Painting a Brighter road forward- by Raj Bhandare

Artist : Raj Bhandare at studio : Photo copyright : Prany Mane

Nearly 60!children between 8 and 16 years, led by Artist Raj Bhandare, mixed colours to the right consistency and painted a network of squares on the road below the Panaji Church Square from 9PM-12AM on Friday. The Times of India's road painting event in Panaji under the Goa for kids initiative was flagged off by Panaji MLA Siddharth Kuncolienkar.

Panaji: Artist Raj Bhandare's every move was watched intently as he mixed colours to the right consistency and drew a network of squares on the road below the Panaji Church square from 9PM on Friday.

That was probably the only few minutes the nearly 60 children- that registered for the Times of India's road painting event in Panaji under the Goa for Kids initiative - sat still.

Kids working at Road as canvas- Goa for Kids- Times of India

No sooner Bhandare signaled that the children could grab the amount of paint they  wanted to first sketch with black and then fill in the colours to their liking in one of the demarcated squares of their choice and size, there was no stopping the children or their creativity that thus flowed.

Fighting off their cycle of sleep -from 9pm till 12 midnight - the children aged 8 to 16, grabbed every colour of their choice, brush and roller available and, to the surprise of the thick crowd of curious onlookers, did not stop till their masterpiece was finished to their satisfaction. Some went on until they were coaxed to put the brush down when the clock struck 12.

Panjim Church- Goa

Bhandare was on his toes, moving from from square to square with advice, appreciation and valuable tips, to inspire art works that not just impressed but stunned its viewers.

When Panaji MLA Siddharth Kuncalienker entered to mark the event open, he was not to leave without joining the children in adding a patch of his own artwork to the colourful chessboard of original paintings.

Raj Bhandare with Kids - Goa for Kids- Times of India

"I think it's great to have a canvas on the road where the otherwise hustle-bustle is converted to something so creative and amazing in front of our good old Panaji Church. It's a memory that will last the kids for a lifetime," said one parent Cheryl Saldanha, a resident of Caranzalem.

Children from various ends of Goa were attracted to participate in the event.

Thirteen year old Bicholim resident Supriti Thomas was one such participant who was not stopped by the distance or the time of event from being a part of it. "It was a very unique experience. Right from rushing to collect the different colours of paints to painting our hearts out on the floor, we had a lot of fun. I want more events like these," she said. "It was an activity with a twist. The spirit of togetherness prevailing with no competitive spirit, very much enjoyed by kids and parents alike," said a parent Sharmila Mascarenhas from Porvorim.

TNN | May 17, 2015, 02.00 AM IST  Sunday Times( Times of Inida- Goa) Times city