Imagine looking at dull, white walls for days while recovering from a lethal disease, or treating patients surrounded by the constant fear of a virus. Now, visualise a pop of colours in a painting, or a happy poster depicting healthcare workers as superheroes, or gulmohars blossoming out of a frame on the same walls; suddenly, the hospital doesn't seem so dreary. This is the idea driving the initiative titled A Brighter Day — a collaboration between Kala Ghoda-based art space, Method, and DIY.health, a start-up — which aims to uplift the spirits of medical workers, patients and their families through art.

Dr Swapneil Parikh, co-founder, DIY.health, which has been working on innovations in the battle against the pandemic, says the thought struck him four months ago. "Having worked with healthcare workers, we've noticed the kind of effect the whole situation has been having on their mental health. All these [medical] spaces are very sterile, lacking colour or cheer," explains Dr Parikh, adding that he then reached out to his friend and Method founder Sahil Arora, who came up with the idea of A Brighter Day. They posted an open call to artists, asking them to send in artworks that "can put a smile on the faces of people in these spaces", shares Arora. "While it may seem like a small contribution, it's something that can contribute to the overall mental wellbeing of healthcare workers and patients."