Mangalore: Inaugurating a painting exhibition of 14 year old Vaishnavi Rao at Prasad Art Gallery on M.G Road on Thursday, a senior painter Purushottam Karanth, stated that young Vaishnavi was lucky to be encouraged as an artist, when many other parents only put their children on a rat race to earn money or pursue a career, lifelong in technical studies.

Vaishnavi’s parents did not dump their likes on the young girl who wanted to do paintings, now being shown in “Chitra Prabhavali” at the Art Gallery.

Such rare talents should be nursed and appreciated, Karanth added. Shakuntala, Deputy Director of Children Welfare Deptt, who presided, asked parents to recognize the talents of children at a young age. Vaishnavi is proficient in Dance, music and Karate, apart from drawings & paintings. The show continues till Nov. 14 with 35 paintings.