St+art India creates mural at Mumbai's Mahim Junction in honour of the city's frontline workers in COVID-19 fight

With their newest project in Mumbai, St+art India Foundation and Asian Paints paid tribute to the city’s frontline workers through a mural at the iconic Mahim Junction.

Over the past few months, COVID-19 has radically altered the world as we knew it. It has also highlighted the immense role of essential service providers in a time of crisis. Located on an expansive facade of the Mahim railway station, the mural celebrates the ‘Heroes of Mumbai’ - who have braved adversity and put their own lives at risk to make sure that we are safe.

Designed by Gujarat-based street artist Do and realised by artist Munir Bukhari, the mural honours the doctors, nurses, police personnel, essential services and sanitation workers who have worked tirelessly to keep the country ticking amid the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

The mural was completed over the course of 15 days. Set against a colourful background, Do’s monochromatic subjects stand out while everyone is shown engrossed in their respective job.

The ‘Heroes of Mumbai’ project is an extension of the ‘Art Stations’ project which converts high-footfall transit spaces into walk-through art galleries, enlivening public spaces with art while creating room for critical dialogue.

Lying on the Western line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway network, Mahim Junction handles a footfall of close to 2 lakh people on a daily basis.

The Western Railway, which started operations on 5 November 1951, is among the busiest railway networks in India. It carries more than 3.5 million suburban passengers per day in Mumbai and also has the credit of running India's first Air-Conditioned suburban train.

"Aside from serving as a reminder of their contribution in the fight against this pandemic, the murals also aim to brighten up public spaces like Mahim junction with art and social commentary. This is an extension of our mission to create socially relevant public art projects across the country," says Amit Syngle, MD and CEO, Asian Paints Limited.

Congratulating St+art India and Asian Paints on this marvelous feat, Ravinder Bhakar, Chief Public Relations Officer, Western Railways says, “The 'Heroes of Mumbai' Project at Mahim Station not only enhances the beautification of the station but also is an unique way of expressing solidarity & gratitude to COVID-19 warriors."