Is it all about brushes,
paints and drawings? Or is it
about ideas, messages, thought process and communication? A ten day art
exhibition called ‘Choti si Asha’ presented by a school for special kids is
opening new horizons for young children.
Apurva Kulkarni, one of the trainers said,
“It was an experience where I got to learn from these students. I have been
into the field of teaching for the last 20 years, but this experience taught me
to be more compassionate and understand situations from a completely different
perspective.” The exhibition carries freestyle painting, self portraits and
nature paintings. Apurva Kulkarni, Rajashree Thakker, Divya Navelkar and the
school staff were those who trained these specially abled students by
conducting a two week long workshop on art and communication.
People at the exhibition were left
speechless by the work of the young students. Raj Gaokar said, “This is a
wonderful place to visit as it has some mind blowing pieces of art. I can never
imagine portraying myself in a painting like the way they have done. Where the
painting is very simple, the portrayal of self is much stronger and clear.”
This is a platform where the artists spoke very clearly.
Farzeen, a specially abled student said, “Art is the simplest way to communicate
and standing here fills me with so much happiness and excitement.” Her mother
added stating that it was a proud moment to see her daughter excelling with
flying colours. She also said that Farzeen was always good with whatever she
did.
Vinny Fernandes, the principal of the school said, “I always
wanted the students to communicate in a medium which is very close to everyone
and easier for everyone to understand, and my students are doing that now. The
paintings which are put over here are a story in itself. To break the monotony
of the repeated curriculum, we have decided to have an art integrated
curriculum, that is more fun filled and up to the trend of the current time.”
There are a several reasons to call this exhibition a special
one. Adv. Vijay Chandran said, “The very simple reason to call this a special
exhibition is because this is done by the special students. There is a
difference between education and training, and these pieces of art show the
students have been trained rather than educated. There is always a fight which
goes within the mind of a special kid, and these pieces of art are somewhere
the result of it.” He also remembers the late Chief minister Manohar Parrikar
who had approved the inclusion of this school in the education department of
Goa. As a result of which the school is completely under the state government.
He said that Parrikar sir was ‘Man of his word’, who believed in action rather
than just talk.
There were visitors from across the state who constantly praised
the efforts of the students and had memories to take back with them. Angelina
Gonsalves, a resident of Mapusa said, “This is one of the most beautiful
exhibitions I have participated in till date. It is interesting in its own way.
You are actually left with a lot of curiosity with every piece. Every painting
has its own story and their people can easily connect to it.”
There were even those people who were surprised and did not
expect such work from the specially abled people. James Fernandes said, “I
can’t believe whatever I have seen just now. More than an exhibition, it is an
eye opener for me. Seeing them do something which I can’t do, makes me realise
that I also have some disability, only difference is that is evident and this
isn’t. We all are specially abled people because we all have some special
abilities which make us who we are.”
This
exhibition is more than just a display of art pieces, it is about experiencing
and exploring yourself in a way you haven’t till now.
