Once dismissed as vandalism, street art in India has undergone a radical transformation. From quiet alleyways in Kochi to metro pillars in Delhi, graffiti and murals are no longer rogue splashes of color but curated statements, political resistance, cultural celebration, and—more recently—a booming industry that blends activism with aesthetic.
In 2025, India is experiencing what can only be called a Street Art Revolution, as cities increasingly embrace public art as a tool for identity, storytelling, and tourism. More importantly, it has given rise to a generation of homegrown muralists who are reshaping how Indians interact with their surroundings.
From Protest to Profession: The Journey of Indian Graffiti
Street art first gained national attention during the anti-corruption protests of 2011, when activists painted slogans and stencils across Delhi and Mumbai. Over the years, it evolved into a cultural movement.
By 2020, urban art had begun featuring in festivals, luxury galleries, and real estate projects. But 2025 marks the tipping point where graffiti artists are now recognized as fine artists, with government support and international commissions.
The Story of Zake: India’s Graffiti Icon
Perhaps no story encapsulates this shift better than that of Zake, born Snehal Patil in Pune. Once an anonymous spray-painter chased by local police, he is now a globally celebrated muralist whose works cover walls in Berlin, Cape Town, and Dubai.
In January 2025, Zake unveiled a 100-foot mural at Delhi’s Connaught Place metro station, depicting India’s evolution through freedom movements, tech revolutions, and folk tales—all in dazzling spray-paint hues.
He was recently honored with the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres by the French government and has been featured on the cover of India Today Art Special Edition.
“Graffiti was born in rebellion,” Zake said at the India Art Fair 2025, “but now, it educates, heals, and celebrates.”
Murals with a Message: Street Art as Social Commentary
In Hyderabad, artist Mohammed Abdul Muqeet, better known as “ResQ,” started painting anti-pollution messages during lockdown. His recent piece, a mural of a gas-masked child surrounded by dead trees titled “Don’t Choke Me”, went viral on Twitter and was featured in The Hindu.
“I wanted to make people uncomfortable—in the right way,” says ResQ. He now collaborates with UNEP India on eco-awareness murals across urban slums.
Meanwhile, in Kolkata, an all-female collective called “PaintHer” is using city walls to fight patriarchy. Their murals depict goddesses with cycle helmets, women reading in parks, and grandmothers leading protests. The group’s founder, Nandini Basu, recently won the UN Women India Changemaker Award.
City-Sponsored Expression: The Government Joins In
In a major policy shift, Indian cities are now funding and preserving street art. In 2024, the Ministry of Culture launched the “Rang De Bharat” initiative, allocating ₹50 crore to transform urban walls into community canvases.
Cities like:
- Bengaluru now host annual “Graffithons” sponsored by BBMP (city municipality).
- Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock Art Project invites international artists to collaborate with local fishermen.
- Jaipur’s Pink Wall Project fuses Rajasthani fresco styles with modern graffiti under heritage conservation norms.
These programs are not just beautifying cities—they’re creating employment, encouraging youth engagement, and elevating public consciousness.
From Galleries to Ghettos: The Rise of Grassroots Galleries
An emerging trend in 2025 is the “Gully Gallery” movement—where neighborhoods are painting their own narratives on walls.
In Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, local rappers and painters teamed up to tell stories of resilience through colorful murals. Their Instagram handle @DharaviCanvas has over 2 lakh followers, and in February 2025, the Tate Modern in London invited the collective for a pop-up gallery show titled “Wall of the World.”
“I never thought my painting would reach London,” says Rafiq Sheikh, 17, who painted a tribute mural to B. R. Ambedkar. “I painted my pain. And the world saw it.”
Technology Meets Street: AR & NFT Walls
In 2025, some walls aren’t just painted—they’re programmed.
In Pune, graffiti artist Harpreet Sandhu teamed up with tech start-up MuralMesh to create India’s first Augmented Reality street mural. Viewers can scan the wall with their phone and see the art come alive in 3D, layered with audio stories.
Harpreet has also launched India’s first NFT mural series, where buyers own rights to sections of street art. Economic Times reports that his “Crypto Krishna” mural sold for ₹12 lakh to a collector in Singapore.
Recognition & Awards: The Art World Responds
For the first time in India’s history, the National Academy of Fine Arts created a separate category for Urban Art in its 2025 awards. Winners include:
- Zake (Lifetime Achievement)
- Nandini Basu (PaintHer) – Social Impact
- Rafiq Sheikh (DharaviCanvas) – Emerging Youth Artist
These artists were also featured in the Hindustan Times Arts Power List 2025, signaling a major shift in what India values as “fine art.”
Conclusion: The City as a Canvas, The Artist as a Citizen
Street art in India has gone from being a whisper on a crumbling wall to a megaphone in the heart of the city. It speaks of pain, pride, identity, and resistance. In 2025, graffiti is no longer illegal—it’s institutional, inspirational, and international.
Walls may still divide, but street art in India is proving that they can also unite—across class, caste, and culture.
As Zake puts it: “The streets are the truest gallery. No tickets. No barriers. Just raw, public truth—sprayed in color.”
