What made a Padma Shri awardee clean his own portrait? Watch this heartbreaking viral video to know the brutal reality

A short video from Hyderabad has slowly turned into one of the most talked about moments on social media. There is no argument in the clip, no raised voices, and no dramatic scene. Yet, it has left many people deeply unsettled.

The reason is not what happens in the video, but who is seen doing it.The footage shows Padma Shri awardee Darshanam Mogilaiah standing near a public pillar in the city. Posters had been pasted on the structure, covering parts of it. The pillar carries his own portrait. Instead of walking away or calling someone else to fix the issue, the senior folk musician is seen cleaning the surface himself. He applies whitener and removes the posters quietly.As the video spread online, it began drawing attention not just to the posters, but to a larger issue around civic sense and public responsibility.

The video that started the discussion

In the now viral clip, Mogilaiah is seen calmly removing posters and stickers that were pasted on a public pillar. His portrait is visible on the structure, making the scene even more striking for viewers.

Many people said the video made them uncomfortable. They pointed out that the issue was not only about posters on public property.

For them, it was about a nationally honoured artist having to personally deal with something that should have been prevented in the first place.The video soon led to widespread reactions, with people sharing it along with strong opinions on cleanliness and accountability.

About the artist seen in the video

Darshanam Mogilaiah, also known as Kinnera Mogilaiah, is a respected folk musician from Telangana. He is known for playing the kinnera, a rare tribal string instrument with a long history.His work has focused on preserving this traditional art form over the years. In recognition of his contribution, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022.For many viewers, knowing his background made the visuals even more meaningful and concerning.

Social media users seek action

Soon after the video gained attention, many social media users began tagging the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation. They urged the civic body to take strict action against people who paste posters and stickers on public structures.Some users pointed out that posters usually carry phone numbers and addresses, making it easier to identify those responsible. Others questioned whether existing efforts to control such practices were enough and called for stricter monitoring across the city.Several residents expressed disappointment that a respected cultural figure had to take matters into his own hands to address what they saw as avoidable damage to public property.

Online reactions reflect frustration

The incident led to strong reactions from users online. One user urged authorities to impose penalties on those who illegally paste posters, saying the problem continues because there is little fear of punishment.Another user questioned the role of @GHMCOnline, saying that one official or limited action is not enough to prevent posters from appearing on public pillars across the city.A third user shared feelings of sadness and frustration, stating that the incident showed a lack of care and responsibility in society.

The comment also referred to learned helplessness, suggesting that people have become used to ignoring damage to shared spaces.Disclaimer: The Times of India does not independently verify the authenticity of the video or the claims made in social media posts about the incident. The views, opinions, and reactions expressed by users belong solely to them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Times of India. The content is shared for informational purposes based on publicly available material.Thumb image: X