Bengaluru-Based Artist Turns Pothole Into a Menacing Mosquito

Bengaluru-Based Artist Turns Pothole Into Menacing Mosquito 

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Baadal Nanjundaswamy)

If you happen to be on the road behind Hotel Dasaprakash Paradise in Mysuru, you are likely to spot a mosquito, quite unlike the ones we regularly encounter.

The monstrous creature with its needle sticking out, mouth wide open and yellow eyes staring menacingly at you, makes for a formidable sight.

Only, it is not real but an art work by Bengaluru-based artist Baadal Nanjundaswamy.

Bengaluru-Based Artist Turns Pothole Into Menacing Mosquito (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Baadal Nanjundaswamy)

Baadal, who hails from Mysuru, is known for his artwork drawing attention to civic issues. Remember the crocodile on Bengaluru's streets?

Baadal, who hails from Mysuru, is known for his artwork drawing attention to civic issues(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Baadal Nanjundaswamy)

Keeping in mind the rising number of dengue cases in the state, Baadal on Thursday morning took to the streets of Mysuru to highlight the issue.

I had just spotted this pothole. Since I always highlight current issues, I decided to go with this idea. I am addressing two issues here – dengue and potholes... I didn’t want to disturb the traffic

Baadal Nanjundaswamy.

Bengaluru-Based Artist Turns Pothole Into Menacing Mosquito (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Baadal Nanjundaswamy)

The time taken to complete a piece of art varies from project to project, and this dengue pothole took Baadal less than half an hour to finish.

Bengaluru-Based Artist Turns Pothole Into Menacing Mosquito (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Baadal Nanjundaswamy)

Passersby who witness Baadal in action are always encouraging and supportive, he adds. Mysuru, like many other places in India, has seen a spurt in the number of dengue cases. By June 2017, around 200 people had tested positive for dengue in the district.

Bengaluru-Based Artist Turns Pothole Into Menacing Mosquito (Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Baadal Nanjundaswamy)

While Baadal's creations frequently do rounds on the internet, just recently it caught the attention of Anand Mahindra.

On Tuesday, the Executive Chairman of Mahindra Group tweeted a number of "street art" by Baadal.

He, however, at the time, didn't seem to know that the artist was Baadal. After Twitter users pointed out the artist's name, Anand Mahindra tweeted again, stating that he was interested in supporting his creativity through their foundation.

(This article was originally published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)

(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue? Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at [e-mail] or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)