In the heart of Dhaka, a vibrant metamorphosis is taking place, with the concrete jungle giving way to a colourful celebration of history and tradition.
After the success of the Moghbazar flyover, the artistic fervour has now swept through the busiest Mohakhali area, turning its flyover into a canvas that captures the soul of rural Bangla and the rich tapestry of the nation.
Although the project is not yet fully completed, a significant portion of the flyover is already adorned with colourful paintings.
The paintings have become a topic of discussion among pedestrians and on social media. Dhaka residents are expressing that the city now feels more vibrant and alive.
Beginning in December of last year, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Berger Paints Bangladesh undertook the initiative to transform the Mohakhali flyover with street art. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by March of this year.
With more than half of the painting work finished, the artists are working tirelessly to finish the remaining works.
The paintings depict various elements, including Bangla language, Tepa puppets from village fairs, birds, bowls, and diverse animals, as well as city rickshaws and buses.
Additionally, the paintings feature slogans like “Gach Bachao Jibon Bachao” (Save trees, save lives), “Horn Bajano Nishedh” (Horn blowing is prohibited), and “Bachle Desh Amra Bachbo Besh” (If our country lives, we will thrive) to raise awareness among commuters passing beneath the flyover.
The artistry extends from Rawa Convention Centre in Mohakhali to Amtali Signal, covering all 14 poles in vibrant colours.
Travellers passing beneath both the Mohakhali and Moghbazar flyovers have expressed their admiration for the large, colourful paintings.
They describe the experience as akin to being under a festive-coloured umbrella, providing a momentary sense of peace and joy.
Abul Bashar, a pedestrian beneath the Moghbazar flyover, observed the escalating pollution in their immediate environment and appreciated the solace the paintings offered.
Nurjahan, a bus passenger under the Mahakhali flyover, expressed awe at the size of the paintings, likening them to a colourful umbrella overhead.
Shopkeeper Khandkar Shipan in Mohakhali said: "It feels really good to see the colors. We want our city to look beautiful. But because of posters everywhere, that beauty is no longer there. People putting up posters should be fined.”
Behind the scene
Artists Russell Rana and Shakeel Mridha, under the direction of Arif Siddique Nitol and Tahsina Ferdaus Rinia, are spearheading the painting project for the Mohakhali flyover.
The artists said they have chosen folk subjects to decorate the Mohakhali flyover, as this type of painting is universally appealing.
“Furthermore, we've combined folk elements with native alpana to add a burst of color. The theme revolves around festivals, aiming to uplift the spirits of weary travellers," one of the artists said.
In addition to the artistic transformation of the flyover, plans are underway to utilize the empty spaces beneath it for recreational purposes, such as installing table tennis and chess boards, as per DNCC authorities.
DNCC's vision behind this initiative is to enhance the beauty and attractiveness of the city. To safeguard these paintings, CCTV cameras will be installed on various pillars of the flyover, and strict actions will be taken against anyone attempting to deface the artwork with posters.
Colours all around Dhaka
This effort to make the city vibrant follows a similar initiative by the DNCC on the Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover road in Dhaka, which has already garnered attention from passing pedestrians.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam expressed his desire to extend such street art to every street in the city, aiming to enhance the capital's beauty and combat pollution.
He emphasized the need to discourage the placement of posters on the artwork and pledged strict action against such practices. He envisions a city adorned with beautiful murals on every street.
Beyond Mohakhali and Mouchak-Mogbazar flyovers, other locations, such as the Mirpur 10 secondary transfer station (STS), have also witnessed colourful paintings under the initiative of the Shakti Foundation.
The dividing line between Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani has also received a touch of colour.