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.
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
People behind the words- Shantaram Bargir
Shantaram Bargir. Middle aged. Stays in a basti (slum) in Nana Peth. He and his community friends have been involved in Dalit activism since their youth. He is passionate about his mission and his community. Vartaphalak according to him is their medium, to spread the message of social upliftment as well as to inform the community of local happenings. He denounced all the vartaphalaks run by political parties, saying that they are run only for political motives. He said that he feels restless if he does not write on the vartaphalak regularly.
This message is to thank all the members of the community for contributing metal articles for the making of a Buddha idol. The Mandal had appealed to all the members to contribute anything they could for this venture.
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