Go To   Index Page

Tripura's young protest against militancy through their paintings
by Pinaki Das

         Agartala: Young children in Tripura capital Agartala have adopted a unique way of protesting against militancy, especially the bomb blasts - through a painting exhibition. The children, aged between 10 and 15 years, see their imaginative creations as an effective way to challenge the subversive activities of the militants and send out a message of peace and unity among the people. While one painter said that without peace there could no development, another said people should unite against the evil and work for development. All painters said they did not support militancy, as it was a malaise that has left the northeast bleeding for decades. The organizers described the painting exhibition as a new concept in the state. The three-day exhibition attracted a sizeable crowd and most visitors said events such as this should be held more frequently. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, a visitor, said: "See each and every picture depicts society. Maybe it is in the painters' sub-conscious. It is true also in the case of children. They produce them in their way. They draw what they see or what we make them see. Here, there are different types of pictures with vivid bright colours. One thing that I have noticed is that the children have brought out the region in their own way, without thinking. These pictures have spontaneity. Three is nothing what has been pressed upon them and so the pictures are lively, even the elderly people have lot to learn from them. I have enjoyed the exhibition and hope in the future more such takes place."
-Nov 3, 2008