Mural cries out against woman abuse

KOLKATA: A giant mural — 40ft × 25ft — reflecting the dreams and aspirations of women who survived abuse and violence was unveiled on the wall of Swayam’s support centre in south Kolkata’s Deodar Street on Saturday evening by developmental feminist activist, poet, author and social scientist Kamla Bhasin.

Swayam is a Kolkata-based women’s rights organization committed to advancing women’s rights and ending inequality and violence against women and their children. Unveiling of the mural marked the culmination of the fortnight-long International Campaign to Stop Violence against Women and Girls that is observed worldwide.

The mural was conceptualised using the survivors’ drawings, writing (prose and poetry) and handmade artistic objects by artist Chhatrapati Dutta, principal of Government Art College. It was then painted on the south-facing wall of the support centre by young artists from across Kolkata.

“Last year, Swayam had collaborated with Swiss artist Franziska Greber who used dupattas on which survivors of violence had voiced their struggle and expectations from the world to create an installation, ‘Voices of Courage and Sorrow: Women in the Dark Speak Out’, that was showcased at the Victoria Memorial Hall,” said Swayam founder director Anuradha Kapoor.Cold Sunday morning in Delhi, air quality remains 'poor'