A simple, quiet act by a respected artist in Hyderabad has ignited a major conversation on social media about civic responsibility and public property. A short video featuring Padma Shri awardee Darshanam Mogilaiah has gone viral, not for any dramatic confrontation, but for its poignant depiction of a citizen taking matters into his own hands.
The Viral Moment That Sparked a Debate
The footage, which has been widely shared across platforms, shows the senior folk musician standing near a public pillar in the city. The structure, which ironically carries a portrait of Mogilaiah himself, was defaced with multiple posters and stickers. Instead of ignoring it or complaining to authorities, the artist is seen calmly applying whitener and removing the posters himself. The absence of any argument or raised voices made the scene even more powerful and unsettling for viewers.
For many, the discomfort stemmed not from the act of cleaning, but from the identity of the person doing it. Darshanam Mogilaiah, also known as Kinnera Mogilaiah, is a revered folk musician from Telangana, honoured with the Padma Shri in 2022 for his lifelong work in preserving the rare tribal string instrument, the kinnera. The sight of a nationally recognized cultural figure having to personally rectify damage to public property struck a deep chord.
Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability
The video quickly translated into a wave of online reactions, with netizens expressing a mix of admiration for Mogilaiah's humility and frustration at the systemic failure it highlighted. A significant part of the discussion shifted towards demanding action from civic bodies.
Many users began tagging the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), urging them to enforce stricter penalties against those who illegally paste posters on public structures. Critics pointed out that these posters often contain phone numbers and addresses, making it easy to identify and penalize the offenders. There were widespread calls for more effective monitoring and a stronger deterrent to prevent such defacement across Hyderabad.
Reflecting on a Larger Civic Issue
The online discourse moved beyond the single incident, reflecting a broader frustration with the state of public spaces and collective responsibility. One social media user emphasized that the problem persists due to a lack of fear of punishment, advocating for hefty fines. Another questioned if limited action by GHMC officials was sufficient to tackle the city-wide menace.
A poignant observation from a user touched upon a sense of "learned helplessness," suggesting that society has grown accustomed to ignoring the degradation of shared spaces. The fact that an esteemed artist felt compelled to clean his own portrait on a public pillar served as a stark mirror to this apathy.
The incident, while simple, has powerfully underscored the gap between civic regulations and ground reality. It has reminded citizens and authorities alike that the upkeep of public property is a shared duty, one that should not fall upon the shoulders of its most honoured residents.
