Once again, talent and creativity gave shape to vivid scenes and glimpses from everyday life at The Hindu Young World painting competition held at Christ Nagar Higher Secondary School, Kowdiar, recently.
It was indeed a combat of colours and creativity as 410 young artists competed against each other at the tightly contested event at the end of which girls outshone boys winning most of the top slots.
Winners
S. Nidhin, a student of Atomic Energy Central School, Koodamkulam, who won the third prize in the senior category, was the only boy who figured in the toppers' list.
The first prize in the senior category was bagged by B. Anuja of Carmel GHSS, Vazhuthacaud, while Anjana Mahesh of Holy Angels ISC School, Nanthancode, won the second prize. Anuja took home a cash award of Rs. 5000, a trophy and citation. The cash prize for second and third prize winners was Rs. 3000 and Rs. 2000 respectively.
The first prize in the junior category went to V.N. Sowmya of the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Kodunganoor. C.M. Aysha of St. Mary's HS, Pattom, bagged the second prize while Archa Suseendran of St. Thomas Central School, Mukkolakkal, won the third position in the junior category. The cash award for the first prize in this category was Rs.3000. The amount for the second and third prizes was Rs.2000 and Rs.1000, respectively.
Eight participants were awarded consolation prizes in the junior category, six were given in the senior category. The consolation prize winners bagged a cash award of Rs.500 each. B.S. Adarsh of Saraswathy Vidyalaya, Thiruvananthapuram; Abhishek Avant of Atomic Energy Central School, Koodamkulam; A. Sourav Syam of the Army School, Pangode; R. Sivani of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Adoor; V. S. Sandra of Nirmala Bhavan HSS, Kowdiar; B. Jishnu of Christ Nagar HSS, Kowdiar; Shikha Sivaraman of St. Mary's HSS, Pattom and G. Aparna of Army School, Pangode, were given the consolation prize in the junior category.
In the senior category, the consolation prizes went to R. Parvathy of Arya Central School, Pattom; P. Mrinal Nandu of S.N. Trust Central School, Kollam; S. Yadu Krishnan of ARR Public School, Nettayam; Shilpa Shivaraman of St. Mary's HSS, Pattom; A.L. Abhilash of Christ Nagar HSS, Kowdiar; and P. Abhishek of Army School Pangode.
Creative challenge
Junior category participants (Stds IV to VII) had to choose from the topics “Watching TV with family”, “Playing with friends” or “Fancy dress competition in school”. The topics for the senior students (Stds VIII to X) were “Visit to the museum”, “Village scene” and “Working on a project with friends”. The 410 participants at the final round were selected from 1500 entries received.
Artist B.D. Dethan and Government Fine Arts College principal Ajayakumar were the judges at the two hour competition. University of Kerala Vice Chancellor A. Jayakrishnan was the chief guest at the function.
“In many paintings, the style of the art teacher was very evident. Moreover, children are clearly learning to draw and paint using books which give prepared outlines. Nothing kills creativity better,” Mr. Ajayakumar said. Mr. Dethan pointed out that children still seemed to retain a natural mode of observing things around them. “They would draw an elephant in a completely different way from that by an older student who has been taught by a teacher. Imagination is being smothered by these outlines of paintings,” he said.
MIOT Hospitals was the title sponsor of the 19th edition of The Hindu Young World Painting Competition. Tata Tion was the beverage sponsor.