Their protest tools: Colours, paintbrushes

They are neither shouting anti-government slogans nor flaunting Anna caps and tricolours. But they are supporting the anti-corruption crusade in their own unique way. Rajat Arora reports.

They are neither shouting anti-government slogans nor flaunting Anna caps and tricolours. But they are supporting the anti-corruption crusade in their own unique way. A group of 30 artists from across the Capital painted special posters at India Gate on Monday to lend their support to Anna Hazare's movement for an effective Jan Lokpal Bill.

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“This is our way of supporting Hazare's anti-graft movement. An artist speaks through his art and we have made special paintings to showcase our protest. Corruption is rampant everywhere and we think only the Jan Lokpal Bill can curb the menace,” said Viren Singh, an independent artist.

While some are fasting and others are out on the streets protesting in support of Hazare, these artists made 20 paintings depicting their thoughts and the present state of the nation at India Gate.

Barely a month before his death, in June, artist MF Husain, the biggest name in contemporary art in the country, also drew a cartoon to express solidarity with Hazare.

Artists also painted slogans and drew caricatures favouring the Jan Lokpal Bill. Many art enthusiasts at India Gate joined these painters in their endeavour. “Anna is the inspiration for our paintings, just like he's an inspiration for billions of Indians across the globe,” said Ram Chandra, a freelance painter from Nizamuddin.