Award-Winning Musician Cleans City Pillar Himself

A poignant video originating from Hyderabad, featuring Padma Shri awardee Darshanam Mogilaiah, has captured significant attention online. The footage shows the esteemed folk musician personally removing posters and stickers from a public pillar, which notably displayed his own portrait. This act of self-service in addressing public defacement has resonated deeply, prompting discussions on civic duty and accountability.

Mogilaiah, celebrated for his preservation of the rare kinnera instrument, received the Padma Shri in 2022. Witnessing him undertake the task of cleaning public property has unsettled many, who feel a nationally honored artist should not have to perform such duties. The video highlights a broader issue of maintaining public spaces and the effectiveness of existing civic management.

The viral clip has led to many social media users tagging the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, demanding stricter enforcement against illegal poster pasting. Concerns have been raised about the adequacy of current measures, with some users expressing sadness at the perceived lack of societal care and responsibility towards shared urban environments. The incident underscores a call for greater collective ownership of public spaces.