Art by students on Road Safety

GANGTOK, 22 April: A total of 205 students from 18 schools from and around the capital expressed themselves through colors in the Road Safety Painting Competition on the theme “Causes of Road Accidents and its Prevention” here at Sir Tashi Namgyal Senior Secondary School on Saturday.
The competition was organized by Sikkim Traffic Police, East District as part of the 23rd Road Safety Awareness Week 2012.  The participating students were divided into junior [Class I to V], middle [Class V to VIII] and senior [Class IX to XII] categories, who painted on the theme. The paintings were judged by artists, Pankaj Thapa, Passang Dorjee and Karma Tenrab.
In the junior category, Sashi Saumya from Holy Cross stood on the first position followed by Abrajit Roy of Holy Cross on second and Manish Pradhan of Kye-di-Khang on third position. The consolation prizes were given to Marmit Lepcha of Modern SS and Jenus Rai of Tadong SSS.
Ratik Kumar Das of Holy Cross, Tulsi Karkidoli and Tsewang Tashi Bhutia of Kyi-de-Khang stood on the first, second and third positions respectively in the middle category. The consolation prizes were received by Chogyal Lama of Modern SS, Shristi Pradhan of Deorali Girls SSS and Hangchha of Bahai School.
In the senior category, Shiva Chettri of TNSSS, Rohit Gupta of Bahai School and Ashish Rai of Kyi-de-Khang were awarded the first, second and third prize respectively, while Jyotika Sharma of Holy Cross, Saumya Bhattacharjee of Army Public School and Sonam Chewang Bhutia of TNA received the consolation prizes.
Speaking to students, Mr Tenrab stressed that art should not be judged but should be understood instead. He encouraged students to pursue their interest in art without worrying about losing or winning. Likewise, Mr Dorjee encouraged young students to continue their efforts to express themselves through art even if people do not acknowledge these expressions. Mr Thapa also encouraged the students to continue with their artistic endeavours to be a successful artist in the coming days.
Speaking to media persons, Superintendent of Police [East], Dr MS Tuli mentioned that the painting competition was among the various activities to be conducted in the Road Safety Week by involving most of the stakeholders like students, drivers and others to create awareness on road safety. He informed that 24 April onwards they will conduct Road Safety patrols and invite the stakeholders to participate in it. The SP further informed that there will also be debates and open forums for free and fair discussions to understand problems and take suggestions from the public.

Art supplements Sikkim Snow & Culture Fest

GANGTOK, 17 Feb:  Gangtok MLA, Dorjee Namgyal inaugurated a painting exhibition which is a part of the ongoing Sikkim Snow and Culture Fest here at Hotel Yawachi, Church Road today. The exhibition is organized by Hotel Yawachi and more than 150 paintings of 30 artists from the Oviya Art Circle are on display.
Addressing the inaugural function today, Mr Namgyal said that such exhibition shows have only just started in Sikkim and that such initiatives were still in the pilot phase. Stating that there are many artists who really work hard and their talent should not go in vain, he said, “Sikkimese artists have done quite well in this field. I will definitely help and support them and act as a bridge between the Government and the artists by working towards setting up an art gallery here”.
Such an exhibition should be held on a larger scale and should be displayed during tourist season to get more exposure, he added.
Travel Agents Association of Sikkim [TAAS] president, Lukendra Rasaily in his address said that the main aim of organizing this Snow Fest is to spot talent and provide exposure to them. He stressed on the need for an art gallery as art lovers who visit the state have no option at the moment and added that if such an initiative is started in the future then TAAS would also support it.
Owner of Hotel Yawachi, Vivek Rai informed that they have started distributing banners and pamphlets about the exhibition and have also have given charge to different travel agencies to inform tourists about the exhibition.
The exhibition is open from 9 AM to 8 PM till the month of May.
Also present today were Vice president [OVIYA Art Circle], Dewakar Lamichaney and senior artists.

