Art from the Little Hearts – Celebrating Shri Krishṇa Janmashṭami with Craft and Fun
The Parijñā Activity Workshop at Grant Road, Tālmakīwāḍī, on 10th August 2025
(Report by Chaitanya Mallāpur)
After the success of the first Parijñā Activity Workshop held at Sāntācruz in the month of July, the Grant Road Local Sabhā also organized another fun-filled workshop on August 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12.30 a.m., at the Kănarā Sāraswat Association (KSA) hall, Tālmakīwāḍī.
The idea of holding the event at Grant Road was suggested by Chetanā Kaḍl̃e pāchī with Shrī Kris͟hṇa Janmās͟hṭamī as the theme, as the upcoming festival would attract kids of all ages to participate.
A volunteer meeting was soon called to decide a date for the workshop and plan the activities. The age group was decided as below 13 years. The arrangements were immediately initiated by Bipin Nāḍkarṇī mām, supported by Ᾱditya Maṅkīkar and Chaitanya Mallāpur. The KSA hall was selected as the venue, which perfectly aligned with the event's theme, housing the beautiful vigraha of the Lord Himself. Through the years, the devotionally resonant and famous As͟hṭamī Mhaṇtī-s have been traditionally celebrated at the KSA hall in Tālmakīwāḍī.
Lord Kris͟hṇa’s childhood is well known for his playful and divinely mischievous activities with his friends, and Janmās͟hṭamī was a perfect theme to engage the little ones.
A creative poster was designed by Dhanshree Mallāpur and Mitālī Mallāpur for the workshop depicting Bāla Gopāla sitting with his flute and Mākhana pots. The poster also featured the Utsava Activity Book from the Parijñā series based on which some of the activities for the workshop were selected.
Dhanshree Mallāpur and Mitālī Mallāpur
On the morning of August 10th, the hall was beautifully decorated with traditional ‘Kel ī Khāmba’ and marigold toraṇa at the entrance, giving an aesthetic vibe to the venue. A Haṇḍī (clay pot) hung at the entrance to welcome our Bāla Gopāla-s and Gopikā-s.
Right at the entrance, the Saṁvit Sudhā counter was set up displaying the products and books from the Parijñā series. The counter was efficiently managed by Chetanā Kaḍl e pāchī, Suchetā Baindūr pāchī, Revatī Shiroor pāchī, Avantī Paḍukoṇe pāchī, Savitā Paḍukoṇe pāchī and Vandanā Bal wal l y pāchī. Nitin Baindūr mām and Kanikā Nāḍkarṇī pāchī also extended their support to the team as volunteers.
As the participants entered the hall, each little Gopāla and Gopikā were welcomed with a chandana tilaka on their forehead by Niveditā Nāḍkarṇī pāchī.
It was a super fun Sunday packed with activities for kids, all themed around Shrī Kris͟hṇa Janmās͟hṭamī.
The hall was buzzing with excitement as children, their parents and even the volunteers joined in the festivities and participated in the sessions.
The workshop started with Sabhā Prārambha Prārthanā led by Mitālī, followed by dīpa-prajwālana by Bipin mām and Chetanā pāchī.
Mitālī started the first activity, which was a quiz based on Kris͟hṇa and his life, to energize the little ones. The kids enjoyed the quiz as they could answer most of the questions accurately, winning multiple
chocolates for the right answers.
This was followed by a craft activity conducted by Jānhavī Mallāpur where children, parents and volunteers enthusiastically participated in the pot painting activity using acrylic paint pens. Jānhavī also taught the participants to draw Wārlī art figures on the pots. While the kids enjoyed the activity, for the seniors getting back to painting after ages made them feel very nostalgic. Each pot was beautifully painted displaying different expressions of art.
The next session was the Mākhana Chora race, a game planned by Chaitanya Mallāpur, to re-energize the kids. The children had to race and collect the cotton balls (symbolising butter or ‘Mākhana’) and put them in the pot at the end of the row. The child who managed to pick up all the Mākhana balls before the other one, won the race. It was a great energy booster as every Mākhana Chora was cheered to win the race, charging up the environment and encouraging the little ones.
After this activity, Jānhavī and Dhanshree conducted another quick craft session where each participant had to create a headband with a peacock feather like the one which adorns Lord Kris͟hṇa. This was a paper craft activity from the Utsava Activity Book which the kids enjoyed.
This was followed by a shadow puppet show depicting the Kris͟hṇa and Kāliyā Nāga story, beautifully created by Jānhavī and Dhanshree with an enchanting narration by Mitālī. Juniors and seniors thoroughly enjoyed the show. The efforts put in for crafting the puppets were appreciated by all.
It was noon and time for the planned Kris͟hṇa āratī. Savitā pāchī sang two beautiful āratī-s – ‘Rāja Gopāla Te Maṅgalam’ and ‘Ovāl u Ᾱrati Madanagopālā’ which added to the as͟hṭamī flavour. Bipin mām encouraged and guided every little one to perform the āratī to the Lord.
Then came the most awaited moment for all the Gopāla-s and Gopikā-s at the workshop – the Hāṇḍī breaking celebration. Considering the little participants, instead of the traditional clay Hāṇḍī, a papier mâché one, loaded with chocolates, was beautifully crafted by Dhanshree. All the Gopāla-s and Gopikā-s were garlanded as they got ready to break the Hāṇḍī. With the chants of ‘Gopāla Kris͟hṇa , Rādhā Kris͟hṇa …’ the pot was broken and down came a shower of chocolates from the pot!! Children excitedly collected as many chocolates as possible.
Delectable prasāda–which included goḍḍā (sweet) phovu, kāllyā (curd) phovu, loṇī (white butter), a snack box and sherbet was served to all the participants. Each child received a free copy of the Utsava Activity Book and craft materials as a token of love. It was a joyful day indeed, creating many beautiful memories! The workshop concluded with the Sabhā Samāpti Prārthanā.
वसुदेवसुतं दे वं कंसचाणूरमदर्नम्
देवकीपरमान ं कृ ं व े जगद्गुरुम् ||
The Grant Road Local Sabhā offers this workshop activity based on the Janmās͟hṭamī theme as a sevā at the Lotus Feet of our Beloved Guru H.H. Shrīmat Sadyojāt Shaṅkarāshram Swāmījī, and our revered Guruparamparā.
Photo credits: Kanikā Nāḍkarṇī, Chaitanya Mallāpur Jai Shankar!
Watch this space for reports on more upcoming workshops!