Some children are, far from being reprimanded, allowed to turn walls of their homes into drawing boards. Not merely an exception to the rule, 13-year-old Kiranmaye had, as a child, been lauded at every such attempt.
Not without reason did her parents, Prem Kumar and Kavita, encourage such a fantasy. Having begun with amateurish outlines a decade ago, Kiranmaye has to her credit nearly 115 State and country-wide awards that recognise her flair for the creative arts.
Even as 15 children with outstanding talent from across the globe had been selected as jury members at the recently held 17th International Children's film Festival; Kiranmaye was among the four children to have been chosen from the country.
Started as a hobby
“I began painting merely as a hobby like any other child, but it has now become my choice for a career. I have begun displaying my work in galleries and the paintings I have sold have fetched me over Rs.15,000,” says an enthusiastic Kiranmaye.
While a few in their teens understand the value of the classic ‘Tanjore painting', the ninth grader has begun creating them.
“The entire process from the outline, to the kundan work and even the face of the painting is done by her, sans any help from another,” says Kavita.
Having won accolades for fabric, glass and oil paintings, besides pencil sketching, clay modelling and collage work, she has barely been trained in any given kind of painting, says her parents.
Besides acing painting competitions conducted by schools and State government organisation, she has been adjudged as a meritorious achiever by the Women Development and Child Welfare Department and has also been selected for the ‘Bala Ratna' awards.
