Today, I have the privilege of hosting talented blogger, writer and friend, Alka Gurha, of Freebird fame on my blog. Alka has a great command over language, and her posts are sharp, incisive, and witty. As a person , she is soft-spoken, caring, and lovely to interact with. Thank you for doing this post for me. Over to you, Alka…
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The Face of a Defacer
If you live or work in a metro, it is impossible to get away from that enclosed space called the elevator. Unless of course, you are privileged to have a personal one for your private sojourns!
I am sure you too have noticed the escalator walls being defaced with an assortment of scratches, scribbles, doodles and jottings. A more artistic word for it is – graffiti. By the way, many people do not know that graffitimeans more than one scribble. The word for a single scribble is graffito. The latest ‘Wordpower Dictionary’ says graffiti is “unauthorized writing or drawing on a surface in a public place.” It includes the horrible scribble we see on walls, in subways, on the sides of buildings, houses, and historical monuments. And that is the problem with graffiti — it is ‘unauthorized’ and it destroys someone’s property. It is a crime like stealing, because it steals the property owner’s right to have their own property look clean. But in a nation where defacing public property is an innocuous occupation, scribblers and defacers get away with impunity.
Owing to some enthusiastic scribblers my apartment elevator is painted once every six months. Strangely enough, the dogged ones continue to display their love for art with whatever is at their disposal – pen, pencil, sharp objects and even cola caps.
Have you wondered what instigates people to scribble? Why do people derive perverse pleasure from defacing public property? And more importantly, what do you make of the fact that people who scribble in apartment elevators shy away from defacing airport elevators? Yes, perhaps because the latest ones have a steel body so it is almost impossible to make a dent, but the ingenuous and irrepressible ones use sharp objects to satisfy their destructive urge.
For any discerning eye, it is easy to sketch a culprit profile of a defacer. Any mobile number displayed on the elevator could be that of a painter, contractor, plumber or an electrician. Free advertising!
Lately I have noticed various stickers of packers and movers in my apartment elevator. The car drivers and delivery guys usually scribble the name of maids and indulge in perverted display of dirty pictures!!
Scribbling is not a preserve of outsiders; residents too indulge in soiling elevators. More often than not, young unruly kids use crayons or sketch pens on the common area walls and the parents encourage their precocious ones to use the walls as drawing sheets. Influenced by a sudden surge of hormones the resident teen, sometimes expresses his love on the elevator wall.
Vengeance is another emotional motif which finds place on public walls and young girls find their names scribbled by jilted suitors.
Graffiti vandalism dates back a long way. Archaeologists have found ancient graffiti on the great pyramid at Giza in Egypt, on an Egyptian sphinx, and on walls in Pompeii (the Italian town buried by the Mount Vesuvius volcanic eruption in AD 79!). Private property owners in ancient Rome obviously felt graffiti vandals were pests as much as today’s property owners do. A carved sign found in ancient Rome begged people not to scribble on the walls.
Coming back to my apartment elevator, after much deliberation, it seems that the ‘NOW’ factor – ‘No One Is Watching’ – plays an important role. Offenders scribble only when they are alone; when no one is watching. Perhaps camera surveillance can save us from our elevators getting defaced. But surveillance is an expensive proposition. How about a signboard – ‘Scribbling and defacing elevator walls is an offence. Those found guilty will be punished’? Chances are that the delivery guy will still scribble his mobile number and the disgruntled driver will continue undeterred. Any suggestions?
Picture courtesy:FreeDigitalPhotos.net
In our apt..all lifts have CCTV, and office manager keeps watching it all the time in his office.
Renu, CCTV is a blessing….
Not much hope I see in a nation which derives pleasure in cocking a snook at anything rational and indulging in perverse actions:(
Rahul, but the same people behave differently when they are at the airport or abroad.
This how we are.
I think people deface only out of attitude of difiance.
Yes, defiance is one factor. In a nation where politicians indulge in defacing the streets during elections, defacing and defiling public spaces comes naturally.
I hated it from the beginning and still continue to hate it forever. Right from benches in classrooms, back of seats in public buses, on trees and stones in tourist spots, you name it, they are written. Another thing that annoys me even more is people scratch the cars parked outside. As you said, I always wonder what makes these people do that? Here in the U.S, when people do that Graffiti or whatever unpleasant scribbling on their vehicles or walls or anywhere, I feel like taking a paint bucket and pouring on it.
Scratching new cars comes from the divide between the haves and the have-nots. And you are right, it begins from the classrooms. It has to be stopped right there.
