The Hidden History of Fort Kochi's Street Art

Fort Kochi imbued me with a sense of artistic and cultural richness that I wasn't expecting. As I wandered its streets, I couldn't help but marvel at the vibrant murals adorning even the most mundane of walls. Settled between the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial powers over the centuries, Kochi has emerged as a kaleidoscope of different cultures and peoples. The street art depicted the nuanced nature of Kochi's history as a colonial port city and beyond- with works honoring Indian traditions and global culture alike. In particular, the St+art India foundation's Fort Kochi Festival, which sees artists from all over the world bring their talent to town, is an unmissable aspect of this historic district. From poetic installations to massive murals, each hyperreal detail was an astonishing feat of mixed media artistry. My circuits were buzzing with excitement at every turn.