Many city schools in Bangalore are putting up replicas of fine art pieces to give children the feel of a top-notch museum

Updated on: Saturday, August 10, 2013

Picasso, Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Nandlal Bose, MF Husain and Jamini Roy. Only a world-class museum can bring these great artists together. But many city schools here are doing it differently.

Corridors double as art studios and galleries and schools are putting up replicas of fine art pieces. The idea is to give children the feel of a top-notch museum and made possible by an art education programme called ArtVantage by city-based Jennard Galleries.

"Art has always been part of our curriculum and we ensured students are exposed to various art forms from across the world. But we've been doing it in the classroom. Now, we have replicas of works by 12 western masters on our corridors which children use everyday," said KV Arjun Rao, principal, Oakridge International School.

Chrysalis High has opted for Indian masters to inaugurate their museum. "In India, we haven't been giving children exposure to art. It's always considered an accessory to the curriculum. Apart from stimulating their creativity, we're also expect some kids to be sufficiently inspired to pursue a career in art," said Sawaldas Jethani, trustee, Chrysalis High.

The school will organize a parents' appreciation programme where children will take parents through the museum. "Today's parents are too stuck with engineering and medicine as career options. Kids talking to them about the art works and taking them through it will help parents think out of the box," said Jethani.

According to Sarojini Rao, principal, Indus International School, it's liberal art that shapes the mind and bringing the feel of a museum to the school will help children in many ways. "Apart from knowing more about various art forms and artists, it'll also help students strike a spiritual and emotional balance. The world is going too much towards science and maths," said Sarojini.

The brainchild of IT professional Narendra Desirazu, Jennard Gallery sources reproductions from reliable persons across the world. "Apart from displaying art work, we also provide a museum-style plaque that gives the history of the artist and describes the work. Bangalore is rich in art and we wanted the younger generation to experience it," said Narendra.

Many city schools in Bangalore are putting up replicas of fine art pieces to give children the feel of a top-notch museum

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