Sky’s the limit: Village lass realises Kalotsava goal

Shilpa P | NT

Bengaluru: The fact that she is from a remote village is no hurdle for this farmer’s daughter, who has scaled new heights in her chosen field and has been selected for the national level Kalotsava which will be organised by the Union education ministry in January next year.

Bhavya, a class 9 student of a government high school in Gollana Beedu Sargur in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district is elated after bagging the honour. She had also come first in the state level Kalotsava hosted by the Union ministry of Education.

Bhavya had come up with the Mask of Somana Kunitha (a folk dance form) in 3D visual art section, in the state contest which was held virtually owing to the pandemic, for students of class 9-12. She is the second daughter of farmers Siddappa and Gowramma from Shindenahalli village of HD Kote. Sharing her excitement with News Trail, Bhavya said, “I am happy that it is not just my teachers, school, and parents, my entire village is proud of me. I urge all students everywhere to utilize the opportunities and put in their best effort,” she said.

Bhavya is thankful to her art teacher, Sangeetha K, who had gone from Mysuru to the homes of students in remote villages during the pandemic last year and had nurtured their talent teaching them traditional, indigenous and folk art forms. She had prepared six students for the Kalotsava, and one of them, Chandana won the second prize at the national level for her Channapatna dolls made of dry bottle guard in the indigenous art category. For this. Chandana was honoured with “Bala Gaurava award” by the state women and child development department.

Ms Sangeetha teaches traditional art forms to her students, including Madhubani, Warli painting, patch work, puppet making, Pattachitra of Odisha and Chikankari art. Speaking to News Trail, she said, “I am trying to nurture talent among rural children and encouraging them to make the best of available opportunities.” She has even come up with an art gallery at their school in GB Kuppe village to exhibit the art work of her students.

Inspired by her teacher, Bhavya also wants to become a teacher to encourage rural students nurture their talents.