DWARKA’S YOUNG ARTISTS READY FOR BIGGEST PAINTING COMPETITION

The 2026 edition will be held on January 26 at 2.30 pm and is open to children aged 3 to 14 years, divided into three age groups: 3–6 years, 7–10 years and 11–14 years, along with a special open category. Topics will be announced on the spot to encourage originality and spontaneous thinking. While drawing sheets will be provided, participants are required to bring their own colouring materials such as crayons, pencil colours, postercolours or sketch pens. Speaking about the essence of the event, Sudha Sinha, Managing Editor, Dwarka City and organiser, said,  “Republic Day is not just about remembering history; it is about imagining the future. Children do this most
naturally through art. When they paint, there are no limitations - only ideas, emotions and dreams. Their drawings reflect the India they believe in - hopeful, united and full of possibilities.” Young participants are already brimming with excitement. “Drawing the tricolour makes me feel proud of my country,” said five year old Vihaan, who has been eagerly counting the days to take part in the competition. Sharing her thoughts, twelve year old Ananya said, “Even if the topic is a surprise, I want my painting to show an India that is clean, green and full of happiness. I practise every day so that I can give my best on Republic Day.”
“I like drawing on Republic Day because I can show what India means to me,” said ten year old Kabir. “I want my picture to show people helping each other and living happily together.” The artwork will be assessed by a panel of well-known and experienced artists. While the emphasis remains on participation and creative expression, attractive prizes will be awarded to winners in each category, ensuring encouragement for every budding artist. The chief guests on the occasion will be Ankit Kumar Singh, DCP Dwarka and Padma Shri awardee Biman Bihari Das, a distinguished sculptor, former Principal of the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata and President of the All India Fine Arts and Craft Society, New Delhi. The painting competition will be judged by an eminent panel of artists and educators from across the country. The jury includes Maninder Maan, a seasoned art educator and Art & Design Facilitator at Kunskapsskolan International School, Gurugram, known for his focus on personalised learning and creative expression;  Chand Kumar Doliya, a contemporary visual artist and painter associated with the Delhi Education Department, acclaimed for his concept-driven and award-winning artworks; Jeevan, a professional sculptor and creative entrepreneur specialising in 3D murals, fibre and metal installations and contemporary sculptural practices; Shikha Gupta, a renowned painter popularly known as “The Storyteller,” whose works blend abstraction and narrative and have been exhibited widely in India and abroad; Gaurav Bhatia, a Delhi-based visual artist and internationally recognised tattoo artist with record-setting achievements and extensive teaching experience; and Roop Chand, an award-winning contemporary painter, art educator and cultural ambassador, celebrated for his large-scale artworks and socially driven art initiatives in India and internationally. Expressing his enthusiasm, Mukesh Sinha, Managing Editor, Dwarka City and convenor of the event, said,  “The response from the community has been overwhelming. We receive enquiries daily from parents and children, which shows how deeply this initiative connects with people. Providing children a platform to expressing themselves while celebrating the nation is immensely fulfilling. We invite young artists from across Dwarka to join us and make this Republic Day a truly colourful celebration. Participation is completely free.” The countdown has already begun for many. “I can’t wait to see everyone’s drawings,” said six-year-old Krisha, proudly holding her new box of crayons. So childre start practicing! As the tricolour rises high this Republic Day, Dwarka’s youngest citizens stand ready to paint the nation’s hopes - one joyful stroke, one bright colour and one innocent dream at a time.

Dr. Vijay Bhola, a General Physician and Critical Care Specialist with over 15 years of experience, holds distinguished qualifications including MD (Physician), DNB (Medicine -Theory), Fellowship in Intensive Care Medicine from Apollo and MD in Anesthesia & Critical Care from Mumbai. He has served with leading hospitals such as Fortis, Apollo, and CK Birla and is the founder of Maple Care Hospital. Dr. Bhola expressed that he is happy and privileged to participate in the Dwarka City Painting Competition on the occasion of Republic Day as the Guest of Honour. He appreciated the initiative for encouraging creativity, discipline and patriotic values among children and lauded Dwarka City for consistently organising meaningful community-oriented events that inspire young minds and strengthen social responsibility.

