“Please take care of this art piece, please don’t stick bills (over it),” read two signposts beneath Hyderpora flyover along the road leading to Srinagar International Airport. Though no bills have been glued, the authorities have themselves blocked the view of the ‘art peace’ —traditional mural paintings, by allowing installation of a hoarding in front of them. “A big HDFC Bank hoarding has been erected in front of these murals. The authorities could have simply designated some other place for hoarding to protect the view of the traditional murals, but surprisingly it did not do so despite the fact that it had appealed others to take of this art piece,” an official who wished not to be named, said. The mural paintings on the pillars of the flyover were done to highlight the traditions of Kashmir as also to give it an attractive look. “The paintings were appreciated even by the foreign tourists,” said a senior government official, wishing not to be named. “Ironically, some officials at the helm in the Srinagar Municipal Corporation have allowed blocking of the view of the paintings by permitting installation of hoarding in front of them,” the official said, adding that this act is “universally unacceptable”. “Even if it was imperative to install the hoarding, there were several open spots along the flyover and the roadside where it could have been installed. But selecting the spot beneath the flyover defies logic as it has defeated the very objective of the mural paintings. The SMC needs to revisit its decision and take corrective measures,” said an artist.
