“வாங்க சாப்பிடலாம் (Come, let’s eat)”, is a 4-storey high mural in Ukkadam, India, which features the local food of Tamil Nadu. I painted it over 9 days in Feb 2024, assisted by my friend from Gujarat, Hiren
I was invited by Street Art Foundation India (St+art India) to take part in their 4th Ukkadam edition. Upon arrival in Ukkadam, I visited the markets and residences to get inspiration for the mural. I especially paid attention to food and beverage stalls so as to paint their food culture. I also immersed myself and ate with my St+art India colleagues by eating with my hands over banana leaves and sitting on the floor. AsI progressed, I knew many in the community can relate and loved the mural because when they stopped by, they gave me the “Supera” hand signals. The residents also requested that I paint their pets. On the last day of painting, I added the Tamil words “Come, let’s eat!) to mimic the typographs I saw all over Coimbatore’s streets. A real typographer came by and helped us write it! And at the last few hours, a Pani Puri seller parked his cart in front of the mural. He inspired me to add him as a life-sized character to the mural, giving the entire larger-than-life mural a twist.
Thank you Ukkadam, thank you St+art India , Asian Paints, Coimbatore Corporation and RAAC for the support!
