Sandip.Bal@timesgroup.com
A
flyover is the harbinger of change — a change that’s positive — that speaks of robust infrastructure which is a sign of a growing city. Of late, Bhubaneswar has been witnessing a smooth flow of traffic thanks to the
overbridges. This apart, the flyovers have been encouraging youngsters to take on creative pursuits. You ask how? It’s where city’s budding talents write, paint, click and compose songs.
The other side of city on canvas
For Avinash Patnaik, who loves to sketch anything he sets his sight on, the urban landscape visible from the overbridge gives him inspiration to draw. “I’m from the Pokhariput area and the newly-opened railway overbridge is a good place to put my creative observations on paper. I get to see the trains halting and coupled with the backdrop, it provides an amazing sight for sketches,†said Avinash, who works for the agriculture department.
It’s the shades of life for writers
Swagatika Parida, a Master’s degree student, finds solace on the flyovers. She’s often seen on the overbridge viewing the surroundings. It brings to life the dormant poet in her. “I keep looking towards the railway tracks, my gaze following the departing train till I see no more of it. I observe people around the tracks. Sometimes, I observe vehicles speeding on the flyover and I jot down my thoughts,†she shared.
Photographers go on a clicking spree
The zooming cars and busy lives are a photographer’s delight, especially if they are keen on capturing the city. Pointing the camera at the vehicles on the bridge or those plying under the bridge, gives a variety of options for good shots. The
Netaji Subash Bose Setu on Kathajodi river is a perfect place for hobbies. “When I learnt photography, I visited different flyovers to practise taking pictures of moving vehicles. More importantly, during the evening the moving vehicles with their headlights on create a unique scope for photography. Even for portraits with a city backdrop, I prefer the flyovers,†said Biswa Ranjan Sahoo, a photographer.
When there’s music amid chaos
The cacophony around can be quite disturbing for many. But not for Wasim Afsar, a science student and music lover, who spends time on these bridges to follow various sound sources. He tries to find music in them. “As a musician, you have to keep your ears and mind open to any kind of sound. If you are at peace with yourself, you can find music amid chaos. I strum my
guitar, lean against the walls on the bridge and try to lose myself in creating new beats,†said Wasim.
Keeping the work mode on
Some students even love to fiddle with their laptops there. Just putting the headphones on and playing music, cuts the noise outside. Then they try their hand at the paint tool on the laptop or capture the surrounding sound to use in their next project. “I am a music student and I come with my laptop and record sounds here,†said Sritam Sekhar Panda.
(Photos: Subhranshu Mohapatra)
