A Rangoli show that preaches peace

VADODARA, Nov 22: From messages of peace and the need for children of this country to be literate, the three-day rangoli exhibition put up by 500-odd children of various city-based municipal schools, at the Vivekanand Art Gallery, was not only a show with a difference but also reflected how children felt about the country and the problems plaguing it. While one of the rangolis is a lock and the key in the shape of a pencil, pointing out that literacy is the key to success, one showed a dove flying above the country8217;s map, underlying the need to spread the message of peace. Other rangolis on display reflect incidences, which coincide with the golden jubilee celebrations of the country.

Though the students have had no formal training, a look at the display of 20-odd rangolis and the 150-odd paintings reflects otherwise. As Vinu Parikh, administrative officer of Municipal School Board, says, 8220;This is for the first time that students and teachers have displayed their work without help from any professional artist8221;.

According to Parikh, what made the event unique was that even those teachers, who didn8217;t have any background in arts but only interest in the art, participated in the contest.

Stating that the exhibition, which ends on Monday, was an attempt to give teachers and students an opportunity to display their work in public, he underlined the need for teachers to be aware of public opinion so that the feedback could enable hold more such exhibitions.

8220;While even earlier such exhibitions have been put up, they were not based on a particular theme. quot;This time teachers and students racked their brains for three to four days and decided on the themes,8221; he said.

According to Parikh, thought the exhibition was not held on a big scale, what was important was that students got a chance to express their ideas without the any help from professionals. He said the Board was planning to organise more such exhibitions during the next academic year.