Here are profile of few more judges- 
MANINDER MAAN- is an educator with over 15 years of experience in fine arts and art education. Deeply passionate about both creative practice and teaching, he brings a strong foundation in traditional and contemporary art forms, while continually exploring diverse styles, media and techniques. He currently serves as an Art & Design Facilitator at Kunskapsskolan International School, Sector 70-A, Gurugram, where his teaching is aligned with the KED values and the KED Pedagogical Approach. With a strong focus on personalised learning, he designs differentiated strategies that address the unique abilities and interests of each student, enabling meaningful self-expression through the arts. In addition to his role as an art educator, Maninder Maan also serves as the University Guidance Counselor for the Kunskapsskolan International School, Sector 70A. In this capacity, he mentors students through their higher education journeys, helping them identify suitable academic pathways by aligning their passions, strengths and long-term career aspirations. With a commitment to holistic education, he continues to contribute to the academic community as both a mentor and lifelong learner, dedicated to nurturing creativity, critical thinking and overall student development.

CHAND KUMAR DOLIYA- is a contemporary visual artist and painter based in Delhi, presently associated with the Delhi Education Department. He is known for his concept-driven paintings that explore themes of illusion, spatial perception and psychological narratives. His layered compositions encourage viewers to rethink the relationship between reality and imagination, reflecting depth, introspection and conceptual clarity. Doliya completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from Jamia Millia Islamia University in 2010 and went on to earn his Master of Fine Arts from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in 2013. His academic background has been instrumental in shaping his distinctive visual language. He has received several notable recognitions, including the National Gandhi Museum Recognition (2023) and the Prafulla Dahanukar Art Foundation Award (2019). His work was also acknowledged by AIFACS, New Delhi early in his career. A significant milestone was his solo exhibition at the Lalit Kala Akademi in 2017. He has since participated in major national and international group exhibitions, including at the M.F. Husain Gallery, India Habitat Centre, India Art Festival and Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center, Thailand, while actively engaging in art camps and collaborative platforms.

ROOP CHAND- is a renowned contemporary Indian painter, art educator and cultural ambassador with nearly three decades of contribution to the visual arts. Born on June 1, 1975, he is the Managing Director of Roop Chand Institute of Fine Art (RCIFA), New Delhi and is widely respected for integrating artistic excellence with social responsibility. He holds a Master’s degree in Fine Art (Painting) from R.M.T. University, Madhya Pradesh, along with multiple diplomas in Fine Art and Commercial Art from Sarada Ukil School of Arts, Delhi, where he topped his batch. He also trained under eminent artist Rameshwar Broota at Triveni Kala Sangam. A recipient of over 50 national and international awards, his honours include the President of India Award (2007), National Awards by AIFACS, Rotary Kala Vibhushan Samman and the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan National Award, along with recognitions from Europe and beyond. He has held numerous solo exhibitions in India and abroad and created monumental artworks on themes of peace, environment, humanity and social harmony. Deeply committed to social causes, Roop Chand uses art as a powerful tool for awareness, public engagement and global cultural dialogue.

GAURAV BHATIA- is a Delhi-based visual artist and internationally recognised tattoo artist known for seamlessly blending fine art, graphic practices and tattoo artistry. Born on August 6, 1985, his creative journey spans over two decades, marked by artistic innovation, teaching and record-breaking achievements. An alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia University, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Painting in 2008 and a Master’s degree in Graphic Art in 2010. He also pursued a professional course from the Delhi College of Art, strengthening his academic foundation. His artistic language has been shaped through early training and workshops with eminent national and international artists. Gaurav has participated in numerous group exhibitions at prestigious venues including Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhawan, AIFACS, M.F. Husain Art Gallery and Dhoomimal Art Gallery and has taken part in several art camps across India. Alongside his fine art practice, he has worked as a tattoo artist and instructor for over 14 years. In 2023, he earned recognition from Harvard World Records, Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records for creating freehand tattoos without stencils. Based in Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, he continues to push creative boundaries across disciplines.

