SHILLONG: The life-size wall mural of the 1980s Bollywood star Mithun Chakraborty painted at a government building was defaced by unknown person(s).
The mural was ink-brushed by Ranjeet, a renowned international artist from Mumbai which depicted Mithun in his typical Bollywood Disco dance style posture.
When contacted, Sanjib Roy alias Yantr who is the organiser and founder of the Shillong Street Art Festival (SSAF) said it was a sad situation.
“We cannot help it. We are artists and we don’t have any religion or anything and we only express and make people smile while some people don’t understand,” he said.
Stating that he organised the SSAF as he saw many talents in the state. However, he hinted at uncertainty when he said, “We are going to continue the festival but right now I don’t know.”
“It is very painful because we are artists. I am not blaming them whoever did this,” Roy added.
Meanwhile, SP (city), S A Rynjah said he had sought a report on the matter.
It may be mentioned SSAF which started on March 8 was seen as a platform for upcoming artists to display their talent in street art.
The street art is a mix of graffiti styles and murals signifying women empowerment, education, flora and fauna, traditional and modern day Khasi populace and bio-mechanical art.
