Dozens of hands were busy in crafting different kinds of base structures for ‘Ganesh’ like snakes with raising hoods, fully bloomed lotus, tortoise, swan, rat and plank. Once the base was done, students shifted their focus to designing big bellies, lengthy trunks and large ears.
The much-awaited day has finally arrived for the students of Gayatri Vidya Parishad MLBT School to let their imagination run wild at the clay-moulding workshop organised ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi here on Wednesday.
As some were seen assisting the little ones by fetching water to mix the clay, another group engrossed themselves in giving the finishing touches to the figurines by attaching plates of ‘laddoos’, crowns in different shapes and tiny pots of tender stems.
Promoting the concept of using conventional clay models of ‘Ganesh’, the annual feature witnessed a sizeable participation this year. “The session helps inculcate a sense of responsibility among children by encouraging them to follow traditional concepts of festival that do not affect the environment. Moreover, the open-air activity allows them to be themselves and think beyond classroom and books,” says school Principal K. Madhuravani.
Participants used dried leaves and small sticks to add innovativeness to the idols. “It gives us immense pleasure to play with clay. The platform helps us to bring out our thoughts in different formats and brace teamwork,” says Sravani, a Class X student.
Drawing master of A.V.N. College and High School Ch. Mohan Rao, who donned the role of a trainer at the workshop, was paying keen attention to every detail. “The only way to bring out their creative best is by giving the participants enough space and freedom and also appreciate them when they come up with novel ideas,” he said.
Regional General Manager of The Hindu T.V. Suresh and school’s coordinator D. Dakshinamurthy, who graced the event, appreciated the creative skills of the students.