SHIKHA GUPTA- is a prominent contemporary Indian painter whose artworks seamlessly blend abstraction with reality, creating visually poetic narratives rich in emotion and symbolism. Known in art circles as “The Storyteller,” her paintings are marked by dream-like fluidity, lyrical expression and narrative depth, often portraying metamorphic forms where nature and human figures merge into a single visual rhythm. Deeply inclined towards art from an early age, she pursued formal training in fine arts with specialisation in painting.Over the years, her artistic journey has evolved into a successful professional practice encompassing exhibitions, international art travel and collaborations with global galleries and curators. Working primarily in oil and acrylic, her art draws inspiration from her surroundings and the diverse cultures she has encountered during her travels. Her works have been showcased worldwide, including London, Paris, Venice, Berlin, Japan, Greece, Dubai and Bangkok, with exhibitions at prestigious venues such as Lalit Kala Akademi and India Habitat Centre. Recipient of several honours, including the Dr. Sarojini Naidu National Award for Women, Shikha Gupta, Founder of the Jangle Killol Foundation, is based in Delhi and represents the evolving voice of contemporary Indian women artists on the global stage.

JEEVAN is a professional sculptor and creative entrepreneur with a distinctive presence in contemporary sculpture and artistic installations. Specialising in 3D murals, fibre sculptures, metal artworks and customised installations, he seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities. An alumnus of the College of Art, Delhi University, he completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (2015–2019) and later earned a Master of Fine Arts from Jamia Millia Islamia University (2020–2022). His strong academic foundation and extensive studio practice allow him to work confidently across diverse mediums with precision and innovation. Jeevan’s professional journey spans commercial sculpture projects, independent studio practice and art education. He has served as a faculty member teaching clay modelling and mould casting at institutions such as DIET College and Arena Institute, and has been associated with reputed studios including Delhi Sculpture Studio. Founder of JK Versatile Art and Craft, he actively collaborates with architects, interior designers and private clients to create bespoke artworks for residential, commercial and public spaces. Based in Delhi, Jeevan continues to push creative boundaries, contributing meaningfully to India’s evolving contemporary art landscape.

MUKESH KUMAR- (born October 20, 1965, Gurgaon, Haryana) is a noted contemporary Indian painter with over three decades of dedicated artistic practice. He holds a Bachelor’s degree (1992) and a Master’s degree (1994) in Fine Arts (Painting) from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, where his formal training laid a strong foundation for his creative journey. Actively exhibiting since the early 1990s, he has participated in numerous prestigious group exhibitions organised by institutions such as Lalit Kala Akademi, Sahitya Kala Parishad, AIFACS and India Habitat Centre. His works have been showcased at prominent galleries including Dhoomimal Art Gallery, Vadhera Art Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, Travancore Art Gallery and the Visual Art Gallery at India Habitat Centre. Mukesh Kumar has also taken part in artists’ camps and workshops organised by national and international cultural bodies, contributing to collaborative artistic exchanges. His honours include the First Prize by Sahitya Kala Parishad (1993), the Amarnath Sehgal Award (1994) and a Gold Medal with Patronage Certificate for the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation in India (2001). His works are part of major public and private collections in India and abroad.

SADAF AKHTAR- is a passionate Arabic calligrapher who brings words to life through elegance, rhythm and precision. Deeply devoted to the art of lettering, she continuously refines her craft, creating bespoke calligraphic works that seamlessly blend classical traditions with contemporary expression. Her practice encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional Arabic scripts to modern and experimental lettering, with each composition reflecting discipline, emotion and thoughtful artistic intent. Sadaf’s work has been showcased on prestigious national and international platforms, earning her recognition within the global calligraphy community. Her exhibitions include the Prophet Mohammad International Islamic Calligraphy Art Exhibition and The Miracle of Quran International Calligraphy Art Exhibition in Indonesia, as well as the Golden Brush 6th International Painting Exhibition in Turkey. In India, she has participated in curated exhibitions such as Nirvana and Beyond the Visible organised by RKG Arts and Culture Centre, and Sulekhan Kalapradarshini by The Calligraphy Foundation at IGNCA. Through her refined visual language and dedication to the written word, Sadaf Akhtar continues to establish herself as a distinctive voice in contemporary Arabic calligraphy.