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The annual Harmony Art Show is one of the most awaited events of the year, in Mumbai. For the past decade, it has provided a platform to aspiring as well as established artists from all over the country. This year, on display were works by stalwarts such as Raza and Akbar Padamsee, together with the creative efforts of the tiny hands of children from Pratham.
Preparations began well in advance, with art workshops for kids in Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, Mumbai and Pune. Needless to say, it was literally a riot of colours with children painting a variety of hues and shades on their canvasses as well as their faces! Ganpati's, children playing, flowers, animals and abstracts – the themes were each lovelier than the next.
When the big day of the inauguration finally dawned, the little ones from Dharavi, Parel and Worli in Mumbai put on their Sunday best and came with bright smiles and eager faces to see 'the badaa show jisme meri painting hai!' Their faces shone with excitement and their toothy grins could barely contain their enthusiasm. With Shalini didi in the lead, they walked patiently through the exhibit, stopping to appreciate something that caught their fancy or whisper a comment into a friend’s ear. And when they finally reached their own creations, they were bursting with pride!
Slowly and shyly, the children answered Ms. Tina Ambani's questions when she dropped by to admire their works and chat with them. Happily, they all managed to chorus a big thank-you when she gave each one of them a delightful painting set of their own to take home! And then it was time for the 'Big Surprise!' Ms. Ambani had invited Mr. Amitabh Bachchan to meet all the children from Pratham and Aseema (another NGO present). This was truly the icing on the cake! Beaming faces and radiant smiles greeted the Big B as he spoke to all the kids and lauded the efforts of each and every child present. The minutes flew by, and the children could not get enough of him as everyone wanted to stand next to him for the photograph!
Finally, when he had to leave, the children settled down to tuck into their goody boxes. As Pramila tai said ‘they are going to remember this day for a long, long time to come…’
The Harmony Show was a wonderful experience for all the children and teachers of Pratham, helping us to keep our little children smiling! As they always should be.
(Tanya Pratap)
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