Carefully carrying sheets of paper tucked under her arm, thirteen-year-old Bhargavi speaks diffidently, without raising her eyes from the floor.
She then displays the sheets of paper with paintings that speak with a confidence that could make up for her timidity.
Daughter of a watchman, she has just championed the International Biennial of Child Art at Svishtov, Bulgaria. Her friend, twelve-year-old Vamsi Krishna, son of a labourer, bagged second in the same competition.
Bhargavi and Vamsi are only two of the eighty exceptional children at the rural art centre, Sanskriti, established by Young Envoys International.
All children walk a minimum of four kilometres every day, from several neighbouring villages, to train at the art school in Hyderguda village, the walls of which are inundated with their luscious paintings.
“When schools have vacations, we run camps where these children come every evening. Rest of the year, we conduct classes every Sunday. In over 30 years since this centre has been established, these kids hardly miss a class. Their originality and interest, despite their backgrounds, has always come as surprise to me,” says B.A Reddy, the man behind Sanskriti.
Untiring efforts
Sanskriti runs with some funds from the government and efforts of Mr. Reddy and his daughter Padma Reddy, teacher of arts at Kendriya Vidyala. The centre has students who have trained there for over 15 years, who now help with teaching new comers.
Coming from deprived families these children, with an undying passion for the arts, almost always have to work extra hours as a bargain to live their dream.
Hariratan, the son of a cobbler, now studying fine arts at Sri Venkateshwara Fine Arts College, is one of the many who have sold milk, distributed papers, supplied water and decorated marriage halls to pursue his dream.
Many students have now found places for themselves in established art institutions in and out of the city, including National Institute of Design and Hyderabad Central University.
“We have managed to get them scholarships in the institutions. Universities are extremely impressed with their skill and hard work. Most of them go to Ramakrishna Mutt to learn English, their only inadequacy,” says Padma Reddy.
Keeping children aware in areas besides the arts, the school makes them paint with themes such as tsunami.
“I really like painting. I don't mind walking the distance from house in Erraboda to come here and learn everyday,” says Madhuri, the daughter of a carpenter, who comes to the centre with here six-year-old brother Bhanuchander.
Rishitej (12) and Shreetej (8) are two of the thirty awardees at the International Biennial of Children and Young People Graphic Art participated by almost 10,000 students, at Poland last year.
