When artist Ariaaputhiry was showing children how a tree is drawn, he observed to a pleasant surprise them adding birds, people and other elements to it, thus infusing new life into the canvas. This was at a Children’s Fine Arts Workshop in Kuilapalayam.
“I was awestruck at their creativity. It shows they are thinking about what can be painted,” he noted.
The workshop, organised by the Ellora Fine Arts and Cultural Organisation, Puducherry, and Yatra Arts Foundation, Kuilapalayam, Auroville, had 55 participants of 6 to 14 year-olds, from Kuilapalayam and Bommayapalayam villages.
On Wednesday, the children helped paint three large walls depicting scenes from forests, with animals and birds.
The corner of one wall also had a meditating Buddha and a creative depiction of global warming. In the classes, which were held free of charge, the children explored enamel, marble, landscape, spray and line drawing.
More than 20 artists from different art organisations like Ellora, Arikkanmedu Academy and Puduvai Pudhiya Thoorigaihal taught the children the nuances of painting in different sessions on three days.
There were also clay modelling classes held by staff of the Bharathiar Palkalai Koodam, Puducherry, and drama classes held by G. Gobi from the Aiz Premji Foundation.
When asked what he enjoyed the most about the workshop, Krishna Kumar, a participant, showed his hands dirty with clay and beamed.
“It has helped children express themselves through art. They do not have the opportunity for creative expression. On the first day, we had around 40 students. It increased to 55 the second day,” said Sreenivasan, director of Yatra Arts Foundation.
Yatra holds art and dance classes for village students on weekends and tuition classes on weekdays where they help the children with their homework.
