Artists fill grey walls with chirpy hues

A flock of colourful birds perched on a branch surrounded by blooming flowers. No, it is not just another garden scene but a mural on the walls of an old age home in the city.

Over 20 artists came together to breathe life onto the damp walls of Omashram: Old Age Home for Senior Citizens & Elders, that had withered with time. Dark walls were transformed into colourful murals depicting the beauty of nature as the volunteers wove magic with their brushes.

"I regularly visit Omashram to spend time with the elderly. It gives me great satisfaction to share and receive their love and listen to their stories. It was during one such visit that I noticed that the walls of the rooms where the residents lived were dark and had a sickening feeling," said Tharanath Gajendra, a volunteer who planned the initiative.

The artists were a part of the volunteer group of 80 people that transformed the old age home into a colorful abode. The home has 30 residents.

"We worked for a period of one and a half months wherein we painted over 10 walls with a riot of colours. We had people from all walks of life who came together to do their bit for the residents. The residents were very happy and some of them even joined us in painting the walls," said Reshma Venkatraman, a professional artist who was a part of the initiative.

The volunteers first painted all the walls including the corridors, dining area, doors among others and then painted murals on one wall of each room.

"We chose nature as the theme for the walls as it is ever inspiring and soothing. The residents even shared their preferences for what we could draw for them," said Akhila, another artist and a civil engineer by profession.