Paintings on display at the state-level children’s art exhibition at Jayadev Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 17: Vivid colours filled white canvases as children’s imagination took shape at the 19th state-level children’s art exhibition held at the Jayadev Bhavan in the city on Tuesday.

Not only did the children have fun drawing and painting, they became proud owners of certificates and mementos at award-giving ceremony. The awarded drawings of 280 young artistes were exhibited at the event organised by Orissa Lalit Kala Akademi.

The judges, most of whom were veteran artists, had a tough time choosing the best of the paintings.

This year 1,800 child artists from the 30 districts of the state sent in their entrees. Participants from Nursery to Class X were grouped into four sections based on age.

The theme for the junior and sub-junior level was the different shades and wonders of sunrise. The picturesque landscape of village won appreciation from the visitors. Around 175 children won the hearts of the judges with their imaginative and colourful drawings.

For the seniors, the theme forest life. Both animals and verdant forest vegetation were drawn with vivid colours and had art enthusiasts gaping with wonder.

There was a “jhoti and chita” competition especially for the girls, in which contestants had to illustrate their mastery over this intricate artwork.

Prafulla Samal, tourism and cultural minister, who visited the exhibition, said: “I congratulate all the participants. Students must realise that it is participation that is important and not winning. Orissa Lalit Kala Academy is doing a wonderful job by promoting and encouraging kids from such a tender age.”

Dignitaries from the world of art and sculpture such as Anjan Kumar Sahoo, Sasikant Raut, Narayan Maharana, Sangram Kesari Kar, Adaitya Prasad Behera and Sunil Kumar Das, were the judges.

Higher education, sports and youth affairs minister Badrinarayan Patra, school and mass education minister Pratap Jena, culture secretary Ashok Tripathy, president of Orissa Lalit Kala Academy Durga Prasad Das and secretary of Orissa Lalit Kala Academy, Rabi Narayan Rath were present at the ceremony to give away the coveted certificates to the budding artists.