The Asha Kirana Project was a longstanding dream for the Mysore-based artist NS Harsha, who is known for his gently philosophical works that introspect on socio-political subjects. This was a first-of-its-kind community project with 300 children from government schools that took place at the Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka’s legislature. Harsha created space for children to reflect their thoughts around the idea of leadership, focusing on its qualities, facets and dimensions. 

On 1 March 2025, through a one-hour public performance the schoolchildren - between the ages of 9 and 13 - gathered on the footpath in front of the Vidhana Soudha, standing in a line facing by the breadth of the building. The performance began with children singing Nada Geeth, by Indian national poet Kuvempu, Karnataka’s official state anthem. Standees with mirrors on one side and students’ artwork on the back reflected sunlight onto the building, symbolically reflecting the ideas, hopes and dreams of the young citizens. The mirrors created a dramatic visual display of dancing light reflections on the state assembly. 

We also hosted the artist for a talk at KAASH followed by a display of the students artworks on standees, photographs and a short film of the project. 

Asha Kirana was conceptualised by NS Harsha and facilitated by KAASH in association with the Department of School Education, Govt. of Karnataka.