Manama: With just a week to go, Aalekh ’25, the Platinum Jubilee edition of The Indian School, Bahrain’s celebrated inter-school painting competition, is generating overwhelming enthusiasm from schools across the Kingdom and beyond. Over 1,000 students have already registered as of Thursday, with final participation expected to exceed 3,000—making it the largest edition of Aalekh to date.
Organized as part of ISB’s year-long Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Aalekh ’25 is shaping up to be more than just a painting contest. Scheduled for April 24 and 25 at the school’s Isa Town campus, the event promises a vibrant blend of art, creativity, and cultural exchange.
This year’s competition welcomes students aged 5 to 18, divided into four age-based categories: Drishya, Varna, Srushti, and Pragna. Each group will work with mediums suited to their age—ranging from colour pencil to crayons—to create their masterpieces on-site. General Convener Mr. Sasidharan M and Convener Mr. Devadas C have expressed their delight at the growing response, reaffirming ISB’s commitment to promoting artistic talent and cultural inclusivity across school communities.
The two-day celebration begins on Thursday, April 24 at 6:00pm with a grand Inauguration Ceremony at the Jashanmal Auditorium, followed by a special Sculpture Workshop for students of Classes 6 to 12, conducted by renowned artist Mohsen Altaitoon. The three-hour hands-on workshop will provide students with all materials and a rare opportunity to explore the art of sculpture under expert guidance.
The main painting competition will take place on Friday, April 25, with students receiving their topics at the venue. Adding to the day’s artistic flair is the Art Wall, open from 10:00 am to 1:00pm, offering senior artists an open canvas to showcase their creativity. Registration for the Art Wall begins at 9:00am on the same day.
The festivities will culminate in the Closing Ceremony and Prize Distribution, scheduled for 6:30pm on April 25, marking the grand finale of what promises to be a landmark event in the region’s inter-school arts calendar.
Important Reminders for Schools and Participants:
• Final date for registration through schools: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
• All participants must wear their school uniform and ID
• Mobile phones are not permitted inside the competition hall
ISB Hon. Chairman Adv. Binu Mannil Varughese, Hon. Secretary V. Rajapandian, Executive Committee Members, Principal VR Palaniswamy, and Platinum Jubilee Committee General Convener Prince Natarajan described the event as a dynamic platform to celebrate artistic talent, cultural richness, and the boundless creativity of young minds.
For further details and assistance, contact:
• Mr. Satheesh Paul: +973 39813905
• Mrs. Lekha Sasi: +973 39804126
• Mrs. Faheema Bin Rajab: +973 33799916
For Registration, kindly fill up the Google Form and submit it on or before
April 22: https://forms.gle/DZWXXD5GDFySLF5H
