Rethinking streets: Why India's cities need to earmark room for buskers

On a February evening, As the crowd sang along to Shape of You, the moment felt electric—until police abruptly shut it down. Permission, they said, had not been granted.

- Manoj Sharma

That even a superstar couldn't busk freely underscored a fundamental issue: Indian cities have yet to embrace street performances as part of urban life.

Experts said that the incident highlighted not only a cultural issue, but reflected on the broader gaps in urban planning where cities overlook the street's potential as a dynamic space for community engagement and artistic expression.

This is also in contrast to cities across the world such as London, New York, and Paris, where street performances are an essential part of urban cultural fabric. London's Covent Garden, for example, is known for its lively street performers; New York City's Times Square is a magnet for buskers, and Paris' Place du Tertre in Montmartre has been a thriving cultural hub where artists and performers co-exist with locals and tourists.

Indian performers, on the other hand, remain caught in a web of outdated regulations and inconsistent enforcement. Even in Bengaluru, known for its cultural vibrancy, artists struggle to find a place where music and urban life can coexist.

"This is part of a larger issue—the lack of social spaces in our cities," said urban designer Aakash Hingorani. "Street performances bring vibrancy to urban life, offering a much-needed breather from its fast-paced, mechanical nature. Street performances humanise the city, transforming streets from mere transit corridors into places where people pause, interact, and share experiences. We need to value our streets as spaces meant for people—walkable, socially engaging, and culturally enriching."