A one-day workshop titled “Sparks of Imagination”, held at Manjari Hall in Bhopal, brought together 45 participants from diverse backgrounds connected to art and education. Organized by Child Rights Observatory, Madhya Pradesh, in collaboration with the Art Design Teachers’ Forum, the workshop saw the enthusiastic participation of art teachers, subject teachers, school principals, students, and homemakers.
The workshop was facilitated by Malavika Rajnarayan, an artist from Baroda affiliated with Azim Premji University and the Azim Premji Foundation. She shared that the aim of the workshop was to reactivate participants’ imaginative capacities and provide them an experience that allowed them to rediscover and freely express their innate creativity.
Unlike conventional art education, which often emphasizes technique and accuracy, this workshop centered around imagination through four unique and engaging activities.
Key Activities of the Workshop
Introduction through Scribbles – Participants began by drawing random lines and scribbles on paper. They then searched for forms and shapes within those lines to create a character—one that may not resemble them but symbolically represents who they are.
Dice and Draw – In this activity, participants crafted their own paper dice, assigning different shapes, symbols, or colors to each side. Taking turns, they rolled the dice and created drawings inspired by whatever came up. This playful approach encouraged spontaneity and creative risk-taking.
Fashion Starts with Me – This popular group activity had participants design wearable costumes using brown paper and newspapers. One member of each group modeled the outfit while others dressed them and shared the creative process. From designer jackets to gowns, skirts, and expressive dresses, the results were impressive and bold. One group even included the message “War Mat Kar Yaar” (Don’t Wage War, My Friend) on their costume.
Sensing Pictures – In the concluding session, participants viewed and responded to a diverse selection of artworks, expanding their perspectives and visual thinking through collective reflection and discussion.
The workshop proved to be an inspiring experience not only for art educators but also for teachers from other disciplines and individuals from non-professional backgrounds. It reaffirmed that imagination is not confined to any one field—it is a vital part of all learning and expression.
At the end of the session, participants shared their reflections and emphasized the urgent need to cultivate imaginative thinking across all areas of education. All participants were awarded certificates of participation.
