5 Days Training-cum-Workshop Program ‘Reaching Young Minds: Visual Artist Paradigms on Art and Representation of Disaster Risk Reduction’
Overview
A unique five-day creative journey, the Training-cum-Workshop Program (TCWP) titled ‘Reaching Young Minds: Visual Artist Paradigms on Art and Representation of Disaster Risk Reduction’ was collaboratively organised by the School of Fine Arts and Design (SOFAD), Noida International University (NIU) and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Held from 5th May to 9th May 2025, this intensive workshop brought together Young Artists, Faculty, Art Critics, and DRR experts to explore how visual arts can be a transformative medium in building disaster/hazards awareness and community resilience.
Event Details
- Event Name: 5 Days Training-cum-Workshop Program on Art & DRR
- Theme: Reaching Young Minds: Visual Artist Paradigms on Art and Representation of Disaster Risk Reduction
- Venue: School of Fine Arts and Design (SOFAD), Noida International University (NIU) Dates: 5th May – 9th May 2025
- Participants:
- 60 Young Visual Artists
- Senior artists
- Resource persons
- Art Curators/Critics, Art Historians, and NIDM experts
- Organisers/Collaboration:
- School of Fine Arts & Design (SOFAD), NIU.
- National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India.
Event Outcome
The program was a convergence of art, Disaster Risk Reduction, and social Awareness. Engaging participants in exploring how artistic expression can communicate complex issues related to disaster risk, community vulnerability, and resilience in a creative and transformative manner.
Day-1 Welcome address
Training Session
Resource Person- Shri Hari Kumar Ji, Dr. Ajinder Walia, Johny M.L, Dr. Arka Prava
Artist- Mr. Jiban Biswas and Mr. Ashis Mandol and Dr. Gyanesh Mishra, Shri Rohit Supkar
Day-2- Padam Bhusham Shri Ram Vir Sutar Mr. Tutu Patnaik presented his sculptural journey to young artists.
Artist- Mr. Jiban Biswas and Mr. Ashis Mandol
The Young Artists continued their paintings
Day-3- The Young Artists continued their paintings and visited the Abhivyakti Annual Exhibition, Art Talk by Lagenry Padm Bhushan Shri Jatin Das.
Day-4 Dr. Gyanesh Mishra presented his artistic journey to young minds and showed art works through PPT presentation facilitated with an Interactive session.
The Young Artists continued their paintings
Day-5- Jury by Distinguished Artists Shri Asit Patnaik and Dr. Gyanesh Mishra, and NIDM Representatives Dr. Ajinder Walia and Ms. Nazia Khan, at SOFAD
- Valedictory Function
- Prize Distribution Ceremony
- Group Photograph
Key outcomes included:
- Hands-on Learning:
- Participants participated in creating artworks to reflect on natural calamities like cyclones, earthquakes, and landslides; transforming their understanding into compelling visual narratives.
- Art as Advocacy: Visual motifs such as:
- Crumbling Homes – Symbolising the fragility of infrastructure
- Boats & Floods – Representing survival and climate impact
- Mountains & Cracks – Reflecting vulnerability and change
- Human Chains – Signifying community resilience
- Roots and Seeds – Echoing regeneration and hope
- Knowledge Integration:
- Presentations by experts on Natural Hazards/Disasters/DRR case studies
- Demonstrations with artistic visualisations
- Interactive sessions between a) Senior Artists and Young Artists, b) Geo-experts and Young Artists, c) Distinguished Artists and Young Artists.
- Collaboration between Art and Disaster Risk Reduction
- Young Artists collaborated with senior and practising artists, resulting in a dynamic exchange of ideas, and narratives focused on climate resilience and preparedness.
- Equipping the Visual Artists with Knowledge of Natural Hazards and Disasters:
- Awareness and Sensitivity: Enhanced understanding of how disasters affect individuals, ecosystems, and infrastructures.
- Creative Communication: Development of strategies to visually express risk, impact, and recovery through art.
- Research and Innovation: Students were encouraged to connect their studio practice with real-world issues, emphasising innovation and problem-solving.
- Team Building: The workshop promoted peer learning and collaboration across disciplines and generations.
Summary
The 5 Days Training-cum-Workshop Program a visionary step toward integrating visual arts into the national level awareness on Art and Disaster Risk Reduction. The initiative not only empowered young artists with tools for social change but also laid the foundation for a growing intersection between creativity, environmental advocacy and Resilience.
The workshop was expected to produce a collective body of sixty artworks by young artists to be exhibited at an upcoming Art Gallery in Central Delhi funded by NIDM, further amplifying the role of creativity and art in shaping public awareness and dialogue around sustainability and disaster resilience.
Through their creative expressions, students emphasized key themes such as the value of mock drills, mutual support, and resilience during crises. Their work also conveyed empathy, compassion, and heartfelt gratitude toward rescue workers and all those who risk their lives to protect both humans and animals in times of disaster.
The first prize winner, Iram Farooqi, conveys through her painting “Hope Within Ruin” that even amidst devastation, the potential for renewal lies within. Inspired by nature’s resilience, it conveys that humans too can overcome adversity and rebuild from within.
The second prize winner, Ranju Kumari, presents her artwork titled “Protagonist of Disaster” where dark hues symbolize the loss caused by natural disasters. A prominently placed rescue cap symbolizes their selfless service in saving lives during disasters.
The third prize winner, Neeraj Bind, explores the theme of resilience in his painting “Self- Preservation” He depicts the human figure as a divine force, intertwined with natural calamities such as tornadoes, drought, and famine. The artwork also draws attention to historical vulnerability, referencing the destruction of the Indus Civilization, and emphasizes the need for strong, disaster-resilient construction.
A total of 60 students from across India participated in the workshop. Iram Farooqi, Ranju Kumari and Neeraj Bind secured first, second, and third place, each receiving a monetary award of INR 200,000, INR 15,000, and INR 10,000. Pushpa Kumari, Shrishti Senwal, Ila Kumari, Rishika Sharma, Sakshi Maheshwari, Sanjay Malo, Shivam Kashyap, and Nilesh Kumar Chauhan were recognized with consolation prizes for their commendable contributions.
Participants left with practical resources, peer connections, and motivation to be more cognizant in future. As one of the students rightly stated, ‘Prepare, Respond, Recover’, aptly suffices rightly in the awareness of Disaster Risk Management.
