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

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Last word...

Interestingly, all these individuals were part of larger collectives/ mandals/ organizations which conducted welfare activities in their local communities. These ranged from formal activities like blood donation camps, free ambulance service, distribution of books to the needy, celebration of significant festivals and occasions, awareness programmes, religious satsangs, and bhandara (common meal) to informal level help given to those in need in the local community. The vartaphalaks and their writers are not located in a vacuum: the vartaphalaks seem to be a part of a larger value of social welfare and community service that is characteristic of these local level organizations. The community around the vartaphalak also relates to it in that context: as something which represents their collective context and their community activities.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)