There is a lot to learn about Mahatma Gandhi beyond what is given in the school curriculum and getting students involved in projects is the best way to make them learn more.
“We started a project of getting a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi done by students using eco-friendly material during our Independence Day celebrations. The students are working on a number of portraits using natural material. Getting involved in the project has kindled an interest in Mahatma among the students,” explained Manija Subrahmanyam, principal of Oakridge International School here.
Mahatma Gandhi cared for nature and wanted to protect it and it was good that we could use natural and eco-friendly material reflecting Gandhiji’s ideals, Sushmitha K, a student of Class IX, said. She along with three other girls, G. Isha, K. Taruni and Aishwarya worked on the project.
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“Only after we made this project did I realise that we could use such eco-friendly material for making a portrait,” G. Isha said.
Mahatma Gandhi was so much for peace and if I have to a portrait, I would want to create imagery of peace and harmony. Maybe we could have a drawing of Gandhiji with the peace colours in the background, Sushmita said explaining what she learnt about Mahatma’s life. “I would try and explain to others what Gandhiji stood for,” Taruni said. “I would tell my brother about Mahatma,” Isha declared.
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The students have done a line portrait of Mahatma Gandhi using small clay pots, specially ordered for the purpose. They used clay and natural colours for tricolour background. “We used a comb to give it a different texture,” school visual art teacher V.B. Ramana explained. They have also prepared the iconic round glass spectacles of Mahatma, adopted as a logo for the national campaign on clean surroundings Swachh Bharat, using the small earthen pots. The works of the students would be put on display at the school for Gandhi Jayanti celebrations.