Even around my office, some students (apparently) have scribbled rubbish on the walls… doomsday stuff…. Scribbling disturbing graffiti and vandalism of public property is perhaps an indicator of mental disturbance in a person.
Yes, it does signify mental instability. And also a rebel attitude. Some are simply perverts.
Well, it is a post that has Alka Gurha stamped all over. What’s more, it’s authorised!
I am writing this for the billionth time, yet, Deterrence remains the key. Install cameras. Break the fingers of the delinquents in public at well publicized appointed times. For children, make their parents pay through their noses in similar settings. No, its not barbaric. Those crimes are.
I feel that we need a kick on the rear sometimes. Unless there is punishment for defacing, this will continue.
People do behave differently when they know they are under surveillance. Why do the same people control their urge to deface when they are at an airport or abroad?
well, Graffiti affects everybody who sees it or is victim of it. It may seem harmless, but they ravage the beauty of historic places and pvt buildings too, in addition it costs so much of rupees to clean it up, and can certainly have a impact on people’s mood too who like to see things in a proper and decent way…..but unfortunately people who are doing it somehow enjoy their “street act” it seems…..
There is thrill factor involved…some are simply perverts.
well written Alka. Yes, it is the sad truth and I have seen it in my apartment life as well. No board can help, only self consiousness is the key. I believe CCTVs are not an achievable soultion as you said because of the expenses.
Education, awareness and punishment…It starts from the classroom. We have to stop it right there.
Alka, a very well-written post! I feel disgusted when I see this going on with impunity even on our National monuments. Nothing seems to be untouched by it. CCTV cameras can’t possibly be placed everywhere. Besides, what sort of people are we that we need a danda to do the right thing. Time and again, I am dismayed about the uncouthness of Indians who lack basic civic sense and etiquette in all spheres of life.
Thank you for having me here.It is an honour.
What amazes me is the fact that the same scribblers who deface toilets and elevators control their urge to scribble when they are at airports or abroad.
I think it’s the thrill of knowing what you are doing is terribly wrong, eggs them on. Thankfully our elevators have closed circuit cameras. So the Picasso/jilted Romeo has to look for other walls to deface.
Somehow, Mr. Picasso and Mr. Romeo become good boys when they are at an airport or abroad. Do you think it is a boy thing? Do girls also scribble?
Nicely written, Alka. There are many ways to leave one’s mark on the world. Defacing public property is not one of them 🙂
Having said that, let me take a contrarian position on this (please don’t throw rocks at me 🙂 ). I think people like to scribble, doodle, etc. I like to think it’s the inner child in us coming forth 🙂 How about a “designated area” on your elevator, say a sheet of paper stuck on the wall, for folks to scribble. Who knows, the next big artist might be found through this technique. At the worst, you won’t have (hopefully) have people scribbling and scratching elsewhere. And the unfortunate piece of paper can be changed every so so often. Could save money by avoiding the more expensive alternative.
Disclaimer: While I may sound like I’m favor of scribbling in public places, I’ve never indulged in that pleasure myself (yet). cheerio.
Hi Srini,
It is a good idea but I am not sure the paper will stay there for long. Some rebels enjoy scratching walls with keys and sharp objects. The worst form of pervert drawings are seen in public toilets or even in school toilets. It is everywhere..monuments, trees, walls…Our leaders deface trees and markets at the time of elections. Many see nothing wrong in it.
Thank you for reading dear.
Hi
These scribblings seriously get on my nerves. And the one to blame the most is the one who does it first. On a fresh painted wall, this hooligan goes and scribbles something. Then its already a damaged property and everyone considers it as his birthright to add to the artwork there. I think we should install candid cameras, blow up the pictures of those caught in the act and display it on noticeboards or something!
True, some punishment is the only deterrence.
The CCTV seems to be the only solution
Well written…
http://apparitionofmine.blogspot.in/
http://meandwords.blogspot.in/
Alka this is my first peek at your writing-i am impressed.Thank you Rachna for introducing her over here.
Thank you Indu!
Indu, I am so glad you liked this. Thank you Rachna.
Its total disregard for rules and no sense of ownership or pride towards public property .. Its not mine so I don’t care a damn attitude.. Not only graffiti I have seen people spit tobacco juice in elevators (saw this in Nehru Place and it was yuck!)
I also hate the way people deface our monuments ..
Nehru Place is full of paan stains…
I am wondering, is defacing exclusive to men or do women also indulge in it?
those jilted suitors are nothing but cowards with twisted mentality and i hate such people to the core.
start with a signboard and see if it works (to some extent, it will work). but the best option would be to hire a lift attendant/operator.
we don’t understand how annoying it is unless our property is damaged.
