S D Heritage Pride School, Sector 85, Gurugram, organised and hosted Varnika 2026, the school's first ever inter school art competition in Gurugram. Young artists from participating schools came to the SDHPS campus to take part in an event built around the theme "A Symphony of Folk and Fantasy" and the line "Where Every Colour Finds A Voice".
The vision of Varnika was to create a space where India's rich folk art heritage could blend seamlessly with the creativity and imagination of young artists. Throughout the competition, the SDHPS campus came alive with clay panels, handmade jewellery and vibrant canvases, as traditional Warli figures, Madhubani motifs and Gond patterns found new expression through themes of dinosaurs, outer space and festive celebrations.
From the Principal’s Desk
Welcoming the participants, Principal Mrs Ajaya Chauhan spoke of art as a language that goes beyond boundaries. She described Varnika as a platform where every creation tells a story, where each stroke reflects heritage and each colour carries emotion. Her message set the tone for the event: this was a celebration of expression as much as a competition.
Four Categories, Four Age Groups
The SDHPS organising team designed a separate category for each age group, so every student worked on a brief suited to their level.
Clay Relief (Grades III and IV)
An engaging art competition where students explored the beauty of Indian folk art through three-dimensional clay relief creations. Blending traditional patterns, motifs and artistic styles with imaginative themes such as the Underwater World, Space Exploration, Dinosaur World and Tree of Life, participants brought their ideas to life while celebrating India's rich artistic heritage through creativity and innovation.
Fusion Threads (Grades V and VI)
A Creative jewellery-making competition where students explored the beauty of Indian folk art through sustainable design. Using natural and recycled materials, participants crafted unique, wearable accessories inspired by traditional Indian motifs and artistic expressions, highlighting the harmony between cultural heritage, creativity and environmental responsibility.
Echoes of Indian Divas (Grades VII and VIII)
A creative art competition celebrating the strength, grace and diverse roles of Indian women through traditional folk art. Students portrayed women as caregivers, leaders, artisans, warriors and symbols of resilience, using the colours, patterns and motifs of India's rich folk art traditions to bring their stories to life.
Festive Hues (Grades IX to XII)
A vibrant art competition where students showcased the joy, colours and cultural diversity of Indian festivals through a fusion of traditional folk art styles. By creatively combining two to three Indian art forms, such as Madhubani, Warli, Gond and Kalamkari, participants brought festive traditions to life while blending cultural heritage with artistic imagination.
Why Varnika Matters to SDHPS
At S D Heritage Pride School, we believe that education goes beyond academics. Platforms like Varnika nurture creativity, confidence, independent thinking and self-expression while helping students appreciate India's rich cultural heritage.
Through this experience, students explored diverse folk art traditions, developed artistic skills, learned collaboration and gained new perspectives by interacting with participants from other schools. Such experiences contribute to their holistic growth, encouraging them to think creatively, express freely and learn beyond the classroom.
Reflecting the vision of NEP 2020, Varnika reinforces our belief in art-integrated and experiential learning as vital elements of well-rounded education.
SDHPS extends heartfelt gratitude to all participating schools, teachers, judges and young artists who made Varnika 2026 a vibrant celebration of creativity and culture.
About S D Heritage Pride School
S D Heritage Pride School is a CBSE school in Sector 85, Gurugram, where creative activities sit alongside academics, sports and robotics. To know more about student life, visit the SDHPS website, call 8750822220 or write to info@sdheritagepride.com.
Team SDHPS