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

Saturday, September 22, 2007

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.
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