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.

‘Vasanta Mahotsav 2012’ gets underway in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 29 Jan: Secretary, Human Resource Development Department, CS Rao, inaugurated the three-month long Vasanta Mahotsav 2012 today. Exhibitions and seminar/ workshops on various forms of art are lined up for this programme beginning today and will conclude on 29 April.
Appreciating the initiative taken by the members of Sri Sathya Sai Organization, Gangtok and North District and all the organizers of the respective fields of art, the chief guest CS Rao said that this kind of constructive programme encourage the younger generation to come forward and exhibit their talents.
Also speaking on the paintings exhibited today, he said that these are an excellent display of creativity. Through such kinds of programmes, the painters and artists of the state should come forward and should slowly make a place for Sikkim and its art in the national and international arena.
Further, he said that this programme may not show immediate effects in the society, but will make a mark in the state slowly and steadily. Regarding the upcoming art & craft exhibition for college and school students, during this Mahotsav, the Secretary mentioned that as soon as the schools reopen the HRD Department will send notifications to all the schools of the state to participate in this exhibition.
Speaking about art culture in Sikkim, the President Oviya Arts Circle, Deepa Rai said that there are numerous hidden talents in the state who need exposure. Hence, through this programme, she welcomed all the upcoming artists to participate/ contribute, especially the female artists of the state. Further, she appealed to the general public and all art lovers to come and visit the exhibition, which in a way will motivate the artists.
The Vasanta Mahotsav started off with an exhibition and workshop on drawing and painting. A total of 65 paintings were displayed today by 17 artists coming from all the four districts of the state. Artists from Darjeeling and Kalimpong will also be exhibiting their art works in the coming weeks. T
he art exhibition cum workshop will continue till 11 February, followed by exhibition and seminar on wildlife photography [12-25 February], photo shoot session [26-29 February], graphic design and creative/applied arts [01-10 March], literary sessions and exhibition of art and craft for college students [11-17 March], art and craft events for school students [18-31 March], National and International level exhibition of photographs and workshop [01-21 April] and exhibition of photographs depicting the great moments of Sai Baba’s life [22-24 April]. Literary sessions are to be held every Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM.

SSSO to host 3-month long Vasanta Mahotsav in Gangtok

GANGTOK, 24 Jan: Sri Sathya Sai Organisation for Gangtok and the North District is all set to organise Saraswati Puja, along with Vasanta Mahotsav-2012 from 28 January till 29 April at Thakurbari.
Addressing a press conference here in the capital today, the chief coordinator of the organising committee, Kiran Rasaily, informed that the Mahotsav will feature exhibitions, seminars, workshops on various forms of art at the Thakurbari complex.
The Mahotsav is scheduled to be inaugurated by the HRD Minister, NK Pradhan, on 29 January. Likewise, the inaugural tutorial class for the children on various subjects covering academic and art education will also be provided.
A major attraction of the Mahotsav begins from 29 January till 11 February with an exhibition, workshop on drawing, painting and sculpture along with literary session every Sunday. Also, throughout the fest, exhibition and seminar on wildlife photography by Sikkim Ornithological Society, photo shoot session on the theme of ‘Emotion’, Graphic Design and Creative, Applied arts, inspirational songs, bhakti geet, skit competition on Hindu mythology, art and craft exhibition for college students, art and craft events for school students.
From 01 to 21 April, the inauguration of the India International Photographic Council- Sikkim and North-east chapter at Gangtok along with international, national level exhibition of photography and workshop on portraiture, fashion and production, journalism, digital photography, cinematography, nature, wildlife and festivals.
From 24 April onwards, prayers and devotional songs, exhibition of the photographs depicting the great moments of Sai Baba’s life will be showcased and on 29 April the valedictory function will be held.
Mr. Rasaily further mentioned that the co-organizers of the programme are fine arts - Oviya Art Circle, Gangtok; Wildlife Photography- Sikkim Ornithological Society; Sculpture, Craft and Fine Arts- Vikas Kala Akademi [VIKAS]; National, international exhibition of photographs, seminar, workshop by India International Photographic Council, Delhi; Exhibition of Photographs on Nature and Himalayas by Ashok Dilwali [Delhi]; Graphic Design, Creative Art, Applied Art by GM Pahari [Government College of Art, Kolkata]; Literature by Vichar Kala Sangam, Gangtok, Performing Art by Various artists and Sai youth and Photo Journalism, Creative Photography by Third Eye, Kolkata.