The erstwhile French colony, Puducherry (also called Pondicherry) has a rich heritage. During 1992 a special directorate for art and culture was established for growth of art, literature and poetry.
Art doesn’t need a big platform to present itself. It can breed within the streets of the cities. The smallest tunnels, the biggest mountains, the deepest oceans. As one of the union territories of India, it has art flowing through each path of it.
Art is seen in the architecture, beaches, flaura & fauna etc. The grey buildings block are the original French homes which have been turned into an extension of Aurobindo and Auroville ashram. So that the devotees can live there.
The best thing of the architecture is the colour palette they have. Mostly yellow, white, blue and grey colour will be found by the tourist. It keeps the surroundings calm and cool; they look gorgeous too!
The thing about Pondicherry is that the view doesn’t getting mundane. Wherever you turn your head, there’s a beautiful frame. What attracted my attention where the different styles of doors. And the colour variation. Even a window with bars and a closed wooden section behind it looked beautiful! It is almost poetic how they present their homes and hotels in this city.
There were graffities made at every wall possible. At the abandoned broken homes at the beaches as well.The vendors on road side selling fruits had their own way of presenting the fruits cut up into little pieces and placed in a plastic cup like a masterpiece of their own.
This little 10 year old kid left people stunned at the beach. Selling his art works for 30 to 40 bucks a piece. Isn’t that inspiring? A kid not just sitting roadside and begging, instead working hard and making a living off art. This indeed shows a strong personality and a soft heart.
Art resides in the heart of Puducherry, flowing into each street and each person. How you absorb it into your memories though, is completely upto you.
Images and Text – Tanya Saggi