3-year-olds take up painting at Vasanta Mahotsav

Anusha Gurung
GANGTOK, 01 Feb:  Eight children from Sai Samiti joined the art workshop today at the ongoing Vasanta Mahotsav at Thakurbari. The children, most of them aged around 3 years, have produced some beautiful paintings in different styles.
Umesh Tamang [3 yrs], Sonamit Lepcha [3 yrs], Renuka Rai [3 yrs], Abinash Tamang [3 yrs], and Deepika Subba [4 yrs] are being guided by senior artist as well as treasurer of OVIYA Art Circle, Dhiraj Pradhan at the workshop.
Speaking to NOW! Mr Pradhan said “Art is not just about using a brush and colours but materials like straw, canvas, sand can also be used and are being used here in the paintings. This is an experimental work, I do contemporary art and I use straw and sand in making abstract art.” A total number of 5 of his paintings are on display here, out of which one is abstract art.
Mr Pradhan got his diploma in Fine Arts from the British Institute, Mumbai and has also taken part in the International Exhibition 2011 in Dhaka. He started painting while in school but took it up as a profession only in the year 2004.
“Here, we keep changing the paintings weekly so that every one, especially the newcomers also get a chance to show their talent” mentioned Mr Pradhan.

Art workshop begins at Vasanta Mahotsav 2012

ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 31 Jan: The art workshop on various forms of drawing and painting in the ongoing Vasanta Mahotsav 2012 at Thakurbari complex started today. The three-month Mahotsav 2012 of exhibitions, seminars and workshops on various forms was started on 29 January.
The venue has paintings of gold medalists and other renowned artists who have reached the international level from Indra Dhanush Chitra Kala Sanstha [Namchi], which is one of the oldest organizations, and OVIYA Art Circle [Gangtok]. A total of 65 paintings are on display at the venue.
Speaking to media persons today, OVIYA member, Sagar Subba, mentioned that the main aim is to not only inspire young artists by exposing them to such works but also to learn and practice it and the venue has a large space, where learners can bring their materials and start practicing here itself.
“Through OVIYA Art Circle, we want to send the message to everyone, that art lovers can come here and learn new styles and forms of arts with the international artists,” he stated.
He further added that the knowledge of required materials to use will be provided to them and people from any age group can come and join. Interested learners can even paint here which will be displayed here along with other paintings.
This workshop will be followed by an exhibition and seminar on Wild Life Photography, Exhibition of Photographs depicting the great moments of Sai Baba’s Life, Photo shoot session, Graphic Design and Creative/Applied Arts, Literary sessions,  Exhibition of Art and Craft for College Students, National and International Level Exhibition of Photograph and Workshop.

Sikkim artist lines up solo exhibition in Mumbai

DOMA LHAMU GYALTSEN TO UNVEIL ‘TRANSIENCE’ AT “THE ARTIST’S CENTRE” NEXT MONDAY
GANGTOK, 12 Dec: Gangtok’s Doma Lhamu Gyaltsen is striding strong in her creative pursuits and will flaunt her individuality at a solo exhibition of her ceramic sculptures at Mumbai’s prestigious “The Artist’s Centre” next week. “Transience”, an exhibition of 14 artworks crafted by Doma over three years scheduled to begin its weeklong solo run at The Artist’s Centre on 19 December, in the artist’s own words “revolves around ideas germinating from globalisation, the creation of a united atmosphere for mankind which I realised during my metamorphosis of inner self.”

State-level painting comptt on Energy Conservation

GANGTOK, 14 Sept: Students from schools across the state worked their art with colours and brushes in the State Level painting competition on Energy Conservation organised by the Teesta-V Power Station, NHPC Limited, here at Janta Bhawan today.

Students colour water conservation message

GANGTOK, 14 Sept: A total of 48 students representing schools from across the State participated in the state-level painting competition on the theme, ‘Conserve Water for Future’, here at Paljor Stadium gymnasium hall today.

State level painting competition at Paljor Stadium

GANGTOK, 11 Nov: The Ministry of Water Resources has announced a nationwide painting competition on Water Conservation to create awareness among school children on the issue.

State Level Painting Competition by NHPC
GANGTOK, 10 Nov: Teesta-V Power Station, NHPC Limited, which is the Nodal Agent for the State of Sikkim for conducting the Painting Competition on Energy Conservation-2011 at School, State and National Levels is going to organize its State Level painting competition on Energy Conservation on 14 November, 2011 (Children's Day). The competition will be held at Janta Bhawan, Gangtok, East Sikkim from 10:00 AM onwards.

