The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Children showcase their flair for art

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Monday, Mar 31, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Children showcase their flair for art

Staff Reporter

Students of fashion designing conduct workshop for differently abled children

Set of apparel, accessories likely to be out in May
Workshops on design for special children planned

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

Creative range: Some of the works of differently abled children on display at the WLC College on Sunday.

CHENNAI: Vibrant collages, elegant pencil sketches and experimental dress designs produced by students of the St. Louis School for the Deaf, Adyar, and Clarke’s School for the Specially Abled Children, Mylapore, were on display at the WLC College in Alwarpet on Sunday.

The exhibition marks a milestone in the journey of two students towards a meaningful design collection.

Titled ‘Thandavam’, Radhika Ganesh and Shwetha Raju, students of fashion designing, hope to bring out this set of apparel and accessories that would be inspired by all things Tamil in May. They also would like to raise awareness of the abilities of the hearing and speech impaired by conducting workshops on design for special children.

On Saturday and Sunday, students from the two institutions played around with the elements of design, tribal art motifs and experimental designs. Ms. Ganesh is eloquent with praise: “These children are very visually oriented and have a flair for art.” The workshops would also give students a glimpse of a possible career option from Classes IX and above, Ms. Raju added.

At the college on Sunday evening, students with and without hearing aids were being instructed with signs from their teacher. Paint-smudged fingers and excited faces hovered over brightly-coloured paintings. “Since they cannot hear or talk, they are less likely to be distracted,” a student said, while two children behind her carried out an animated conversation in sign language.

The project has been sponsored by the College. “Creativity requires independence and we are glad to encourage it,” P. Kesavdass, WLC Centre Head, said.

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