Royal art lessons for children

Ranjitsingh Gaekwad teaches different aspects of art to children

Devanshi Joshi. Vadodara/DNA
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
“Contemporary art forms should not be compared with old art forms as both are unique and distinct,” said Maharaja Ranjitsingh Gaekwad during a workshop held at Fatehsingh museum in Vadodara on Tuesday. On the last day of 'start with art', a four-day workshop on art for children, Gaekwad interacted with children and taught them different dimensions of art.Gaekwad talked to children about different forms of paintings and designing. It was an overwhelming experience for the children to listen to Gaekwad of Vadodara's royal family and to participate in art activities with him. It was very rare instance when Gaekwad interacted with children and shared words with them.He advised children to remain focussed and use imagination to make their piece of art distinct and creative. “Children are best learners. They are so innocent and receptive that anything can be taught to them easily. Though art demands creativity, with correct direction one can cultivate it. Today, when I am working with children in this workshop, I can sense the talent and learning instinct in this future generation. They are very talented but efforts and initiatives should be taken by someone to nurture their talents.”Gaekwad also shared the art of using traditional tools in drawings and paintings with children. He showed a 500-year-old painting drawn with brick and charcoal. “Art has no boundary. When colours were not there, artists used charcoal and brick to make drawings and paintings. But now with the invention of modern technology, art has got a modernised touch. Use of modern techniques in traditional art can reform the artistic value of the art piece.”It was a great experience for the children in Vadodara who participated in the art workshop. Children followed their imagination and also the directions by Gaekwad and made different drawings.