City's `Pothole Artist' catches Anand Mahindra's attention

On Tuesday morning, Mahindra Group's executive chairman Anand Mahindra tweeted photos of how “creative Indians“ are turning liabilities -such as potholes on roads -into “street art“.The tweet did not mention the name of the artist but saw over 740 retweets and 1660 `likes'.

Then, a post informed him that the creator of these socially-conscious art installations is Bengaluru based Baadal Nanjundaswamy. Baadal too noticed the tweets and was quick to respond. Mahindra went on to praise the “exciting work“ and promised to support him through his Foundation.

“Anand Mahindra's gesture is much appreciated and it is a fillip to artists who want to use street art for social awareness, “ said Nanjundaswamy, 38, still dazed by the morning's development. He was 's development. He was still trying to figure how the industrialist came across his work.

About two years ago, Nanjundaswamy shot to fame when he planted a life-sized crocodile in a 12-ft pothole Sultanpalya Main Road. The reptile, created in fibre, lay in a pool of green and became a talking point till authorities rushed in to repair the road. Since then, the Mysuru-born artist has made `pothole art' his trademark, targetting craters, manholes, uneven road dividers and littered streets. “It is risky painting potholes. One cannot create something artistic with every other crater you see on the road,“ he said, when asked why there have been no new installations. “It has to be at the opportune moment, which is like a harsh slap on the face of authorities who do not do their job.“

Nanjundaswamy , the youngest of five siblings, lost his father at the age of four. He turned to making hoardings and banners to support his family and his education at Mysuru's Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA). He calls that the turning point of his life. Soon after, he landed a job as a graphic designer at an advertising agency . He quit after three years to pursue his calling as an independent artist. While he waits to hear from Mahindra's Foundation, Nanjundaswamy hopes to figure out new ways to use his art for social awareness.

“I want my works to respond to whatever is happening in society and use my abilities to create meaningful change,“ he said.