Students of Netarhat Vidyalaya at the exhibition in Morabadi, Ranchi, on Sunday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Netarhat Vidyalaya not only spawns academically brilliant students, but also those with aesthetic bent of mind.

Twenty students of the Latehar school have put up 170 of their paintings and more than a dozen sculptures at an exhibition on Indian Medical Association premises in Morabadi, Ranchi. The two-day show, which ended on Sunday, was organised by the school as a part of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations

“This is the first time that we ventured outside campus. The aim was to give students some exposure and an opportunity to interact with the outside world,” said Narendra Bhagat, chairman of the executive council of the school.

Students of Classes VII to X have taken part in the exhibition. Their confident brushstrokes and sense of colour and concept have earned them laurels from art lovers.

The themes chosen spoke volumes for their maturity and understanding.

While some sketched a portrait or took inspiration from mundane stuff, others have highlighted various complexities of life. What is more stunning is that all these budding artists have sound understanding of art. They don’t merely paint, but know what impressionist painting and post-modern art are.

For instance, tenth grader Ankit has tried to portray a man who is caught up between livelihood and passion.

“I have tried to emulate Pablo Picasso’s famous Three Musicians. My work shows how a person is forced to sacrifice his passion for livelihood,” said Ankit.

The painting also tells a lot about the artist. So when asked whether he would take up painting as a career, the tenth grader said, “I have a passion for painting and would like to pursue it.”

Chairman of school executive council Bhagat admitted that fine arts as career barely found takers because there was always pressure to earn a fat salary.

“Our boys are extremely talented and the school hones their skills. But most of our students come from very humble backgrounds and getting a job is their top priority. The school has plans to help students pursue a career in fine arts,” he added.

The paintings and sculptures that are on display are also up for sale. The prices range from Rs 51 to Rs 65,000. So far, a few paintings, whose total worth was Rs 10,000, have been sold.

“A student will get 80 per cent of the money while 20 per cent will be donated to the school development fund,” said Acharya Rajendra Prasad Gupta, the head of Netarhat Vidyalaya fine arts department.