Lady Flora did an eye roll. “I get it now!” she exclaimed, “There is a thread to all of this. I noticed similar, though less garishly done decorations in and around South Bombay, all the way up to Worli as well. Specific places are sporting installations, presumably in the name of public art. And then, Percy offered another update where he mentioned these newly sprouted water fountains, with fancy lighting and whatnot,” she shared with her friend. “Pheroze, coming to think of it, I’ve spotted and been hearing about this gradual ‘technicolour-isation’ with new installations, all in the name of public art across the city and suburbs. While it might invite attention, does it really add the aesthetics of a city like ours that still lacks basic facilities. Is there any method [read: thought] to this madness? It seems as if the city’s façades, walls, footpaths and trees have become a large canvas where everybody wants to splash some colour on it,” rued Lady Flora. Clearly upset at these developments, she went on to rattle off a list of observations, especially those where the ‘art’ installation had credited the local corporator with a huge mention plastered across the same pedestal.

“I am no expert in urban architecture but what I can safely comment on is that things seem to have gone out of hand. I am all for the beautification of the city, and in my time, I have seen and signed off plenty of projects as Bombay was growing from a port town to a progressive, commercial city, the big nerve centre. There were town planners, architects and inspectors who supervised and monitored such projects. Right now, I am wondering how far this adventure will go. In my humble opinion, I’d rather that the funds be used for actual citizen utilities in public spaces like better roads, potable water facilities, clean and well-maintained public urinals and usable footpaths. All this isn’t the immediate need of the hour,” he thundered. Lady Flora was happy to see her friend’s vocal administrator mode come to life and secretly hoped that he’d nudge his former bosses to look into this rampant trend. Both wondered why a city that nurtures countless talented urban planners and architects couldn’t avail of their resources and plans, and put their practical ideas to better use in their home city.

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“So, do you get my point, finally…about the coloured glasses? I couldn’t take the glare any longer and hence had to take necessary precautions because this visual frame seems to have taken over large parts of the city,” Sir PM reminded his friend, bringing her back to the reason for her initial surprise at his choice of spectacles. “Indeed, Pheroze; I fully understand. I wonder if I too might have to resort to such measures going by the alarming rapidity with which this idea is taking over the city,” she continued. Until, it’s possible, let’s walk around this precinct at least, so we can soak in the natural aesthete, with only the moonlight and soft street lighting to guide us. And no shades, please,” she smiled.

Disclaimer: This columnist apologises to one of her favourite bands U2, for a straight lift of their song title but our sutradhaars felt it would be most apt for a headline to describe their state of mind that led to the crux of today’s column.

mid-day’s Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city’s sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana
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