Dream for a noble cause

At 10,  when she started etching out caricatures with a streak of individuality, it failed to garner the right amount of support. Gauging the lack of skill development and the empowerment of creativity; eight years later, Aparna Komarla, a city-based youngster decided to venture out with Live to Dream, an initiative to help children living in shelter homes achieve just that.  We talk to the enterprising youngster for more...

“In the summer of 2014, I worked with 25 girls in NELE – a home for destitute girls.  I conducted three workshops for them, of four hours each. For each workshop, I planned to make one craft item. I explained to them the basic structure of the craft item, and how to use the materials. I then asked them to be as creative and unique as could and wanted to be. The passion, curiosity, interest and abilities I saw in them, left me in awe. Most importantly I developed a strong ambition to give opportunities to every disadvantaged child with the interest to learn art a platform to do so,” reveals Aparna, who has conducted workshops with over 150 underprivileged children in the city, and a  14 classes course in Child Fund Association with her team.

While she asserts how important charity has been for her, quite like most 18 year olds, Aparna too loves to have her share of fun. “I like learning about the mind and advocating mental health education. During my free time, I’m either watching movies or painting. Though I haven’t travelled much, I’d love to explore exotic locales in the future” she quips.  

Despite the popular belief that it is the funding that makes an idea work, this zesty youngster believes it’s passion that matters the most. “ Back in June 2014, I displayed a painting in a prestigious gallery in the state. I received a lot of positive feedback and appreciation. While I was taking in all of that, I thought about the workshop I had conducted at NELE. I was able to display my art because I had access to resources; resources that come from economic privileges. I didn’t think that being born into an economically disadvantaged or otherwise disadvantaged family should be the defining factor of anyone’s learning pursuits,” reiterates the alumnus of Delhi Public School, Bengaluru South.

Speaking about what’s next, she signs off by stating, “I’m a regular college goer who harbours an extra ordinary desire to make a difference. Being an artist myself, I believe art is what brings life to the otherwise mundane ways to being. That added with some service, is what makes me smile. I wish to get in touch with government schools in town to advocate the importance of art and also help the needy benefit out of it monetarily.”