Who is Mr. D? Kochi residents want to know; "Banksy of Kerala" in metro city?

KOCHI: The police are searching for the source of the posters that have been widely displayed in various parts of Kochi city in recent times. The posters of a man wearing Gandhi glasses and a coat with the tagline ‘Who is Mr. D’ have been displayed on Ernakulam M.G. Road, the heart of the city. A few days ago, posters depicting a pig’s head came to the attention of the police in the Kochi city limits. The posters about Mr. D are circulating while the investigation into this matter has not led anywhere. Although there is a requirement to include the printer and publisher's information when preparing posters, the 'Mr. D' poster does not have such details.

Suspicion of graffiti work

There has been suspicion that posters in Kochi are modeled after the anonymous graffiti artist Banksy in England. Banksy, who creates critical graffiti on streets, walls and ceilings, has not yet appeared in public. His identity remains unknown. Banksy's graffiti began appearing in England in 1990. These paintings have sparked social debates and attracted worldwide attention.

Posters of 'Who is Mr. D' started appearing in Kochi a few days before the start of the Kochi Biennale. Therefore, doubts have been raised about whether the posters are related to the Biennale artists. Nearby shopkeepers and employees of institutions say that they have not noticed such posters being put up during the day. Meanwhile, some people are searching on Google to find a match for Mr. D. Although it is a familiar face, they have not been able to identify who he is. Previously, the graffiti painting on the Kochi Metrorail at Muttom Yard was controversial.