An international online painting competition for children launched by Kerala Tourism to commemorate the late child artist Edmund Thomas Clint, who has left behind a rich repertoire of over 25,000 pictures, has generated overwhelming response from around the world.
Over 30,000 children from 116 countries have so far registered for the contest, which offers prizes totalling ₹60 lakh to winners. However, only 15,000 of them have been able to send their entries considering the rush of online Christmas and New Year greetings and limited internet access in many places. In view of the situation, the deadline for sending entries has been extended to January 31, 2019.
Kerala Tourism has launched the competition in memory of the child prodigy, who wielded his brush with an incredible imagination to paint over 25,000 pictures during the 2,522 days of his life.
Upload entries
Children in the age group of 4-16 years are eligible to participate in the contest, with each of them being permitted to submit a maximum of five entries. All above 18 years of age can register as promoters of the competition. The participants will have to upload their entries online and they all will be given certificates of participation.
A total of 15 winners will get free five-night family trips to Kerala while ten promoters of the competition will get solo five-night trips to the State. In addition, 20 winners from abroad will be given mementoes. Also, cash prizes worth ₹10,000 each will be given to 65 winners. Forty special prizes of ₹10,000 each have been set apart exclusively for the participants from Kerala, a release said.
Born in Kochi, Clint lived one month short of seven years as a prolonged illness cut short his life. His creativity was reflected through an excellent command over pencil, crayons, ball pens, and especially water colour, which is extremely difficult to be mastered by a small child.
Clint’s last work was a portrayal of a traditional Thira dancer, which the boy happened to get a peek of while passing through Koyilandy in Kozhikode district in April 1983, just a month prior to his seventh birthday before he died of kidney failure.
Seven books and two documentaries have been created based on his life. Renowned director Harikumar made the critically acclaimed feature film, Clint, in 2017 .
