Big City Lies : Painting India’s Hidden Environmental Crisis

Cities in India often present themselves as shining examples of progress and development. Yet beneath their gleaming facades lie harsh realities of environmental decay, social inequality, and urban neglect. The art series Big City Lies exposes these uncomfortable truths through satire and surreal imagery, inviting viewers to rethink what development really means and who bears its cost.

The City of Joy: Chaos and Contrasts at Park Circus Crossing

Set at Park Circus Crossing in Kolkata, where seven major roads converge. This artwork captures the relentless noise and congestion that define the area. Horns blare constantly, and traffic crawls through the intersection, creating a sense of chaos that feels both overwhelming and normal.

Amid this turmoil, child beggars sell smiley balloons. The balloons symbolise artificial happiness, a stark contrast to the harsh reality these poor children face daily. This juxtaposition highlights how poverty and noise pollution have become invisible backdrops to urban life, ignored by systems that prioritize growth and consumption over human dignity.

The piece critiques how cities celebrate progress while overlooking the vulnerable communities that struggle to survive within them. It forces viewers to confront the normalisation of poverty and environmental neglect in places marketed as symbols of prosperity.

Dreaming City: Mumbai’s Sinking Reality

Mumbai, often called the city that never sleeps, is a satirical portrait of a hyper-connected metropolis slowly sinking under the weight of its own growth and climate challenges.

People are connected digitally but emotionally distant. It questions whether technological advancement can truly compensate for worsening environmental conditions, such as frequent floods and overcrowding.

It challenges the idea that progress is only about digital connectivity and economic growth, urging viewers to consider the human and ecological costs.

The Capital: Delhi’s Toxic Reality

Delhi’s alarming air pollution and environmental crisis are the focus of the third major piece. Children wearing masks while preparing for exams symbolize a generation growing up in toxic conditions. Their dreams and futures are clouded by the very air they breathe.

This artwork portrays a tragic reality that has become normalised: survival in a city where pollution is a daily threat. The masks are both literal and metaphorical, representing the barriers that environmental injustice creates between people and their potential.

By showing children in this setting, the piece emphasizes how deeply environmental neglect affects society’s most vulnerable. It calls attention to the urgent need for change before the cost of development becomes irreversible.

Using Satire to Reveal Environmental Injustice

Big City Lies uses satire and storytelling to make invisible problems visible. The playful yet dystopian imagery draws viewers in, then confronts them with uncomfortable truths about urban life in India. This approach helps break down complex issues like pollution, poverty, and social inequality into relatable, impactful visuals.

Why This Matters

India’s rapid urbanization has brought economic opportunities but also deep social and environmental challenges. Cities marketed as modern and progressive often hide the struggles of millions living in poverty and pollution. Art like Big City Lies plays a crucial role in raising awareness and sparking conversations about these issues.

By engaging with this series, viewers can better understand the complexities of urban development and the urgent need for more inclusive, sustainable approaches. It reminds us that true progress must consider the well-being of all citizens and the health of the environment.

Moving Forward

The stories told through Big City Lies are not unique to India; they reflect global challenges faced by many growing cities. Recognising these issues is the first step toward change. Citizens, policymakers, and artists all have roles to play in creating cities that are not only economically vibrant but also just and livable.

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Roshni Ali is a Goa-based multidisciplinary artist passionate about raising awareness around environmental and climate justice. Through visual art and filmmaking, she explores the social and ecological impact of rapid urbanization and environmental neglect.

She has created several films addressing climate injustice and has received a National Tourism Award for her work in short filmmaking. Currently, Roshni seeks to inspire, move, and engage audiences through her art, sparking meaningful conversations about sustainability, responsibility, and the future of our cities.

For collabs and inquiries, contact theroshniali@gmail.com or connect on Instagram @theroshniali.