The Katha Chitrakala Award recognizes exemplary children's book illustrations and concepts that are fresh, powerful and unique, and have the potential to keep young readers interested and turn them towards life-long reading. This competition is open to everyone around the world.

Grand Prize: Rs 51,000 and a citation and publication by Katha

Runner-up Prize: Rs 31,000, a medal and publication by Katha

Notable mentions: Medal and possible publication by Katha

Katha stories handpicked for this competition can be found on www.katha.org/chitrakala/stories.
Writers who wish to illustrate a story of their own are also welcome.

Last date for the submission of entries: January 14, 2010.

Selected entries will be announced on our website (www.katha.org) on February 15, 2010. All selected artists will be invited to submit their complete artworks, story and layout to Katha by May 15, 2010. Winners will be awarded at a grand ceremony in Delhi.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• The competition is open to all children's book enthusiasts interested in reaching out to children.
• Each work will be considered for its: appeal and relevance to children belonging to diverse socio-economic, cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
• The work should appeal to children between 2-8 years.
• Illustrate your own story or download a Katha story for illustration purposes from our website www.katha.org/chitrakala/stories. Katha holds the copyright to these.
• All entries will be judged on an equal basis. No special preference will be given to Katha stories.
• Eminent artists have been handpicked to serve as the jury for the Katha Chitrakala Award.
• The process is eclectic and rigorous and rests only on the quality of the work and its ability to attract the child reader to the joy of reading.
• The decision of the jury will be final and binding.

REGISTRATION FEE

• There is no entry fee for teams residing within Asia, Africa and Latin America.
• The entry fee for applicants living in Australia, Canada, Europe and USA is USD 35. Please send your registration forms along with a demand draft made in favour of Katha.

THE CHITRAKALA COLLECTION

Chosen works from among the entries will be released as books in 2010. The originals will be displayed in a special exhibition at the Chitrakala Award ceremony in Delhi.

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

• Works submitted should be original and should not have been published in any form previously.
• Each participant or team can submit a maximum of two entries.
• The book should be a stand-alone work of art without being dependent on other media for its enjoyment.
• Each entry should comprise the full story and three or more illustrations for it.
• The illustrations should be suitable for a book of 11" x 8.5" size.
• Entries should not violate any existing copyright norms.
• Entries should be submitted: (i) in the form of original work on paper and (ii) on CD-ROM.
• Entries without filled-out registration forms will be considered invalid.

RETURN OF ENTRIES

All works will be returned to their owners after the awards in April 2010. Artworks for the winning entries will be returned after the books are published. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) of suitable size. Katha will not take responsibility for the return of artwork not so accompanied.

            Stories for Chitrakala                                                                                        Download Registration Form here