Where Imagination Met the Canvas: ‘On The Spot’ Free Press Painting Competition
On a lively Sunday morning, the Free Press premises bloomed into a world of colour as thousands of young artists arrived with crayons, brushes and boundless imagination. Laughter floated through the air, paint pots clinked, and blank sheets slowly transformed into stories, dreams and powerful ideas at the Annual ‘On The Spot’ Free Press Painting Competition.
Organised by Free Press, Central India’s premier English daily, in collaboration with DHL Infrabulls and powered by Indian Oil, the event transformed the venue into a vibrant hub of talent and inspiration. Bright splashes of paint, bold strokes of creativity and infectious enthusiasm made it a celebration of youth, dreams and artistic brilliance.
Recreating a day of fun, laughter and inspiration, more than 4,000 schoolchildren arrived as early as 9.30 am, carrying colours, crayons, pencils and brushes to paint their vision of the world. The young artists focused on themes reflecting city development, culture and social awareness.
The event brought together children from different age groups, each encouraged to paint not just pictures, but perspectives. Group A artists filled their sheets with innocence and calm, creating a charming scene of two tiny houses surrounded by trees and a serene natural landscape. In Group B (Classes 4 to 7), creativity took lively turns—canvases celebrated Team India’s maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup win, captured everyday learning through EVS on the road, and sparkled with the joy of dream birthday celebrations. The senior participants of Group C (Classes 8 to 12) painted with deeper thought and purpose, tackling compelling themes such as Operation Sindoor, Shubhanshu Shukla’s space expedition, and the urgent concern of rising pollution in Indore.
Adding heart and inspiration to the competition was a special category for specially-abled students in Indore, where creativity flowed freely, reminding everyone that art knows no boundaries. A special musical highlight was added by a band performance from national champion students of Shree Academy School, Mhow, which delighted participants and visitors alike.
Awards & Recognition
Three winners were selected from each group. Additionally, 10 consolation prizes were awarded in every category.
- Kiara Arya – Class 1, Sri Sathya Sai Vidyavihar
- Priyal Yadav – Class 2, Mar Thoma Academy
- Avani Singh Manaloi – Class 3, St Raphael’s Academy
- Shashwat Shrivas – Class 5, St Paul H.S. School
- Inaya Ali Khan – Class 7, St Raphael’s School
- Purvi Agare – Class 5, Shri Jai Govind Gopinath School
- Vardan Sori – Class 8, Pink Flower H.S. School
- Nadir Khan – Class 9, MABEM Academy
- Shwarmin Kaira – Class 10, Chait Ram Shoni Manikbagh
- Anjali Chauhan – Class 11, Indore Deaf Bilingual Academy
- Seema Osaki – Class 5, Anand Service Society
- Vinka Mourya – Class 10, Anand Service Society
A Word From Our Sponsors
"Every canvas tells a unique story, and the venue feels like a picnic of imagination and innovation."
"The themes inspire, judges are highly experienced, and the event offers the perfect digital detox."
"Free Press selflessly provides this platform without pressure, celebrating childhood and creativity."
Special Corner
Creating a space where everyone unites, special children sat aside Group C students and painted their imaginations. Yatharth Solanki from Urjasvini Special School said he loved painting and seeing the hall burst with colors, while Bhumik Somani enjoyed every stroke. Samriddhi Kuma felt thrilled to share her artwork and noted the kindness of the judges, making the day a true celebration of joy.
Creativity Wowed Our Judges
The judges were equally impressed by the young talents. A highlight was Shubha Vaidya’s style—putting up a tiny exhibit to pick the best of the best. Rajeev Waingankar and Vimmie Manoj admired the bold use of colors, while Narayan Patidar and Dhirendra Mandge noted the dedication of the children. Subhash Chouhan, Renu Bhargav, and Tanya Joshi praised the diversity of themes from cityscapes to festivals.
Glimpses
"Watching my children participate is always a joy. The excitement inspires them to create their best work."
"It’s not just about the colors, but also the right texture and finish. Every little detail matters."
"The outlines are complete... It’s exciting to see so many colors and ideas coming together."