Hyderabad's celebrated Maqta Art District, once proudly known as India's third major public art space, is rapidly losing its distinctive character and artistic identity. The open-air gallery that transformed the old Maqta neighborhood near Necklace Road is now facing severe deterioration, with most of its vibrant murals either faded, damaged, or completely vanished due to urban development and neglect.
The Rise and Fall of an Artistic Vision
Launched in 2017 by St+art India Foundation, this ambitious project successfully converted the area's ordinary walls into extraordinary canvases for both Indian and international artists. The initiative brought public art directly into the city's heart, creating a unique cultural destination that attracted visitors and art enthusiasts from across the region. The district became known for its colorful transformation of urban spaces into accessible art experiences.
However, nearly a decade later, the reality paints a much bleaker picture. Multiple lanes that once displayed impressive large-scale murals have been lost to encroachments and redevelopment projects. The surviving artworks struggle against time and elements, with most appearing faded, damaged, or partially covered by new constructions that have emerged around them.
Voices from the Community
Local residents express deep concern over the district's declining condition. Mohammed Ustaad, one of the area's longest-standing inhabitants, shares his memories: "I remember watching artists painting walls years ago. It brought life to our locality. But slowly the colours faded, people repainted the walls, and new buildings came up. The art vanished."
Visitors to the area echo similar disappointment. Pavan Karat, an IT professional from Hitec City, states: "I'd heard much about the place but most paintings are gone." Pinky Shah from Secunderabad provides specific numbers: "There used to be nearly 40 murals. Now, maybe 10-15 remain, barely visible."
The Disappearing Color Zones
The neighborhood originally featured four distinct color-coded sections that gave the area its unique character. Blue Chowk, Yellow Gully, Pink Gully and Green Chowk created a vibrant tapestry of public art. Today, only Blue Chowk retains some traces of the original artwork, while the other sections have largely faded into memory.
Residents and art lovers attribute this decline to the lack of consistent maintenance and insufficient civic oversight. The absence of preservation efforts has allowed the district to gradually lose the very identity that made it special. When contacted for comments regarding the current situation, St+art India Foundation remained unresponsive.
The transformation of Maqta Art District serves as a crucial case study in urban art preservation, highlighting the challenges faced by public art projects in rapidly developing cities. Without immediate intervention and dedicated conservation efforts, this once-celebrated artistic landmark may completely disappear from Hyderabad's cultural landscape.