State Level Painting Exhibition and Workshop to be held soon

INDRADHANUSH CHITRAKALA SANSTHA THANKS CM FOR PROVIDING ART GALLERY
NAMCHI, 10 July: A meeting of Indradhanush Chitrakala Sanstha Namchi, Sikkim was conducted here at Namchi, attended by almost all the members of the Sanstha. During the meeting, the organisation expressed its gratitude towards the Chief Minister for providing it with an art gallery.
In this context, the sanstha has decided to conduct a State Level Painting Exhibition and Workshop, along with competition for students which would be held at the art gallery Namchi. Following this the sanstha has decided to open the art gallery to the public every Sunday. This in a way would expose local talents to outsiders mostly tourists visiting Namchi from different parts of the world and the country.

VIKAS to groom students in the finer arts

TSETEN TASHI MEMORIAL AWARD TO BE INSTITUTED FOR WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY IN AUGUST

GANGTOK, 04 July: Former Secretary to the Government of Sikkim, Kiran Rasaily, has announced plans to start an educational institution with special focus on teaching children the different art forms. Vivid Kala Academy Sikkim [VIKAS], is scheduled to begin in Sikkim with the next academic session in February 2012. This school will offer classes in fine arts, photography, cinematography, visual arts, music and other forms of creative expression.
Addressing a press conference today, Mr Rasaily informed that VIKAS will be an educational institution from class III to VIII with preference the art forms being given priority in the learning process to provide good foundation to the children.

Painter’s Camp and Art Appreciation Course begins

Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, inaugurates the Painters Camp and Art Appreciation Workshop

GANGTOK, 22 March: A Regional Painter’s Camp-cum-Art Appreciation Course was inaugurated by the Gangtok Mayor, KN Topgay, here at Nepali Sahitya Parishad Bhawanon Tuesday.
The five-day long programme has been organized by the Kolkata Regional Centre of Lalit Kala Akademi in association with Sikkim Akademi, and is scheduled to conclude on 26 March.
A Total of 10 artists from north-eastern states and West Bengal, which includes two participants from Sikkim, are taking part in the regional painter’s camp, while the art teacher from Shanti Niketan, Anshuman Dasgupta, as the main resource person for the art appreciation course.

'Painters of Kanchenjunga' come to town

GANGTOK, 06 March: An exhibition of works by the 'Painters of Kanchenjunga', Nicholas Roerich and Svetoslav Roerich opened to the public on Saturday evening at the First Floor, Rachna Books.

Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich was a Russian artist, writer, philosopher with a love for travelling, who, during the 1920s, initiated a treaty for the protection of cultural product and activity of the world, both during war and peace known as the Roerich Pact. The Roerich family first came to Darjeeling in 1923 when it was still a part of Sikkim. They travelled around West Sikkim, visiting old monasteries of Pemayangste, Sangachoeling and Tashiding. Nicholas, besotted and inspired by the beauty of the Kanchenjunga, painted three series of canvas between 1924 and 1925. Out of the 7000 paintings by the artist, 4000 have the Himalayas as their subject.

Svetoslav Roerich, the youngest son of Nicholas and Helena Roerich, joined his family in Sikkim in 1928. An architect, painter, botanist, he was also recognised as a fine portraitist and landscape painter. He founded the International Roerich Memorial Trust in Bangalore and the College of Fine Arts, Bangalore University. Around four of his paintings are on display at the exhibition.

The family continued their travels through Central Asia, returning to India on and off. Nicholas Roerich died in Kullu in 1947 and in 1949, Helena and George Roerich, the eldest son, settled down in Crookety House in Kalimpong. Helena died in October 1955 and was cremated on Durpin Dara hill.

In 1928 the family established the Urusvati Himalayan Research Institute in the Kullu valley, Himachal Pradesh.

The exhibition which is hosted by Darjeeling Goodwill Centre will be on till 18 March. Post cards of the paintings, posters, and books are also on sale at the exhibition. Speaking to media persons at the exhibition yesterday, Fiorenza, informed that, a museum is being set up at the Crookety House, Kalimpong in collaboration with the Darjeeling Goodwill Centre, of which she is the Co-ordinator.