In a bid to reconnect residents with the city’s rich legacy, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has launched a public art initiative to showcase Ludhianavis who made significant contributions to society and the world. Marking International Heritage Day, the civic body has planned to paint graffiti of more than 50 such personalities across prominent locations in the city.The initiative, conceptualised by Assistant Commissioner Jasdev Singh Sekhon, has already taken shape at the underpass near Lodhi Club, where portraits of several eminent personalities have been created. Encouraged by the response, the MC is now preparing to expand the project to other areas, including the underpass near the Verka Milk Plant.Speaking to The Tribune, Sekhon said the idea was to revive public memory about Ludhiana’s contribution across fields. “Heritage is not only about monuments but also about people. Ludhianavis have contributed immensely in freedom struggle, literature, music, defence, industry and arts. Through this initiative, we want to bring their stories into everyday public spaces,” he said.The first phase of graffiti features iconic figures such as freedom fighters Kartar Singh Sarabha and Sukhdev Thapar, war hero Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and literary stalwarts like Sahir Ludhianvi and Surjit Patar. Personalities from cinema and music, including Dharmendra, Divya Dutta, Kuldeep Manak and Gippy Grewal, have also been depicted.In the upcoming phase, the MC will add several more names representing diverse fields. These include noted agricultural economist Sardara Singh Johal, Army officers like Dalip Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Shivdev Singh Sidhu, and military leader Mohan Singh.The project will also highlight contributions in governance and public life through Kapoor Singh and M S Gill. In the field of arts, actors like Avtar Gill, Nirmal Rishi and Pankaj Kapur will be featured.Punjabi music and literature form a major part of the initiative. The walls will soon carry portraits of lyricist Inderjit Hasanpuri, folk singers Mohammad Sadiq, Didar Sandhu, Yamla Jatt and Narinder Biba. Modern-era stars such as Amar Singh Chamkila, Karan Aujla and Rajvir Jawanda will also be included.Poets and writers like Sukhwinder Amrit, Shamsher Sandhu, Sant Singh Sekhon and Dev Threeke will reflect the literary richness of the region, while cultural promoter Jagdev Singh Jassowal will represent efforts to preserve Punjabi identity.Among others to be featured are entrepreneur Rajni Bector, freedom fighter Habib ur Rahman Ludhianvi, spiritual figure Bhai Randhir Singh, industrialist Harkrishan Lal and artists like K Deep and Ishmeet Singh. The contribution of sportsperson Sukhpal Brar will also be highlighted.Sekhon said each artwork would include a brief note about the individual’s achievements to educate the public. “These walls will not just beautify the city but also act as open classrooms, reminding people of Ludhiana’s contribution to the world,” he added.Residents have appreciated the initiative, stating that such efforts instil civic pride and awareness among the younger generation. With more locations being identified, the MC plans to gradually transform blank walls into vibrant narratives of the city’s glorious past.