Walls of Karachi: Creative, eh?

 Author : Umer Bin Ajmal

Karachi – a heaven for everyone: Be it criminals, politicians, welfare workers, innocent citizens or even an unemployed smoking a joint at some ‘chowk’. The beauty of this city may not be like that of New York or Paris but there is something way different and creative about Karachi – the art of graffiti Karachiites possess.
It was back some 14 years, when I was in grade two, these political slogans written in a revolutionary way used to mesmerize me always. And still, it is quite a fun to read them while travelling to college. At least, it keeps me up-to-date with all that is happening around our socio-political circle. This city has all what it takes to be of such interest that even with so much lawlessness, I never fail to love it.
Don’t misunderstand me by waiting for some outstanding creativity to be reflected through Karachi’s walls. But the genre we have is nowhere to be seen in the world: An art to socially, politically and commercially mobilize the use of graffiti.
Marketing can come handy but at an expensive cost. How about trying the most cost-effective way to promote, condemn, lament or even teach a city having population of 21.2 million with an impact so powerful that will be above anyone’s imagination?

The picture read, “Karachi is ours, not yours.” Oh, don’t fear that. I assure you, Karachi welcomes all.

Such posts, or let me put it this way: creative enough to break a rebellion or even generate hatered among many belonging to different areas of our country who, wholeheartedly, serve this city with their efforts resulting in economic progress for everyone.
But Karachi’s politics comes with such creative graffiti and slogans that can made anyone think about the intellectual capacity of individuals of a country where literacy rate is even less than 40%. And these slogans are long remembered.

“Chaand par aasmaan par, haq parast haq parast… Aik Zardari sab par bhaari… Qadam barhao Asif Zardari, hum tumhare saath hain… Har suu sada ye aam hai, ijtima-e-aam hai… Umeed bano, tameer karo, sab mil kar Pakistan ki…”

 

Graffiti for political purpose is quite common and considered as essential to make presence of political parties felt across the city. However, some may believe the natural beauty of the city is being ruined due to excessive wall chalking on every nook and corner but this reflects a city that lives whatever the situation is, this shows that the city never sleeps and that its citizens are courageous enough to express themselves, no matter what platform they opt for.
On the contrary, this cannot be denied that the trend is so addictive that parties look out for freshly painted houses and chalk them with their slogans that indeed provide them some attraction but not for the owner of the house. It’s always unacceptable for them but not to argue is the best way to save our neck. However, I’d not hesitate to call such practices as objectionable and that they should be restricted.
The graffiti and wall chalking is not just limited to political advertisements, but more for religious messages. Non-political religious groups become active mostly during ‘Moharram’ and ‘Rabiul Awwal’ to spread their messages across.
Though law enforcers have tried to outlaw graffiti and wall chalking many times, but they find it extremely difficult to control it. And when it comes to religious publicity, it becomes even more risky to stop anyone from wall chalking as that may lead to severe consequences for them.

No matter how political Karachiites become but they always respect religious values and still majority of the population is religiously driven so they tend to respect their worship places naturally.
Graffiti and wall chalking can be deadly sometimes but only if you haven’t said or done anything offensive, you don’t need to fear or you will be famous everywhere but for that you definitely need to be a politician.
With so much trouble going on in Karachi, everyday strikes, protests and all, this city had always needed a slight push to fight back and it has done that on many occasions and still possesses the potential to stand with glory once again.
For some, it might be hard to believe having such an extra ordinary people this city is facing darkest times in its history. But one should remain optimistic as this is the city that never fails to impress.

(Pictures used in this article have been taken from Google.)