Now, an artwork at frothing Bellandur lake gives the message

Bellandur lake has now caught people’s attention for something other than its pathetic condition. An artwork — a simple message in Kannada etched on the mesh erected around the waterbody — is making passersby stop and take notice.

Noted artist Suresh Kumar G and his five-member team etched the message ‘Kereya Neerannu Oorige Chelli’ (spill the lake water into the city) on the chain link fence of Bellandur lake on Sunday. The words are carved in cotton. The idea is to make the artwork resemble the froth from the lake and convey the message. The photographs and videos of the artwork are doing the rounds of social media.

“I have tweaked the popular Kannada saying, ‘Kereya Neerannu Kerege Chelli’. I thought this was the best way to explain the present scenario of lake pollution, water shortage, lack of recycling water and poor connectivity between lakes,” he said.

The Kannada saying literally means return the lake water back to the lake. Figuratively, it means going back to one’s roots.

The artwork is a part of Neeru Forum, an ongoing exhibition at Venkatappa Art Gallery. Some of Kumar’s artworks are on exhibition at the gallery.

Kumar, who lives in southern Bengaluru, is not worried if the artwork gets damaged as there is no one at the site to take care of it. “It took us (six people) two hours to put it up. I am not worried if it is tampered with or damaged by people, the contractor or officials. My job was to convey a message. I have done my bit. I have not damaged any public property. I hear that people have liked it (the artwork),” he said.