"Art an important medium of expression for children"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2024: Social Welfare Director Ngangom Uttam has underscored the therapeutic impact of art education on traumatized children.

He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the three-day international conference on Art Education and Child Rights held at the auditorium hall of RK Sanatombi Devi College of Education located at North AOC, Imphal East.

The event was graced by Dr Tanom Intarakumnerd, chairman, Surindra Rajabhat University Council and Suan Dusit University Council, Thailand; Professor Gunindro Paonam, Vice-Chancellor, Manipur University of Culture; Ngangom Uttam, Director, Social Welfare Department and Dr Kh Ajit Singh, chairman, Organizing Committee as the presidium members.

Addressing the gathering, Ngangom Uttam pointed out that even though the topic of child rights and human rights are widely discussed, children themselves are neither aware of their rights nor when those rights are violated.

However in cases of rights violation or abuse, children can convey such trauma through art.

Upon visiting the displaced children in relief camps, they were discovered to be deeply traumatized.

Being young, they were unable to put their tragic experiences to words.

But with the help of pencils, crayons and paper they were able to capture the anguish and repressed pain in their hearts on paper, said the Social Welfare Director.

They painted scenes of gunfights, death of a beloved pet dog and pet chickens being incinerated, he recalled.

After drawing such pictures, they finally disclosed their traumatic experiences with a little prodding.

Hence, with the help of art education, children can be made aware of their rights and given a chance to express their feelings, he said.

Drawing the interest of such children in arts such as drawing, dance and music can slowly relieve them of their trauma over time.

This is an excellent form of therapy, said Ngangom Uttam.

He added that the conference was organised to help such distressed children overcome their trauma and sensitize them about their rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tanom Intarakumnerd said that art education helps in the holistic development of children and it is also a tool for children to convey their inner feelings.

While sixty-two individuals participated in the conference, another 30 from various parts of India and Thailand were online participants.

Additionally, many papers were presented on the occasion.

A book titled "Art Education and Child Rights" was also released today.

The conference was jointly organised by the Manipur University of Culture, RK Sanatombi Devi College of Education and Surindra Rajabhat University, Surin, Thailand in collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur.

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