Children's art reflects the direct relation of expression to experience. In today's conditions, we see the Delhi child influenced both by pollution in the environment and television as a part of his or her day-to-day reality.

Of the works on pollution, Pawan (13) of Priyadarshani Vihar has created a gray landscape, which would do credit to any artist. Children, it seems, have a way with colour, especially those who live in villages. One has only to look at the different shades of green in the work of 10-year-old Anurag of Hiran Kudna village to realise how sharply children react to the different shades of green in different trees and plants.

Another thing that strikes one is that the older children are no longer as constrained as they used to be. Fifteen-year-old Mansi of Priyadarshani Viharhas made a very interesting `Lok Sabha Cup' with cartoons of Indian politicians as players. One cannot help but reflect on how running the country is seen as a game and not a serious responsibility. It is obvious that those in office have given the impression to the children that politics, like cricket, is yet another form of entertainment.

There are talented children in almost all the residential areas. Stone-Crushers of Anil Kumar (15) of Hiran Kudna, the collage of Sudesh Pahuja of Vikaspuri, the Qutab Minar of Teesta Rajan of Kalkaji, as well as the works of Dron Budhhiraja, Ankit Bhattacharya and Khansa of the same area; Deepali Sharma of Palam; Hem Chander and Usha of Issapur; and the street scenes of the children of Shrestha Vihar, caught the eye.

It would be good if some corporate houses sponsored some of these young artists through art schools and created a new stable of artists in the future, rather than merely financing those who already have the funds. To choose such child artists, theSahitya Kala show should serve as a good basis.