Katha Chitrakala Award

... and the

GRAND PRIZE

of Rs. 100,001 [1 lakh]

is shared by ...

The three Runners-Up are

Katha sends its warmest congratulations to the winners!

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K A T H A

 most cordially invite you to the gala

CHITRAKALA AWARDS CEREMONY

at the INDIA HABITAT CENTRE . NEW DELHI
on 8 January, 2006

All the PRIZE WINNERS will be with us

DO COME. Your presence will add sparkle to the event!

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• We thank all the participants for their fabulous illustrations. We had a very  difficult time choosing from entries that came from seven countries across the globe.

• We wish we could have many more of our contributors named as winners!  We are getting in touch with some separately to sign contracts to do books with.

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Katha announces the

Chitrakala Award, 2005

for Excellence in Illustrating for Children

 The Katha Chitrakala Award for excellence in illustrating for children is presented each year to an established or emerging illustrator of children's books whose work displays creativity of a rare caliber.

Rationale

To find, foster and applaud illustrators who can create quality picture books for the Indian child. The award process, by providing such illustrators with an opportunity to introduce their works widely, we hope will make a vital and significant contribution to the world of children's books.

1. Selection and Awards

Eminent artists, illustrators, writers and teachers are hand-picked to serve as the jury for the Chitra Katha Award. The process is eclectic and rigorous and rest only on quality and ability to attract the child reader to the joy of reading and the love of books. The decision of the jury will be final.

First Prize to the most excellent work with an award of Rs 101,000 and a citation

Second Prize, with an award of Rs 31, 000.00 and a medal

Three Third Prizes, each with an award of a Notable Mention medal

2. Prize Criteria

•  The jury will consider each work for

•  Excellence of artistic technique employed. The illustrations should meet the highest artistic standards possible and carry forward the tradition of the best of children's literature

•  Appropriateness of illustration and style chosen to the story, theme or concept and to delineate the plot and setting.

•  Excellence in interpretation of story, theme, mod, ethos and characters.

•  Accuracy of details and closeness to reality. The quality and depth of research will be taken note of.

•  A keen and astute recognition of a child's interests and requirements.  The story and illustrations should strongly appeal to the child reader.

•  The Award is restricted to artists who are citizens or residents of India . [This precludes casual and/pr occasional visitors to the country.]

•  The jury will decide solely on the basis of the illustrations, but since the objective of this search for excellence is to bring excellent picture books to children, the quality of the story and its immediacy, as well as the layout and design of the book will be considered in tandem with the illustrations.

•  STORIES:

•  Any genre is welcome. But the story must appeal to a child between 3 - 8 years of age.

•  It should have a strong Indian theme and deal with Indian children and their lives, predicaments and worldviews.

•  Katha is looking for contemporary stories that are up beat, highly ethical and fun. We are not looking for stories and illustrations that are didactic or overly moral; that are preachy or that talk down to the child.

•  The story should accurately reflect the culture of the region the story is from, and the reader's understanding of the culture and people should be enhanced by the book.

•  If folklore is used, it must be fully acknowledged and annotated/referenced. The story should help culturelink linguistic cultures and states accurately reflect the culture and worldview of the people whose folklore is the focus of the book.

•  The chosen story can be in any language of India , but we do request that a rough translation be sent if the original story is not in Bangla, English, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi or Tamil.

3. Closing Date Entries must reach Katha by 15 March, 2005.

4. Conditions of Entry

•  Entries should be original illustrations, not photographs or prints. And must be accompanied by a signed statement from the illustrator saying this is her/his own original work.

•  We request illustrations for unpublished books .However; Illustrations from books published outside the country not before January 2003 are also acceptable.

•  The book should be a stand alone work of art without being dependent on other media like sound or moving images for its enjoyment.

•  One entry should comprise three or more illustrations for one story.

•  Entries should be submitted in the form of original work on paper, encased in a hardback folder of size 15" x 20", with the application form.

•  Registration fee: Rs 250. To be sent along with the entry in the form of a cheque or a draft in favour of Katha at the time of submission.

5. How to Apply

One entry should be accompanied by the following:

(1) Entry Form (A) to be duly filled out in type or print, and sent to Katha with illustrations.

(2) Entry Form (B) to be cut out and attached to the reverse side of each illustration.

(3) Summary of the story in English within 150 words.

6. Announcement of Results

The results of the selection will be announced to the winners, and on the Internet website of Katha by July 2005. And the awards will be presented to the designated laureates at a gala international ceremony at Delhi in October 2005, as part of the Katha Asia Literary festival.

The Chitra Katha Exhibition. Katha will mount a special exhibition at the time of the awards ceremony. Chosen works from amongst all the entries will be chosen for display.

7. Returning of Entries

All works will be returned to the individual entrants in December 2005. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped folder for the purpose. Katha will not take responsibility for return of artwork not so accompanied.

8. Application Form

Application form can be downloaded from the Katha website - http://www.katha.org or can be acquired from the Katha office in person, or via email at kathakaar@katha.org

For more details, contact us at Katha, A-3, Sarvodaya Enclave, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110 017. Ph: 2652 1752/ 2652 4350/ 2686 8193 Fax: 26514371 or email at kathakaar@katha.org

9. Sending Address

Entries should be addressed to:

KATHA

A-3, Sarvodaya Enclave

Sri Aurobindo Marg

New Delhi-110017