Social evils come alive on canvas

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 8

In a bid to sensitise society and break taboos, a state-level awareness seminar and art exhibition was organised to commemorate “World Child Labour Day” at the Guru Nanak Bhawan on Friday.

The exhibition showcased paintings which highlighted myriad of issues ailing Indian society, including female foeticide, rape, drugs, aids, dowry, child labour, environment degradation, etc.

Female foeticide

Amar Singh illustrated notorious mindset of people who abort girls for the want of a male child. Singh depicted heaps of infant bodies in a pool of blood dumped outside a hospital. A pregnant woman stands tall amidst the carcass with one hand on womb and another on the child who is lurking under shelter of a mother.

Singh said, “This illustration is based on a female foeticides committed two years ago in India. A pregnant woman is protecting her womb from the dagger coming out from the window of a hospital involved in illegal abortions.”

Singh is a professional artist and won the first prize of Rs 3,100.

Acid attack

Singh in another painting presented misery of a beautiful girl whose one-sided lover disfigured her face by spilling acid. He said, “The ones who commit such heinous acts are the ones with corrosive minds.”

Empower girl child

“Let the girls fulfil their dreams, give them books, not husbands” – read a painting of another professional artist named Sophia.

She subtly painted contrasted feet of a girl child, one with a school shoe and another embellished with anklet (a sign of marriage). She said, “Young girls should fulfil their dreams and not marry under the pressure of society or family. Neither do the girls belong to kitchens and nor marriage will decide their fate.”

In a similar context, a fearless woman was shown climbing stairs of countless aspirations. The illustration hinted that women of today’s era have set their foot in every sphere, be it business, journalism, games, politics, academia or economist. Sophiya was awarded second prize for her Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao portrait.

Gurleen Kaur of Guru Nanak International School depicted how society does more harm to a girl when it silence her pain.

Kaur said, “We should not keep quiet rather speak up for the wrong actions. Girls are made to believe that silence is good for them not releasing that it harms them more And inflict permanent scar on their minds.” Kaur stood first in school category.

Child labour

With slogans such as “make me study, not work”, “child is meant to learn not earn”, “relieve us from tools, we want to go to schools” – the paintings apparently begged for an end to child labour.

Sukhdir Sekhon, president of Navchetna Bal Bhalai Committee said, “This is the first time we have organised an art exhibition at the state level. This was an effort to sensitise every one of social evils prevalent in Indian society. An artist never lies and through the painting one can deduce the sincerity of all theparticipants.”

Play highlights robust family bond

With family size shrinking, the values of a joint family are also dwindling. In an attempt to fill the void, a play on bridging gap was enacted. The play, sending a message of a strong family bond to the audience, showcased mistrust between two brothers. Younger brother Ramesh, who is believed to have deceived his elder brother, however, helps him in the end.