wall of CESC Patuli substation has been painted to represent and highlight the work of the artisans of Kumartuli — creating a strikingly vibrant image that compels passers-by to stop and take notice. It is a 75-feet mural - the tallest of Kolkata. The mural was created by Pune-based artist Afzan Pirzade and commissioned by St+art India (an organisation that creates public art projects), in partnership with Asian Paints, in December 2021. “St+art India had run an online campaign asking people to volunteer naked walls that could be beautified. The CESC Substation in Patuli was ultimately selected, and they roped me in,” says decided that he wanted to select something that would instill a sense of pride in people. After scouring the internet, Pirzade came across the magic of Kumartuli. “I had never heard of or seen something like this before. Outside Kolkata, we appreciate Durga Puja, but we never get to know the people that make the idols. I decided to study the artisans, their com...