Blog

“I see something, I think and then I create.”

Not a scientist’s words, but those of 15-year-old Pooja, a budding designer.

Art for Akanksha’s Design Class opened up a new world for her—a space to explore creativity, so different from school. “We can make anything we want here. Because of art, I am celebrating my dreams,” she says.

Her mother recalls how Pooja once felt uncertain about her future in fashion design. Design Class not only revealed her hidden talents but also boosted her confidence and English skills. “She would come home and talk about everything she experienced there,” her mother shares with pride.

That spark continues to shape her journey. Today, Pooja works as a graphic designer, using Photoshop extensively, and has also completed a course in fashion design. With determination and faith, she is steadily walking the path to becoming the designer she dreams to be.

At eight, Sana joined Akanksha on her aunt’s suggestion, not knowing what awaited her. What she found was a world of gentle teachers who made learning joyful, unlike anything she had known. Her years at the Centre became a time of discovery and growth.

By 18, family needs pushed her to work, but a short corporate stint made her realise it wasn’t for her. Drawn back to Akanksha, she began designing and painting products with Art for Akanksha. “The environment here is so good, it’s like people can only love you,” she smiles.

Art became her space to explore, make choices, and gain independence—something her parents now deeply value. “Many of my friends are married, but my parents know I’m capable of earning and being independent,” she says.

Her teacher Rajshree beams, “Sana evolved from a shy, loving child into a confident and smart woman who discovered her potential. This reaffirms how Akanksha and art shape lives.”

Today, Sana is Assistant Manager at Art for Akanksha, leading production, sales, marketing, and partnerships—carrying forward the world she first stepped into as a child.

For as long as he can remember, Swapnil has been drawn to colours and creative thinking. Discovering new art forms and artists soon became his passion—making Akanksha’s Design Classes his perfect fit. To him, each weekend class felt like Pandora’s Box, filled with something new to learn.

Before Design Class, weekends meant homework. After, they became a source of joy and growth. Swapnil realised the sessions not only boosted his creativity but also sharpened his mind, making subjects like maths and science more exciting.

His Centre teacher, Rupa didi, proudly recalls, “He has grown exceptionally—his English improved, he excelled in all subjects, and today he’s on a different planet!” Calm, focused, and sincere, Swapnil impressed everyone, including his Design Class teacher, Salli didi, who admired his pursuit of perfection. “I go deep into everything I see, and it’s because of art. In Design Class, I found a new world,” Swapnil says.

That world carried him far—from scoring 95% in his board exams as an Akanksha topper to becoming a software engineer at Walmart Global Tech Services, Bangalore.

We can’t wait to see where his discoveries take him next.

Ruby joined the AVBS Akanksha School in Grade 8 and already knew that art was the way for her. Through support and opportunities that she got from her teachers, she decided to pursue art as a career.

Completing her graduation in Fine Arts, she is now pursuing a Masters with a specialisation in
portraits from MIT ADT University Pune

She has picked up a few awards through this journey – the latest being the first prize at Portraits
in her college.

She has participated and exhibited Artlane as well as the 42nd Monsoon show in Jahangir art Gallery, Mumbai. She was also at Method Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda as a part of a group show through Baro Market.

What stands out about her is her humility and desire to keep learning and striving towards her dream of being able to support herself and her family through the work she feels most passionate about.

I believe in being true to myself especially in challenging times, as an artist our truest colours
reflect our most honest thoughts and ideas.

“We place our minds on paper.”

Sounds like a psychoanalysis technique or a personality test exercise? It’s merely what Ashish Kamble does at the Akanksha Design Class.

Initially, Ashish didn’t enjoy the art sessions. His mother remembers the time he disliked drawing, made his sister do all his art homework and his teachers complained about his work. Today the same teachers appreciate his creativity. Even Ashish’s Design Class teacher, Salimunissa didi points out that “…though he wasn’t interested earlier, slowly, he began to be influenced by what he learnt, especially Van Gogh’s art. He learnt art wasn’t about perfection.” Things changed with this realisation: art doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be thought through.

Today, this 14-year old loves the art sessions as they let him have fun and get deeply involved in his work. Vidhya didi, Ashish’s Centre teacher talks of the boy’s unrelenting determination. “Earlier, he would withdraw into a shell if he couldn’t accept feedback. Later he not only started accepting feedback gracefully, but also worked on himself with utmost determination.” She also saw him grow in confidence, as he became more social over the course of his art classes. According to his mother the positive impacts are visible in school too. “Design class taught me to give 100% into everything I do and I am doing that with my schoolwork as well,” says Ashish.

This change isn’t limited to academics. Ashish now has bigger dreams for his life. He initially wanted to be a dancer, but now aspires to be a computer engineer. Why? “I want to make things different,” he chirps. “I notice colours in the world around me. How we bring those colours into real life is what matters.”

A Da Vinci waiting to create his masterpieces? We wish him luck.

Board exam score: 85%