The scorching sun or the heat of the examination season proved no barrier to art. The 160-odd schoolchildren who turned up for The Hindu Young World Painting Competition at the Mahila Mall here on Tuesday from different parts of north Kerala took up the challenge with elan, and went on to win the hearts of judges with their artistic imagination and social awareness.
“Our children have started visualising things in their entirety,” said Madhavan V.P., one of the judges of the event. “They no longer need the guidance of elders to decide which colour should go where or how to reflect their thoughts on paper. They have very distinct artistic styles,” he said.
“The paintings prove that children these days are well aware of social realities,” said Denzil John, another judge. “It is commendable that they nourish such profound thoughts at such a young age,” he added.
Winners
The competition was held in the junior (Classes 4, 5 and 6) and senior (Classes 7, 8 and 9) categories. The first prize in the senior category was bagged by Neha of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Balussery. Hrishinanda S.R. of Vedavyasa Vidyalayam, Kozhikode, bagged the first prize in the junior category.
The second and third prizes in the senior category went to Adish Dinesh T. of Government Vocational Higher Secondary School, Meppayur, and Anandhu Lal T.P. of Silver Hills Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode respectively. Anoushka of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chevayur; Hari P. Pradeesh of Thiruvangur Higher Secondary School; Aarushi Rabinesh of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chevayur; Samvritha of MSS Public School, Malikkadavu; Anagha T.P. of Providence Girls Higher Secondary School; Devika A.P. of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kozhikode; and Heya Zlita of MSS Public School, Malikkadavu, bagged consolation prizes.
The second and third prizes in the junior category went to Hanza Fathima from Kannur and Devananda K.P. of Kendriya Vidyalaya-1, Kozhikode, respectively. Arya Krishna of Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kozhikode; Niswasa of Kendriya Vidyalaya-1, Kozhikode; Aisha Sithara N.P. from Chaliyam; Niketh A.K. of Farook Higher Secondary School; Krishnapriya of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chevayur; Minha Sabir of St. Joseph’s Anglo Indian Girls Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode; and Sweeya J. Pookat of Little Daffodils School, West Hill, bagged consolation prizes.
P.P. Bhaskaran, Chief Executive Officer of Sargaalaya Arts and Craft Village, was the guest of honour.Presenting the prizes to the winners, Mr. Bhaskaran said paintings had an emotional value as far as a child was concerned as it was the first form of art they tried their hand on.
Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE) Assistant General Manager Raju I. and Senior Manager P. Padmakumar, and Mahila Mall representatives K. Beena and K. Vijaya were present. The event was powered by Thyrocare.
KSFE was the regional sponsor while Mahila Mall was the venue partner.