Art & craft courses gaining popularity among youth

Vikas Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, September 22

Unlike a few years ago when taking coaching to crack medical, engineering or banking entrances were the only limited options available, art and craft courses are now gaining popularity among students in Jammu.

Interestingly, not just students from arts stream but commerce and science too have taken admission to pursue certificate or diploma courses to hone their creative skills.

“I am a commerce graduate, but since childhood I was interested in painting. At the school level, I always participated in various competitions and won prizes. Earlier, my ambition was to pursue a degree in fashion designing knowing that I was good in art and craft,” Shivali, a student of Buddha Art Gallery in Gandhi Nagar, told The Tribune.

“After I shifted to Jammu, I was searching for an institute to hone my creative skills. Now, I am an art and craft teacher in a private school for the past 10 months,” she added.

“The advantage we have today is the family support to make a career in art and craft. Parents too have realised that every child has different talent and there is a need to encourage him/her to excel in that field,” said Priya Sharma and Soniya Kumari, students of the Government College for Women, Parade.

“Many of our seniors after completing their diploma or certificate courses are now doing jobs in schools and colleges as art teachers. Some of them, after gaining experience, are even trying their luck outside J&K in big institutes (both government and private),” said Anjali Thakur, another student.

“Now, there is a lot of awareness about art and craft. Students not only from Jammu but from other districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Kishtwar and Ramban, etc are working as art teachers in various schools,” said Sanjogita Dogra, owner, Buddha Art Gallery.

“Art and craft has come a long way, giving ample opportunities to the youth to exhibit their creative talent,” she added.