Exploring the creativity of the young
Not only Amlan's, Pinky's or Suman's, there are many magnificent creations by the physically and mentally challenged children and youths which resolve that they are not 'the burden' of the society; rather through proper assistance and sympathy, they can also turn into our precious wealth.
Using flinging colours blended with the imagination, the creations depict their loneliness, social rights, lyrical beauty of Bangladesh, flood, Liberation War and many more. The three-day exhibition has been organised by the National Forum of Organisations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD). With the title 'National Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Competition of Children and Youths with Disabilities' the exhibition is going on at the Nolinikanto Bhattashali gallery of the National Museum.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. To celebrate the World White Cane Safety Day, this venture of NFOWD is the first of its kind , introducing the creative potentialities of children and youth with disabilities at the national level as well as to ensure proper recognition of their skills and talents. Participants for the competition and exhibition were divided into two categories--one with physical, intellectual, hearing and speech disabilities, and the other with visual impairments. The categories are further segregated in three age categories--up to 12 years, 13-18 years, and 18-30 years.
The first category was allowed to participate in the arts while the latter group was allowed for the crafts. 161 pieces of arts and 46 pieces of crafts are being exhibited with a majority of the artworks (numbering 64) done by the physically challenged children and youths. 55 artworks are submitted by the children and youths with the hearing and speech disabilities while 42 came from the intellectually challenged group. Participants from almost 30 organisations like CSID, CRP, Gram Bikash Shasthya Sangstha, High Care from different districts of the country like Dinajpur, Chittagong, Jhenaidah, Manikganj, Tangail, Narsingdi, Satkhira, Savar and Gazipur took part in the exhibition.
An expert panel of judges comprising famous artists Masuma Khan, Naznin Yousuf Nelly, Tarun Ghosh and Kamar Mushtari selected three winners in each category. The prize giving ceremony will be held today at 11:00 am at the Begum Sufia Kamal Autitorium of the National Museum. Today is the last day of the exhibition and will remain open from 9am through 3pm.