The six daylongZainul-Quamrul International Children's Painting Competition-2009 ended with a prize giving ceremony followed by a cultural programme at National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on December 30. BSA and Gandaria Kisholoy Kachi-Kachar Mela (GKKKM) jointly organised the programme.

Though the competition started in 1997 at the national level, it turned international from 2001 onwards. This year, for the seventh time, the competition is being held with the participation of children from 18 countries — Bangladesh, Brunei, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Romania, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Turkey.

Among 3000 paintings, 253 were selected primarily for exhibition and 200 paintings competed finally for the awards. The competition was held in four categories.

The exhibition was held at National Art Gallery, BSA from December 27-30. Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni and eminent artist Rafiqun Nabi jointly inaugurated the exhibition.

Four gold, 10 silver, 10 bronze awards and 29 certificates were distributed among the winners from each category.

Mohammad Ijaj Ahmed Shad from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Kirama Gama Archchige Umesha Hesharani Imantika Kiramage from Sri Lanka, Tanjim Ahmed Tabassum from Dhaka, Bangladesh and Maibam Atia from Sylhet, Bangladesh were awarded gold from "Ka”, "Kha”, "Ga" and "Gha” categories respectively.

Tanisha Samreen, Rajit Shahil, Munem Safa and seven others from "Ka” category; Salman Sakib, Ravindu Sasanka, Fahmida Jafrin and seven others from "Kha" category; Kanita Rahman Era, Hamidur Rahman Rahi, D.M. Nafis Al-Noman and seven others from "Ga" category and lannatul Tamanna Liza, Nur Islam Ripon, Monira Alam Mishu and seven others from "Gha" category got silver in the competition.

Professor Hashem Khan, Professor

Abul Barq Alvi, TA Kamal Kabir and Sadhana Islam were the judges of the competition.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith as the chief guest, Indonesian Ambassador to Dhaka DRS. Zet Mirzal Zainuddin and Director General of BSA Kamal Lohani as special guests, founder director of GKKKM Professor Shafiul Alam, Syed Mahmud Hossain, Mushfiq Ahmed Shamim and other authorities from GKKKM delivered speeches on the occasion.

Kamal Lohani elaborated on the contributions of the two greatest artists Zainul and Quamrul in shaping our base in theart history ofBangladesh.

AMA Muhith shared his memories of these two greats." This year I am noticing a type of revolution in the arena of art literature and culture, that I observed twice in my life: in 1954 and in 1972," Muhitsaid.

Later a cultural programme, comprising recitation, music, dance and drama was held with participation of the regular artistes of GKKKM.