Enjoys 102 ‘Guru-Shishya’ scholarships
Basoli is now a child of 50 years’ age. The movement started in 1975 has data of child artists which nobody in the world has as of now. “It is a museum without walls”, as the founder and patron of Basoli Child Artists Group Chandrakant Channe says.
Chandrakant Channe, groomed at renowned institutions like Shantiniketan and Faculty of Fine Arts Baroda today has cultivated over 1.75 lakh children. The number may be a world record, which Channe never bothered to register.
Channe visited a hilly station called ‘Basoli’ in Himachal Pradesh to study the expression of children and then came to Nagpur and started working with children as an Arts Teacher with Pt Bachharaj Vyas Vidyalaya. During summer several children of mill workers and from slums in Nagpur he started engaging them in art of any form they wish. This was a part of his studyand also an engagement for the children who were likely to fall victim to unlawful activities as schools had vacations and their parents were working.
Born in Chimur town of Chandrapur district, Chandrakant Channe was called by a psychology teacher Dr Padmakar Pandharipande and handed over a child suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Abhay Puranik was his first challenge to Channe who was engaging the children from a slum in Nagpur. Abhay started painting despite his physical and mental inabilities. He painted what he called ‘his own picture as pulling flush chain in a toilet using his ‘shendi’ (Tuft or length of hair on head). The painting won an international award.
Dr Pandharipande told Channe that Abhay is a different kind of child and when he stops painting or getting awards, he would start his own journey in life. Surprised by his remarks, Channe said that Abhay grew as an officer working with the Customs Department. He is still associated with the Basoli Group.
Renowned neurologist from Nagpur Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram, who was awarded Padma Shri recently, referred a few children who were entertained by Channe. Dr Meshram’s children were also members of the Basoli Group.
Channe completed his doctoral research from Shantiniketan, which he had forgotten on being involved in activities of the Basoli group. By studying the expression of children he says ‘the children enriched my understanding of the art of painting’. Those who crossed the age of 16 worked with him as volunteers in various camps. The camps were not restricted to paintings only, but extended to music, science, drama and various other forms of art. The best part of the camps was the participants were allowed to do whatever they wish to do and at any hour of time. They were allowed to plan, write scripts, practice and perform without any hindrance.
Started in 1975 Basoli is completing 50 years of successful and flourishing existence. The existence succeeded because of financial and other support by the society. Basoli does not get any support from the government. It is Dr Chandrakant Channe’s work, goodwill and efforts that generate funds for all activities.
‘BAGGAN’
Basoli’s emblem drawn by Abhay Puranik earned its name almost after 20 years of its establishment. The name was coined by children from Khamgaon during a camp. The name may appear meaningless, but was framed by children and is a concise form of Basoli Group Nagpur.
The drawing by Abhay Puranik, which won a Gold Medal as a part of an international painting competition conducted to mark the Seoul Olympic Games. Chandrakant Channe adopted the drawing as its emblem. Even the mementos which he presented to a large number of people associated with Basoli represent Baggan.
BLUE AND CAMLIN
Rajani Dandekar, Chief of Marketing Department of Camlin, a big name in producing items related to drawing, painting and similar art was first to donate colours and brushes to Basoli, when Chandrakant Channe wanted to conduct a camp.
Dandekar despatched a big carton of colour crayons and colour boxes, bottles and other containers. The parcel Channe received was much bigger than he expected. However, he was shocked after opening the carton. It had only blue colour paints of various shades.
It was a test for Channe. He only purchased black and white colours to further develop different shades and for background. The first major camp was in only one colour ‘Blue’.
To mark the 50 years of Basoli, Channe has named the event ‘Basoli Chi Nilai’ (Basoli’s Blue), as a tribute to Rajani Dandekar, who passed away in 2022. Camlin continued to support Basoli for several years.
102 ‘Guru-Shishya’ scholarships
Basoli and Chandrakant Channe holds a distinction in earning scholarships for 102 members as child artists. The scholarships are given by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), New Delhi. Besides the talented students the teacher is also given honorarium under the ‘Guru-Shishya’ scheme.
The scholarships are extended to children who excelled at national and international levels.
As many as 102 children who were groomed under the tutelage of Chandrakant Channe were selected for the scholarship. Many of them also won awards at various international competitions. Even after five decades most of them have association with their Guru Chandrakant Channe.
EVENTS IN 50TH YEAR
As an inaugural event Basoli is holding a programme on May 19. ChandrakantChanne wishes to organise programmes similar to those held during different camps. On the inaugural programme 50 prominent persons associated with Basoli for several years will be honoured.
Every month a mega project will be held throughout the year.
