about vartaphalaks...

the ubiquitous vartaphalaks which dot the older parts of pune city in hundreds, represent a fascinating case of public spaces which become sites of articulation of different kinds of agendas and identities, in an urban context. vartaphalaks generally serve as visual markers of the collective that exists in the precincts of that notice board. this could be local branches of political parties, youth collectives, residential collectives, auto rickshaw drivers’ unions and so on. the various symbols and imagery that is inscribed in and around these spaces and the content and the rhetoric of the matter written on vartaphalaks make for a public space extremely rich in visual content.

spaces around vartaphalak

spaces around vartaphalak
kumthekar road, sadashiv peth
this is a typical space as defined by a vartaphalak. this message was written a day after the civic election results were declared, expounding on the topic of '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

spaces around vartaphalaks

spaces around vartaphalaks
tiranga young circle vartaphalak, ghorpade peth

Friday, June 22, 2007

Post # 4 contd...glimpses...

Another vartaphalak located right on the fork between the two lanes (right in the center of the photograph). Though largely left blank within the four months that I’ve been visiting this area, this place is always dotted with young men sitting around and chatting. The evenings here are particularly busy, since a kabaabwallah parks his redi (cart) next to the vartaphalak. There also is a pan poi (earthen pots which serve water) located on the left side of the vartaphalak. This photograph has been taken in the middle of a Sunday afternoon.
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