“Art can convey what words sometimes cannot”

Apeejay School, Saket, celebrates the outstanding achievement of Ritvik, a class 10 student. He recently participated in the World Vegetarian Awareness Day 2024 poster-making competition organised by the Animal Welfare Society of India. Ritvik’s creativity and dedication earned him a cash prize of Rs 1000 and a Consolation certificate. In an engaging interview, Ritvik shared his thoughts on his artistic process, the significance of art in raising awareness, and his future aspirations. Read edited excerpts:

Congratulations on your achievement, Ritvik! How did you come up with the idea for your poster?

Thank you! The topic was “Go Vegetarian,” so I wanted to highlight the importance of adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. I started by researching websites like UNEP, UNGA, and even visited the Animal Welfare Group’s office to gather ideas. I combined my research with various artistic elements to create a poster that could convey the message clearly. It took me two days to complete, and my teachers were incredibly supportive throughout the process.

How do you think art can help spread awareness on important issues like this?

Art plays a huge role in communication. People may not have the time to read through long articles, but a piece of art can grab their attention instantly and leave a lasting impression. It’s a powerful medium to spread awareness because it engages people visually and emotionally. I’ve always believed that what text may fail to convey, art can express effortlessly.

You’ve been involved in art for several years now. Can you tell us more about your journey?

I’ve been drawing for about 7-8 years, and the lockdown period gave me a lot of time to focus on my artwork. During that time, I created several paintings, landscapes, and portraits. I also enjoy working on animal sculptures. Art has always been a passion, and it continues to be an integral part of my life.

Apart from art, what other activities are you involved in at school?

I’m quite active in various school activities. I participate in science extempore, mathematics competitions, and I’ve even authored a science fiction book titled The Resurrection of Tomorrow, which has over 90,000 words. Our school hosts a range of inter-house competitions, which give students like me the opportunity to showcase our talents.

What are your future goals?

I plan to pursue engineering, specifically in Computer Science or AIML (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning). I’ll be taking the science stream with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) in the coming years. Art will always be a part of me, but my career aspirations are focused on technology and innovation.