Yes, they are perverts but they behave when they are abroad or at an airport. Wonder why?
Some people have that ‘khurafati” gene, and the can’t stop themselves….it is indeed the NOW factor, and the internet equivalent to it is the ‘anonymous’ factor 🙂
Giri, are women equal offenders or is this kurafaati gene exclusive to men?
I know a bit harsh but when caught CUt off their hands .. or take their pics and put them up on some board.. name and shame works .. especially if the guy is afraid the girl will come ot know it was he who wrote all that
Here in uk if caught its a hefty FINE or prison sentence the problem in india is law is there but they are not carried away,
here IF i see anyone Itake away this paint etc . thats where it hurts as they have to spend money to biuy more 🙂
Bikram’s
I think taking pics and openly shaming them might help. But how can you put cameras in toilets?
wishes to Alka!
Thank you Ashok. What do you think about the issue here?
May be fine them if caught,flog them for second offence and chop off hands for third offence.May be we need penal law like dictators. Even then these people wouldn’t give up, will they?:(
Some people do need a kick in the rear….I am thinking are women equal offenders or is defacing exclusive to men?
Punishment and fines seem to be the only deterrents. Unfortunately, in India, there is the added problem of some individuals accepting bribes at the expense of the collective greater good.
Also awareness and educating children from school onwards…no writing on the desks.
Scribbling in public places is ugly. I hate it most when I see it on monuments/structures that are supposed to be saved for posterity. That’s really sad. But this doesn’t happen in India alone.
True. But defacing is more prevalent here and starts from school when children start scribbling and scratching the desks. It has to be stopped right then and there.
In Mumbai we have a different type of “graffiti”. The ladies compartment of the Mumbai Local Trains has some drawings which make travelling very uncomfortable at times.
This is indeed sad. And difficult to control Awareness and education are the key.
Interesting as just today I was thinking about graffiti! I unfortunately keep seeing the “f” word scribbled all over surfaces while I’m out walking with my son and I find it disheartening on several levels. One being are the culprits really so lacking in creativity that that is all they can think to write? That is very sad.
I guess the teens are asserting their identities or aggression, deplorable as the habit may be.
Interesting..graffiti has known to be notorious and controversial. At the same time they have been a powerful tool to express common man’s thoughts. I have seen really cool graffiti that is an art! requires talent.
Some people just use it to vandalize.
I have seen some good graffiti as well! But, are there spaces designated for this because we certainly don’t want public spaces to be abused.
Alka,
This is a very common phenomenon, even in small cities. It is so saddening to see proclamation of love scribbled on ancient and heritage monuments. Even trees are not spared. In residential complexes it is common to see mobile numbers scribbled with service offered but worst is when it is vulgar scribbling, in words or graphic. In our complex this was seen earlier but has almost come to nil after installation of CCTV, which was installed after intrusion into a flat by outsiders. Public humiliation of caught culprit will surely deter would be culprits.
Take care
Rachna,
Oooops, I forgot to thank you in my previous comment. Thanks for this much needed post.
Take care
Thank you Jack! It is Alka’s writing that is inspiring.
Vandalism should be a crime. But in our country these Mr.Picasso’s seem to be enjoying vandals and roam around scot-free – even when they damage the UNESCO heritage sites or temple architecture, or wonderful mural paintings- Let alone the escalator. How about hiring a security guard for the building? Or just put up the notice in the elevator saying “this is a camera surveillance area” OR “hidden camera! Beware!!”
Looks like putting a dummy camera or notice is a good suggestion and might help curb the menace in a confined area.
as much i find this name calling on walls a little weird, graffiti in its free flow is just pure art. the designer one’s. and all this are done by people who are a little shy to voice their opinions and stick to the next safe option
In that case, they could use other avenues instead of public spaces.
Yup, I too find in most of the Elevators. Its becoming common everywhere. The attitude “No one is watching” is playing important role here. Having camera (dummy one) fixed will helps to prevent such acts.
I feel that this suggestion might work.
graffiti is “unauthorized writing or drawing…” some European places have some great pop art in the form of graffiti:)
coming to the post, we Indians have very weak laws…we need laws like cutting off hands, balls, taking away license, etc.
Wow, and I would want those same laws for molestation and rape too.
Vaish, Madhav, Collen, insignia, Jack, Old Fox….
Thank you all for reading and the suggestions. Education coupled with some punishment is the key.
Interesting post!! Its so silly and weird to see even the educated lot do it in building lifts and walls… doing such a thing must be giving them kicks! 🙁