalims (traditional gymnasiums where wrestlers train) in Pune city.

Above, boys playing, with a vartaphalak in the backgound, in Kasba Peth.

Locating the vartaphalak

Below is a Shiv Sena vartaphalak on Kumthekar Road, Sadashiv Peth. Shiv Sena is a right wing political party in Maharashtra.

Above is a vartaphalak located at an extremely congested T-junction in Ganesh Peth.

Locating the vartaphalak

A vartaphalak located in the predominantly Muslim area of Bhawani Peth

The vartaphalak (right in the back) is foregrounded by the busy market that sits in the narrow Mashi Aali (literally meaning the fish alley, because of the weekly fish market that sits here)

Locating the vartaphalak

This vartaphalak is located in Bhawani Peth.

A vartaphalak located in a labyrinth of small crisscrossing lanes in Ganj Peth.

Locating the vartaphalak

This vartaphalak is located in a Dalit basti (slum). The fact that it is a Dalit basti is in fact indicated by the message on the vartaphalak, which celebrates the 2550th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha. Buddha is extremely important for the Dalit community, since a large proportion of this community has converted to Buddism.

A Shiv Sena (a right wing political party in Maharashtra) vartaphalak located in Shaniwar Peth.

Locating the vartaphalak

This vartaphalak is located at the end of a slum in Shukrawar Peth. It is announcing an engagement ceremony.

Vartaphalak in the Maashi Aali (literally meaning the fish lane, derived from the fact that a weekly fish market sits here) in Ganj Peth.

Articulate Spaces

Vartaphalaks declare their identity to the outside world through a range of visual symbols or markers. In case of vartaphalaks of political parties these symbols are naturally overt, and hence easy to mark. The spaces around other vartaphalaks, however, also articulate their identity equally clearly. The variety of markers used here is much more interesting: colours that dominate the space, photographs of their respective leaders, important quotes, cultural artifacts like flags and sometimes even the structure where the vartaphalak is located (like next to a temple or a durgah).

It is fascinating how these symbols are instantly recognizable to all of us. We know precisely what a saffron flag or the invocation ‘Jai Bhim’ signifies. Associations with words like Shraddha and Saburi or the symbol of chaand-sitara (crecent moon and star) need not be explained to us. As a society, we have collectively made these associations and the spaces around vartaphalaks reflect these collective symbols in a creative manner.

Articulate Spaces

This vartaphalak belonging to Sai Seva Pratishthan in Guruwar Peth has a garlanded photograph of Sai Baba on the top, with the words Shraddha (faith) and Saburi (patience) written on both its sides. The name of the organization itself is suggestive : Sai Seva Pratishthaan meaning organization dedicated to the service of Sai Baba.

This vartaphalak has a life size photograph of Dr. Hedgewar, the founder of RSS, the ultra-rightwing organization in India. Interestingly, in the bottom half of the picture is a safforn coloured image of India, with the words 'Yes, I declare this is a Hindu nation!' written across it. These were the words of Dr. Hedgewar.

Articulate Spaces

Hanuman Jayanti (the birth of Lord Hanuman) being celebrated in this temple, which has a Sanatan Sanstha vartaphalak posted on one of its sides.

Articulate Spaces

On the left is the Vartaphalak located in the Ram Mandir in Sadhashiv Peth. There are a couple of boards advertising 'Sanskaar Shibir' next to the saffron flag. These are basically 'Sanskaar' classes run for children during summer vacations, during which they are taught 'culture' (Hindu) and taught religious hyms , given information about significance of our customs, are told stories and so on.

The vartaphalak in Guruwar Peth (above) is a Congress vartaphalak as is obvious by the flag hanging from the phalak. The ward office of Congress party is located just next to the vartaphalak.

Articulate Spaces

In some cases one can almost sense an emotion behind the expression of this identity. A couple of vartaphalaks which were located in a Dalit basti, for instance, declared their Dalit status proudly. The quotes chosen to accompany the board, the faintly charismatic photographs of Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe, the blue coloured flag fluttering in the air: there is almost defiance in this expression.

Articulate Spaces

Rajewadi Mitra Mandal vartaphalak, located in a Dalit basti (slum) in Nana Peth.

The Jai Bhim Mitra Mandal vartaphalak in Nana Peth.

Articulate Spaces

It was most interesting that several Muslim boards had the tri-colour incorporated in a noticeable manner, somewhere in their spaces. As if they are responding to a compulsion they sense to publicly declare allegiance to the tri-colour…

Undoubtedly, larger social processes are being subtly reflected in these sites; were we to look more carefully, we would see several such narratives unfold.

In the picture is the KGN mission vartaphalak in Ghorpade Peth.

Articulate Spaces

Mohammad Baksh Karim Baksh Young Circle vartaphalak in Bhavani Peth.

Articulate Spaces

The vartaphalak of the Tiranga Young Circle (on the right) has a border of the three colours of saffron, white and green. Also the name of the group itself is suggestive, since its called Tiranga (the Indian tricolour)

What they say

This is the core of articulate spaces – their words and their messages. These words determine how people relate to the vartaphalaks: whether they identify with those messages or feel offended by them, whether they laugh at them or simply derive news about local happenings around them.

The sheer variety of messages reveals the depth of their content. For instance, vartaphalaks which incite anti-minority sentiments clearly represent a specific socio-political context. Critiques of the establishment testify to a basic democratic spirit that our public spaces imbibe…

This vartaphalak in Laxminagar drips sarcasm! It has been written on the occassion of Makar Sankranti, a festival when people exchange sweets made out of sesame and greet each other saying Tilgul ghya ani god bola. Meaning that please accept the sesame sweet and talk sweetly.

