Lucknow bylanes turn into canvases of change

Once littered and forgotten, now bursting with colour, culture, and creativity, the backlanes of Lucknow are undergoing a stunning beautification. As part of the Swachh Survekshan initiative, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation is breathing new life into the city’s alleys using art as a tool for change. Over 50 lanes have been cleaned, refurbished and painted with vibrant, thought-provoking murals and street art inspired by the city’s rich heritage and social messages.

Inderjit Singh, Municipal Commissioner, Lucknow, speaking about the project and the inspiration behind these paintings, shares, “We take inspiration directly from the facade and heritage of the city, from Imambara and Rumi Gate to Charbagh Station. Even the colours we have used in these creations are borrowed from these iconic structures.” He adds, “The initiative aims to spread the message of cleanliness in a way that resonates and attracts people towards the cause.”

Catching on to the Ghibli trend, the LMC also turned these painted alleys into Ghibli art, receiving a lot of love on social media. Singh adds, “These trends help us to stay relevant and connected with the people. We received a lot of love when we posted before-and-after images of the painted backlanes transformed into Ghibli art on social media platforms. The makeover has encouraged even those previously disengaged from these issues to appreciate how art can inspire action.”
From heritage-inspired wall art to interactive game-themed murals, the initiative is a fusion of fun, art, tradition and social awareness. Messages like “Jal Hi Jeevan Hai,” “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” “Ped Lagao, Prakriti Bachao,” and “Save Water, Save Life” are woven into visually striking compositions in these wall arts that can be seen in Aliganj, Kapoorthala, Gomti Nagar, and several other places around the city.

We have received great support from the public. Our goal is to contribute to the urban environmental development of the city, where artistic expression meets the purpose of cleanliness, helping to secure a sustainable and appealing, beautiful Lucknow.
– Inderjit Singh, Municipal Commissioner, Lucknow -Amina Ashraf