Padma Shri Honoured Darshanam Mogilaiah Told to Clear Poster Displaying His Portrait at Metro Station

A viral video from Hyderabad has sparked public outrage after Padma Shri awardee and renowned folk musician Darshanam Mogilaiah was seen cleaning posters pasted on a metro pillar that prominently displayed his own portrait.

The clip, widely shared on social media platforms, shows the celebrated kinnera artist personally removing stickers and applying whitener to restore the public structure, raising serious questions about civic responsibility and respect for cultural icons.

Viral Video Triggers Public Anger

In the video, Mogilaiah, also known as Kinnera Mogilaiah, is seen standing near a metro station pillar where posters bearing his image had been pasted without authorisation. Holding a whitener bottle, he carefully cleans the surface, drawing widespread attention online. Many social media users described the moment as painful and humiliating, noting that a nationally recognised artist should not have been put in such a position.

The footage quickly led to calls for accountability, with users tagging the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and demanding strict enforcement of rules against defacement of public property.

Calls Grow for Action Against Public Defacement

Residents and netizens urged civic authorities to penalise those responsible for pasting posters and stickers on metro pillars and other public structures. Several users expressed disappointment that despite repeated awareness campaigns, unauthorised posters continue to appear across the city.

The incident also reignited debate on the lack of respect shown to artists and cultural figures, especially those who have brought national recognition to Telangana's folk traditions.

Who Is Darshanam Mogilaiah

Born in 1951, Darshanam Mogilaiah is one of the rare surviving practitioners of the kinnera, a traditional tribal stringed instrument similar to the veena. The origins of the kinnera can be traced back to the 4th century CE and it has historically been played by nomadic tribes and Dalit communities across the Deccan Plateau, including the Dakkali, Madiga and Chenchu communities.

Mogilaiah learned the art from his ancestors, who were pioneers in crafting and performing with the instrument. His father once created a nine-stair kinnera, a record that Mogilaiah later surpassed by assembling a twelve-stair version, a remarkable feat within the tradition.

Padma Shri for Reviving a Dying Art Form

In recognition of his lifelong dedication to preserving and reviving the kinnera tradition, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on Mogilaiah in 2022. His work has been instrumental in keeping the centuries-old art form alive and introducing it to newer audiences.

The Hyderabad metro incident has since become a symbol of civic neglect for many residents, with renewed demands for authorities to ensure that public spaces are protected and cultural figures treated with dignity.