Art, anarchy and an unbreakable spirit of graffiti

A silent transformation has been underway in a city once drenched in the echoes of rebellion. The raw, defiant graffiti—etched hurriedly during the struggle to dismantle a fascist regime—has begun to fade, not under time pressure but through the careful strokes of “beautification.” What do you think? If history had a colour, would it be pastel?!   Graffiti has always been seen as vandalism—at least by those in positions of authority. However, graffiti is far more than mere defacement; it is a language of protest that those in power often find unpalatable. Graffiti artists do not ask for permission or concern themselves with consequences. The marks they leave behind usually go unnoticed until long after creation.   Take Banksy, a world-renowned graffiti artist whose identity is still a mystery. In a similar tone, the artist behind the famous “Subodh” series, known as “Hobe Ki,” also remains unknown in Bangladesh. One notable local artist is BijoyGraph, whose striking graffiti has been wiped away numerous times, yet he continues to return and create anew. Following a hard-fought revolution in July, many citizens aimed to preserve the memories of the bloodshed and resilience. The walls transformed into a testament of pain and protest, adorned with...