Art, Imagination, and Play: A Vibrant Day at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025
“It was inspiring to see how freely they translated their thoughts into art, reminding me that imagination has no limits when given the right space to grow.”
– Grade 11 ABWA CAS volunteer
On January 29, 2025, we partnered with Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA), to co-create a vibrant and inclusive play session at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. The collaboration brought together over 60 enthusiastic students from ABWA and 41 of children from The Opentree Foundation’s play centres, who celebrated the power of play, creativity, and connection. This wasn’t just an event — it was a reminder of how play can break down social barriers and empower every child to express themselves freely.
A Canvas of Creativity and Connection
The session was a colourful fusion of artistic exploration and joyful interaction. Children immersed themselves in:
- T-shirt and bag stencil painting – Letting their imaginations run wild, children designed unique pieces that reflected their inner worlds.
- Loose parts play – Using everyday materials like U-pins, paper cups, and clay, the children created their own ‘imaginary friends’ —characters born entirely out of creativity and personal interpretation.
These hands-on activities encouraged self-expression, problem-solving, and collaboration. Children weren’t just making art — they were communicating ideas, forming bonds, and stepping into each other’s imaginative universes.
Play Beyond the Classroom
This session stood as a powerful testament to how unstructured play fosters critical life skills like creativity, empathy, critical thinking, and teamwork. Through shared experiences, children learned not only about themselves but about each other—celebrating differences, building confidence, and finding common ground through joyful engagement.
“Through this activity, I learned the importance of self-expression and creativity in a child’s development,” a Grade 11 ABWA CAS volunteer said. “It was inspiring to see how freely they translated their thoughts into art, reminding me that imagination has no limits when given the right space to grow.”
For the students of ABWA, it was a day of reflection and inspiration. For children from our play centres, it was a moment of recognition and freedom. And for us, it was yet another affirmation of the transformative power of play.