Local graffiti artists who are beautifying streets and raising issues one stroke at a time!

Graffiti art has been gaining widespread acceptance throughout the globe. Street art in India has progressed a lot, from the Ajanta cave paintings to the vibrant murals of Shahpur Jat. The rise of urban street art has also inspired young artistic minds to take up street art as full-time work. The following list of local graffiti artists in India throws some light on such artists.

1. Shilo Shiv Suleman

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The renowned artist Silo Shiv Suleman is based in Bengaluru. She has been shattering the glass ceilings through her art and using public areas as her canvas. Suleman is a feminist as can be seen in her art. Her projects in Delhi’s Jor Bagh and Lucknow celebrate women’s lives. ‘The Fearless Collective’ – Suleman’s organization in Lucknow depicts female desire. She also supports and celebrates the queer community of Jaipur – one of her most famous murals.

2. Anpu Varkey

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The New Delhi-based painter and street artist has a diploma in fine arts from Central St. Martins Byam Shaw School of Art, London. Listed among the best graffiti artists in India, Varkey has been connected to major art festivals like the Rishikesh Street Art Festival and the Shillong Street Art Festival. The most talked about mural done by Varkey is Dizzy in Mumbai’s Mahim. She has also contributed to the Mahatma Gandhi mural at the headquarters of Delhi Police.

3. Sanatan Vatsayan

Sanatan Vatsayen is the first graffiti artist from the streets of Patna. He has curated several artworks in this city. His works are eclectic and vibrant which incites some feelings in the spectator. The artist believes that street art shouldn’t be restricted to urban areas only.

4. Yantr

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Do you remember Money Heist? Of course, you do. Yantr came to fame from the mural based on the show in Mumbai. Yantr also makes socio-political messages through his artworks. His street art in Assam and Delhi is one of the best in the country. He has been associated with street art projects like St + Art India Foundation and a part of festivals like the Shillong Art Festival and Kochi Muziris Biennale.

5. Jheel Gharodia

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Jheel Ghoradia is based in Mumbai and uses her art to change the public mindset. From domestic violence to eve-teasing to gender inequality, she throws light on existing evils of society. Her project ‘Breaking the Silence’ raises issues about women’s lives in India. Her street art takes popular characters from Hindi films to raise awareness about issues like stereotyping women in cinema.

6. Amitabh Kumar

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A well-known name in the graffiti arena, Bengaluru-based Kumar has painted walls all over the country. Kumar has also worked on comics and varied art spaces. One of its most well-known works of Kumar is in Mumbai – the artwork titled 'much-much' illuminates the harsh realities of staying in a metropolitan city like Mumbai. He has also headed many projects for St + Art India. His art is all over the walls of Panjim, Lucknow, and Delhi.

7. Prithviraj Shinde

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Prithviraj Shinde is one young talented graffiti artist who is counted among the best in India. One thing that makes him different from other artists is that he is colour-blind. Yup! surprised? The artist was diagnosed with Protan colour blindness when he was only 10. After his friends gifted him a pair of EnChroma glasses, he was on the journey of becoming one of the best graffiti artists. He takes inspiration from modern artists and Renaissance painters.

8. Daku

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Daku is a prolific graffiti artist who started as a signage painter in Gujarat. His graffiti has typography in Devnagri, Urdu, and Roman scripts. Through his street art, Daku raises socio-political issues. His graffiti artworks beautify the walls of the Khirki extension and ITO in Delhi. He has also contributed to the artworks at Hauz Khas and Malviya Nagar done by international artist Bond.

9. Kartikeya Sharma

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Kartikeya Sharma is an artist and entrepreneur based in Pune. He has painted more than 50 walls till now and has been associated with St + Art India. Sharma thinks of his paintings as poetry on the walls. His efforts in painting murals are paving the way to a more progressive and acceptable society.