The educated cry for jobs
Farmers commit suicide
Shop keepers increase the rates
And government ministers roam unaffected
Tilgul ghya ani god god bola

What they say

Why does India not have such proactive Hindus (karmahindus)?

Hindu Janajagruti activist Bhavana Shinde stopped the desecration of Shri Visnu through a picture exhibited in ‘Rock America’, a trade center in Chicago city in America! Hindus born in India, what do you do when deities are being desecrated here at various places?

What they say

Sonia Congress has only one policy
Nurturing Afzal, for votes…

Hindus! Give New Year’s wishes only on the day of Gudi Padwa! (This festival is considered to be the Hindu new year)
Since Brahmadev created nature on this day, the New Year starts from this very day. Hence celebrate the beginning of the New Year on this day.

What they say

A photo-exhibition on the terrorist oppression in Kashmir and Bangladesh and a film on the harassment of Kashmiri Pundits, produced by ‘Fact’.
Date: Venue:
These victims of terrorism are our own brothers. Who knows, tomorrow you yourself might also become a victim of terrorism. Hence wake up to this reality! Come together!
Inform others about this exhibition and fulfill your religious duty!

What they say

Some vartaphalaks stay away from overtly ‘political’ issues. They choose to expound on moral-ethical and spiritual matters through their daily suvichaar (thought for the day). One can uncover an entire set of social values, moral norms that we as a society subscribe to, through these one-line messages.


As the suvichaar on this vartaphalak of Sai Seva Pratishthaan in Guruwar Peth says, 'If a society loses its values, then it will lose everything'.

What they say

Do the Namaaz as if you are seeing Khuda (God) himself. If you cannot manage this then do remember that Khuda is watching you.
Every child who gives its parents looks of love and respect gets a trip to Haj in return for each look.
A man who does not keep his promises, his day will never come.

What they say

Imbibe and follow advice (updesh) in order to be able to face countless hardships in life and to make the path of your life easier.

What they say

If your soul is pure then it does not take time to be happy…hence always keep your mind pure.

What they say

We’d rather have the darkness, when our feet were on the path,
Light has brought us far from our destination

What they say

Duty (kartavya)

It is but natural to be enthused by victory and be disappointed by defeat. However our tradition tells us that more important than victory or defeat is our duty.

What they say

Only if you love the Prophet, will your prayers be accepted,
Otherwise, even a thousand pleas will go in vain
The love for the Prophet purifies the heart,
And if it becomes a mirror, it will reflect the vision of Medina

What they say

The content of the following images is not political or non-political, spiritual or religious. It is mundane, ranging from cricket to erratic water supply to insurance for auto rickshaw drivers. But these are things which matter in common people’s lives, which is why these vartaphalaks come closest to becoming people’s spaces, reflecting their concerns, celebrations or anxieties.

The vartaphalaks also speak of a communal way of life where deaths and weddings are announced on the common vartaphalak. Where Urus of a pir or local festivals remain significant events in the community’s social life.

What they say

Senior member of our locality (chowk) Rambhau Garud expired after a short illness today afternoon. May his Soul rest in peace. The funeral procession shall leave at 7 in the evening.

Its interesting to see that all notices announcing the death of a locality member are always garlanded as a mark of respect for the deceased person.

What they say

The return ticket of Indian Cricket Team has been fixed…Sri Lanka beats India by 63 runs. India out of the first round after 15 years! Faint glimmer of hope, Bermuda should defeat Bangladesh.

What they say

We heartily welcome the procession of Shree Navlobanath and Shree Narmadeshwar Utsav (a local deity)

What they say

Beware!

Doctor’s advice to protect yourself from infections in the monsoon.
Drink boiled water. Do not let water accumulate for more than 24 hours.
Keep water containers clean and dry at least once a week. Do not eat uncovered food. Always keep food covered. Do not let pools of stagnant water accumulate.
Keep your surroundings clean.

What they say

Because of a problem in the Parvati water purification centre, water supply will resume late (8.00) today
Sincerely yours, Nagarsevak.________________

What they say

An appeal to the citizens

A street play is going to be presented by Dalvi Hospital Aarogyaseva Virodhi Manch. We request community members to attend this play. Time 6.30
A protest march will be organized against the privatization of Dalvi hospital on 7.06.07

What they say

The Urus (special festival held in the honour of the pir Siddi Shah Moula) is a significant social event for the residents of this lane. The whole areas, including the vartaphalak wears a festive look during this period.

What they say

Insurance policy

Good news for auto rickshaw drivers and owners. The Rickshaw panchayat has started a common insurance policy for rickshaw drivers. Do pay the annual installment of Rs. 110/- and avail of this opportunity.

What they say

It is interesting to juxtapose the two series presented ahead to see the completely varied discourses that govern these two vartaphalaks and their writers. At the risk of interpreting too much in these lines, I may add that they are not just messages on notice-boards, but are two very different outlooks towards life situations in general.

What they say

Religious education

The man of the house should worship all the Gods in the house daily. If a man is not present then the puja can be performed by a senior woman of the house. Everybody in the house should pray before God and offer flowers if possible. As much as possible everybody should remain present for the aarti and participate in the aarti. Everybody should sing the aarti together and melodiously. If that is not possible, then one person should sing and the rest should clap. One should not keep Gods in various places in the house and worship them.

What they say

Religious education

To protect oneself from evil forces on new moon day or other days, one should offer a coconut to one’s family deity. One should pray that the bad energies troubling one self are transferred to the coconut and then the coconut should be broken in front of the God. A coconut is mediumistic in nature: it can attract and transmit good as well as evil energies.