Song of the City: India's largest mural in Maharashtra's largest jail

Did you know that India's largest mural is in the heart of Pune city? Did you also know that it was painted by a talented city boy? Also, did you know that it's painted on the walls of Maharashtra's largest jail?

Well, Song of the City, is a combined effort of Harshvardhan Kadam, Rajvardhan Kadam, Kedar Namdas and Monish Naik, the Pune Municipal Corporation and the Pune Biennale Foundation. Plus the mural indeed adorns the walls of the historical Yerwada Jail in Pune.

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Song of the City

A bit of history about Yerwada Jail

Yerwada Jail was built by the British in 1871 outside Pune, though today its right within the city itself. Today it's one of the largest jails in South Asia and houses thousands of inmates.

The Jail has a significant history during India's freedom struggle when Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chand Bose as well as Bal Gangadhar Tilak were imprisoned here. During the infamous Emergency period, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also imprisoned here. Most recently the most high profile inmate here was film star Sanjay Dutt.

The jail is large but is often known for the wrong reasons - overcrowding, special treatment to VIP guests and poor living conditions.

'Song of the City' - India's largest mural

The mural can be described as a poetic expression of the evolution of the city over the ages. Keeping the river as the central theme to this art project, the huge mural flows from left to right and narrative binds events like how the region used to be before made it to their home, following it up with the reign of Shivaji, British, Independence movement, and finally today when the city is often known as one of the technology hubs in the country.


song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Back in the days...

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Marathas

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
British in Pune

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Village life

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Waves...

As I mentioned earlier the project was painted by Harshwardhan. He is better known in the city as the man who transformed Pune's oldest city, Kasba Peth, with his alluring artwork. However, he hasn't just painted murals in India, but across the world too.

I don't know Harsh personally but have spoken to him a few times on phone. In fact the first time I spoke to him was when I was exploring Kasba Peth and was struggling to find a specific artwork. I found his number on his Facebook page and called him up. I had no idea he was such a famous guy then, yet he so humbly and patiently gave me directions.

Harshavardhan is also extremely good friends with a good friend of mine, and if there is one word to describe him, I would use 'Passionate'.

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Blue waves

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Pune is changing...

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Urban life

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Bus time!

song of city pune street art yerwada jail airport road
Youth of the day!

To reach 'Song of the City'

Song of the City is located on the wall of Yerwada Jail located on the Airport Road, about 2.5 km from Pune airport. It's a bit far from the entrance to the jail though. If you are driving from the airport to the jail, you will see it on your right.

Here's a map for reference:





Street art in other Indian cities!

If you enjoy Street art, there are many other Indian cities too with some beautiful work. Do check out these from Kolkata, Matheran and Hyderabad-Secundrabad.

Comments

  1. Nice to know about Song of the City , Amazing mural works by Harshavardhan & Team.
    Thanks a lot for sharing.

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  2. Nice song of the city, Good work and thank you for sharing this information to we.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amazing art!!!!
    Keep rocking you guys..
    It's really beautiful...

    ReplyDelete
  4. Its truly beautiful

    ReplyDelete

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