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        Certainly. it's not the usual painting exhibition one goes to. Both 'Guru', doing his final year painting and 'Sishyai', in her fourth standard, have made it with paint and brush.

        Through vanna chitharalgal, an exhibition, they have organised at Lalit Kala Akademi, the budding artists have been dabbling in several genres and are enamoured.

        Now 'guru' R Rajendran not only shares his being successful in painting domain but also about his 'sishyai', Aharika Baskaran for kindling her artistic talent.

        Born to R Ramaswamy and Addakkammal at Port Blair, Rajendran has been focussing on Indian tradition and culture from a young age.

        He spent his earning by training others.

        'Why I have expressed the pathetic situation of our poor people in many of my paintings is because the viewers are, mostly, the rich. This way. I think, they will understand the misfortune and consequently prepare themselves to help them', he opined.

        Saying that Sewkumar Mandal from Port Blair is his guru, Rajendran has now, himself, become guru to over 100 students of various age groups through his Dessin Arts School in Chennai.

        'My ambition is to start a college for fine arts in the Andamans and Nicobar Islands to provide free training for poor students'. He may be contacted over mobile, 98417 61002.

        Sishyai Aharika Baskaran, a student of Anna Adarsh Matriculation, expressed fondness for the painting brush even when she was in her LKG.

        Busy schedules: to be at exhibitions, receiving gifts and praises, responding to queries from other children about painting, demonstrating it, all this seems to have made her a bit tied. Her mother, Thangamani Baskaran, spoke to News Today about Aharika's inherent skills and talent.

        'Actually her attitude, fortitude along with aplomb relieved me from the sudden demise of my husband', she reminisced, and she broke down a little. Drawing inspiration from her father, she decided to spend more time with colours.

        Now she has been working with three mediums — water colour, oil and acrylic.

        Winning many accolades, she has also shown prowess in elocution, dancing, singing and above all first place in the class.

        'Disseminating useful and social conscious messages through her artistic works is her way, and she is very interested in creating awareness on eradicating child labour and putting an end to it', she said.

        Aspiring to become a cardiologist (her father died of a heart attack), , Aharika's resolve is to explore more in cardiology.

        Thangamani expressed the gratitude to Rajendran for taking special care while training Aharika.

        'All children have artistic talent by birth itself and it's their parents effort and will to recognise and nurture it with a positive approach', she pointed out. She may be contacted over mobile, 98429 27171.

        Recently, cartoonist Madhan inaugurated the exhibition and it will be opened till 2 February between 11 am and 7 pm.