Adolescent artist

Among the 12 winners selected from over 6,30,000 entries received for the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) sponsored 21st International Painting Competition on the Environment was Bahrain resident Dariyush J. Postwalla, according to an online press release from UNEP News dated October 10, 2012. Winners were selected from the six regions of North America, South America, Africa, Europe, West Asia that was Dariyush’s domain and Asia Pacific. The children were reportedly judged not only for their artistic ability but also for their fresh ideas expressed through art.
The theme of the competition being "Green Communities,” the young artists tackled the subject with imagination and flair: "from lions and humans playing a snooker match on a map of the Earth, to a team of animal doctors and nurses operating on a sick planet.” Dariyush’s rendering showed the present world in an unhappy state due to pollution, mostly man-made. In urgent need of life support, the world can only be saved if humans collectively and actively endeavor to recycle, restrain pollution and replant trees, he explained his visual. His aptitude for drawing and painting was evinced since his childhood and Dariyush would amaze his parents with his ability to conceive a picture with an appropriate explanation when a topic was given to him.
Eleven-year-old Dariyush who is a Grade 7 student at the British School of Bahrain was presented a commemorative plaque, a cheque for US$ 1,000 and a Nikon camera at the award ceremony in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, mentioned a write-up forwarded by his uncle Mabrin Nanavatti of Poona. The function was held at the Palacio de Cidade in Rio and presided over by Nick Nuttall, communications director of UNEP, Theodore Oben, Children and Youth Program Specialist, along with other UNEP officials and senior representatives of Bayer and Nikon, which with the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE) are the principal sponsors of the event. Dariyush was presented his prize by Brazilian actress and social and environmental activist Tais Araujo in the presence of many Rio municipal dignitaries, film celebrities, environmental activists and the media.
Dariyush’s prize money has been set aside by his parents Perin and Jehangir to fund his college studies. Although he has not decided which subjects he would like to pursue, the adolescent hopes to complete his higher studies in the UK. Passionate about football he also enjoys other sports, trains in martial arts, takes part in school plays and makes time for his daily prayers, video games and music. He has two older siblings: Shiavax, aged 15 and Rushad, 13.
The International Children’s Painting Competition is UNEP’s flagship art and environment event. Since 1991, it has received more than three million entries from children in over 190 countries. The search for the winners of the 22nd International Children’s Painting Competition, which carries the theme "Water: Where Does it Come From?” is already underway. Children between six and 14 years may enter the competition before February 15, 2013. Full details are available on: www.unep.org/tunza/children