Ronita Torcato
The Circular Gallery at Mumbai’s Nehru Centre showcased the artistic talent of underprivileged youngsters from the National Society for Clean Cities India (NSCCI) on the occasion of the not for profit organisation’s golden jubilee.
Titled Kaleidoscope Kids, the exhibition comprised artworks of flowers, birds, mythological themes and world events and was inaugurated by Dr Pheroza Godrej. The artworks on display included two by outstanding artists : six-year-old Ayaat Khan, who topped honours at the reputed Camlin India art event in September, and 19-year-old Vikrant Sahani, prizewinner at an international art event.
The exhibition is an activity of Supriya Pathak’s popular Art Class at NSCCI whose alumni have competed at local, national and international levels and have won prizes which can be viewed at the Kherwadi Centre of the NGO founded in 1972 by Begum Zehra Ali Yavar Jung, the wife of the then Governor of Maharashtra, Nawab Ali Yavar Jung.
Deeply concerned with the living conditions of the under privileged Begum Jung mobilised support from titans like JRD Tata (who became Patron of the organization), Keshub Mahindra, Soli Godrej, Jamshed Bhabha, Dr Syedna Burhanuddin Saheb, Bombay Municipal Corporation officials and several other citizens. It was her firm belief that in order to achieve positive results, one had to start by educating children to be eco-conscious and responsible young citizens residing in clean environs. The Children’s Complex at Kherwadi is the outcome of her endeavours.
In keeping with her vision, the NGO nurtures pre-primary toddlers in fostering a deep and enduring commitment to the environment. Accordingly, NSCCI runs a pre-school program for 350 children between the ages of 3 and 5 years. Many older children from nearby schools also attend their NGO’s remedial classes and vocational courses.
The Balwadi children and older kids learn art, dance, the tabla and computers. The Computer Centre trains young girls from the community in Government approved courses and Certificate courses in MS-CIT, Tally ERP9, computer typing and Web Designing. Municipal school children are taught the Computer Basic Course free of cost.
NSCCI also offers Government Diploma and Certificate courses in Tailoring, Fashion Designing, Beauty Culture, mehendi, and crochet and helps the students find employment or become self-employed.
Hasina Khan, NSCCI President is justifiably proud of children who have been recipients of more than 3,700 art prizes at the local, national and international levels.” It was heartwarming for them to see their paintings on display and receive accolades”. Many of those who exhibited, studied at the JJ School of Arts and some are now gainfully employed as Art Teachers.
During the exhibition, the gallery held live demonstrations of the little Picassos at work while visitors watched or purchased the artworks on sale alongwith handcrafted diyas, cards and kettles embellished with Warli art.
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