With the Raj Bhavan MLA K. Lakshminarayanan pledging to work towards the preservation of Puducherry’s heritage, curtains went up on the month-long Pondicherry Heritage Festival 2018 on Thursday evening.
Schoolchildren, college students and women dabbled with colours on a huge canvas recreating the heritage of the coastal town. In the open space at Gandhi Thidal on the beach promenade, the participants divided in nine teams chose their comfortable spots holding a paint brush and colours to participate in the inaugural event of ‘Painting together for Pondicherry’s Heritage.’
‘Exposure to children’
“We selected 10 students from Class IX who are passionate about art. So far, they have tried their hands at pencil drawing and colouring in small sheets of paper. This is the first time that they are painting on a large canvas. The event will give a good exposure to the children,” said Maria Martin, a science teacher from Perunthalaivar Kamaraj Government Boys High School in Muthialpet.
Sowmya, a postgraduate student from Pondicherry Central University, was painting a large canvas along with her daughter Atchaya, who is in UKG.
“We came to know of this event through facebook and registered as individual participants,” said Ms. Sowmya, who was joined by Amulya and her three-year-old daughter Nairithi.
Apart from individual participants, students from Sri Manakula Vinayagar School of Architecture, Excel College of Architecture and Planning from Komarapalayam in Erode, Amalorpavam Higher Secondary School took part in the event.
Talent platform
Sunaina Mandeen of People for Pondicherry’s Heritage (PPH) said that the community painting event was organised to involve youngsters to give them a taste of heritage and provide a platform to showcase their talents.
She added that each participant will make a personal commitment to preserve Puducherry’s heritage.
Mr. Lakshminarayanan appreciated the efforts of the PPH in involving youngsters in the initiative to promote and conserve the rich heritage of the town.
