Watch: What makes this slum in New Delhi so different?
Volunteers refashioned the craggy facades with murals of nature, religion and daily life
Last updated:
2 MIN READ
1/22
New Delhi: A New Delhi slum has been given a colourful makeover thanks to a street artist collective, drawing art lovers and selfie-snappers to a rundown area that they would never normally visit.
AFP
2/22
Raghubir Nagar, like other slums in the megacity of 20 million, is home to those on the margins of Indian society, families living cheek-by-jowl in ramshackle structures often lacking basic amenities.
AFP
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But in less than a month 15 to 20 volunteers refashioned the craggy facades of nearly a hundred structures in rainbow colours with huge murals depicting nature, religion and daily life.
AFP
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"The aim was to bring some positive change and confidence in the locals, who were usually forgotten by society," Yogesh Saini, founder of Delhi Art Street told AFP.
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The initiative came about at the request of a local parliamentarian who wanted to beautify and transform the area better known for its dirt and foul smell than art.
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"We are feeling good about the change it has brought to our locality. We are seeing a lot of people coming to the settlement to take pictures," Santosh, one local resident, told AFP.
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7/22
"For the first time... we also feel equals in society," he said.
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8/22
A child peers out of her home adorned with a mural painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
9/22
A woman collects water in front of a home adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
10/22
Local residents shop from a store next to a home adorned with a mural painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
11/22
A man enters his home adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
12/22
A man stands in front of his home adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
13/22
A New Delhi slum has been given a colourful makeover thanks to a street artist collective, drawing art lovers and selfie-snappers to a rundown area that they would never normally visit
AFP
14/22
A woman sweeps in front of her home adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum
AFP
15/22
Children play near a mural painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
16/22
Local residents shop from a store next to a home adorned with a mural painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum
AFP
17/22
A woman sweeps an alleyway adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group
AFP
18/22
A woman walks past homes adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum in New Delhi
AFP
19/22
Local residents warm up around a bonfire near homes adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group
AFP
20/22
A woman washes utensils in front of her home adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum
AFP
21/22
A woman steps walks up a ladder to enter her home adorned with a mural painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum
AFP
22/22
A youth washes his face next to a closed barber shop adorned with murals painted by artists from 'Delhi Street Art' group at the Raghubir Nagar slum
AFP
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