Applaud the talents of young artists from Kherwadi in Bandra East that are on display at an exhibition at Nehru Centre this week
Visitors observe the paintings at the exhibition. Pics/Anurag Ahire
The not-for-profit organisation National Society for Clean Cities India (NSCCI) concludes the year-round celebrations for its 50th anniversary with an art exhibition titled Kaleidoscope Kids by the NGO’s children at Worli’s Nehru Centre this week. Founded in 1972 by Begum Zehra Ali Yavar Jung, the wife of the then Governor of Maharashtra, Nawab Ali Yavar Jung, the platform’s objective is to prioritise cleaner cities, nurture responsible and eco-conscious young citizens and promote the welfare of people living in Bandra East’s Kherwadi neighbourhood. They achieve this through value-based early education for children and skill-based vocational training courses for women. Today, the NSCCI Children’s Complex in Kherwadi offers a space for over 350 lesser-privileged children between the ages of three and five, as well as for older kids to learn art, computers, dance and the tabla.
(From left) Ayaat Khan and Vikrant Sahani from Kherwadi with Hasmina Khan and Dr Pheroza Godrej
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Hasmina Khan, president of NSCCI shares, “The flourishing art class under the guidance of our art teacher Supriya Parker has been a huge success; over the years our children have been recipients of more than 3,700 art prizes at the local, national and international levels.” The Kaleidoscope Kids exhibition is filled with artworks by children across ages and showcases paintings of flowers, birds, mythological themes and world events.
The exhibition was inaugurated on Children’s Day by Dr Pheroza Godrej, where the artworks of two most recent prize winners were also unveiled in her presence. This includes six-year-old Ayaat Khan, who won the Camlin India art event in September, and 19-year-old Vikrant Sahani, who won a recent international art event. “It was quite a moment for them to see their paintings and receive accolades,” the president continues, “The works are of such quality that it’s tough to believe these are the paintings of children given an opportunity to hone their talent.”
During the course of the exhibition, the gallery will open its space for the NGO’s young artists to paint and create in a new setting surrounded by an exhibition of their works, and visitors. The art — along with hand-painted diyas, cards and kettles bearing Warli art — will be sold at the venue. She tells us that the nominally priced items are nearly sold out, and so, more products will have to be created. “We have kept a low profile until now because we felt our work should speak for itself. However, 50 years is a landmark, and we need to tell our story, and display the talent of our children,” Khan concludes.
Till: November 20; 11 am to 7 pm
At: Circular Gallery, Nehru Centre, Dr Annie Besant Road, Worli.
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