BALURGHAT, April 16 -- With the Assembly elections approaching, wall artists in Balurghat are witnessing a significant rise in work opportunities, as political parties across the spectrum increasingly rely on traditional wall writing for campaign outreach.

From the Trinamool Congress' twin flowers on grass to the BJP's lotus, the Congress hand and the Left Front's hammer and sickle, walls across the town are rapidly transforming into vibrant canvases of political messaging. For many artists, this period marks the busiest time of the year, with assignments pouring in even before candidate lists are finalised.

Local artist Biswajit Som said he has already received work orders from multiple parties. "I am completing eight to ten walls a day. Before the elections, I am targeting around 250 to 300 walls," he said, adding that apart from slogans, there is also growing demand for creative elements like rhymes and cartoons.

Another artist, Manmatha Mahanta, who is working with a small team, echoed similar experiences. "We are travelling from towns to villages throughout the day to complete assignments for different parties.

The workload has increased substantially during this period," he said. Subimal Sarkar, also engaged in wall writing, highlighted the scale of ongoing work. "We are working in teams and have nearly 250 walls to complete before the polls. Most of the work happens at night when the roads are relatively empty," he noted.

Artists say that despite the demanding schedules, they continue to take up assignments driven by long-standing associations and the seasonal nature of the work. Many balance other professions during the day and dedicate evenings and nights to painting.

Over the years, wall writing in Balurghat has evolved beyond mere publicity, emerging as a powerful visual medium reflecting the intensity and creativity of electoral campaigns.

As the town's walls come alive with colour and political narratives, the election season continues to provide a crucial avenue of employment for local artists, keeping this traditional art form thriving.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.