Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 7 (IANS): Kerala Tourism Tuesday launched an online painting competition for children worldwide in memory of Edmund Thomas Clint, a child prodigy who created over 25,000 works of art before he died one month short of his seventh birthday.

The competition is open to all children aged 4-15 years. There is no entry fee for the competition, which will be open from Jan 15 to May 31, 2014.

Clint, the son of M.T. Joseph and Chinnamma Joseph, died April 15, 1983, of kidney failure, but his works continue to astonish art lovers and critics for their vibrancy, depth and maturity.

The Clint Memorial International Children's Painting Competition was formally launched by state Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar here Tuesday.

The paintings can be on any theme related to Kerala and each participant can submit up to five entries online through the Kerala Tourism website www.keralatourism.org/clint.

"We hope this competition will become a lasting memorial to Clint, the magical talent who was with us for such a short time. We also intend to showcase Kerala's culture and its uniqueness as a destination," the minister said.

Tourism secretary Suman Billa said the idea of the competition was to let the world see "God's Own Country" - a phrase that refers to Kerala - through the eyes of a child.

"Kerala is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and it was even more beautifully rendered on canvas by Clint. We want the world to be inspired by Clint and by Kerala," said Billa.

Clint's father Joseph thanked the Kerala government for reviving his son's memory and honouring his prodigious talent 30 years after his death.

Children living anywhere in the world can register online for the competition. Upon registration, they will be sent two e-books - one containing a portfolio of 30 works by Clint and the other with 100 photographs on Kerala to help them learn more about the region and its culture.