Protests in the capital will no more be a serious, solemn affair. Urban Gorillaz - Agents of Change, a group co-founded by architect-photographer Malini Kochupillai and her colleague Kanishka Prasad, is making fun flash mobs the word du jour for Delhi-ites.
In a flash mob, an unfamiliar group of people, numbering 20 and above, gathers at a public place. It conducts an unusual activity — the Urban Gorillaz once used discarded plastic bottles to build lanterns that were then passed around in a park in Gurgaon — and then disperse.
Kochupillai started organising these mobs around two months ago with her students of architecture, as a means of reclaiming public spaces. “We want people to realise how precious open spaces like parks are, and what prevents or promotes use of a public space. They aren’t just about having fun, but about freedom of expression,” she adds.
More people are joining the movement, which also has its own Facebook page. A flash mob called Common Man Games, organised by this group in Nehru Place on Wednesday, saw people playing desi sports like kabbadi, kho kho and pitthu. Looks like Delhi-ites are finally ready to come out and play, even after the Games are gone!
The first flash mob
The first successful flash mob was held in Manhattan in June 2003. Organised by a journalist, Bill Wasik, it saw participants gathering in Macy’s department store, around an expensive rug. Later, 200 people gathered in the lobby and mezzanine of the Hyatt hotel, and broke out into synchronised applause for about 15 seconds.
The first flash mob
The first successful flash mob was held in Manhattan in June 2003. Organised by a journalist, Bill Wasik, it saw participants gathering in Macy’s department store, around an expensive rug. Later, 200 people gathered in the lobby and mezzanine of the Hyatt hotel, and broke out into synchronised applause for about 15 seconds.