more-in P. Nageswararao, an artist of Vijayawada moved to Visakhapatnam, in search of work, several years ago after the flex and vinyl posters and banners rose to fame and eclipsed the charm of cut-out paintings explicitly done by professional artists. These cut-outs in huge sizes were erected at most of the cinemas in Gandhi Nagar whenever a new movie was out. The practice of engaging artists in the movie and political promotions came down after the arrival of the instant banner printing business. “I am a native of Vijayawada and moved to Vizag about 10 years ago in search of work. Artists were in demand those days for movie releases and political events to make paintings of stars and politicians for cut-outs on a daily basis. After the technology-based artworks forayed into the market, our future turned bleak,” Mr. Rao told The Hindu. “I have even appealed to the then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on behalf of all the professional artists but there was no use. Technology hasimpacted our profession,” he said. Mr. Nageswara Rao is not a lone victim. Many artists had either moved to other places or subscribed to other modes of business. However, Mr. Rao and tens of other artists from Vizag and other places are back in the city executing the work assigned by the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation through a contractor. As part of its effort to take the ‘Transforming Vijayawada’ campaign to next level, the VMC has planned to turn the walls in the city into colourful murals. This has given a new lease of life to the artists. The artists are paid a fixed price per square foot and the contractor suggests the kind of scenery, abstract work or specific concept with inputs from the civic officials. “Having a huge public wall as a canvas gives us larger scope for creativity. Also this gives us professional satisfaction as our work is going to be a delightful sight for lakhs of passers-by,” Mr. Nageswara Rao said. “We paint as per the requirement of the contractor while trying to incorporate an artistic theme in the form of designs or colours,” said another artist.

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