Mangaluru: Special children add colour to Deepavali with hand-painted diyas

Mangaluru: As Deepavali approaches, the festival spirit is lighting up Mangaluru in a special way at Chetana Bala Vikas Kendra, a local institute for differently-abled children. These young artists have taken up the task of painting vibrant clay diyas, bringing their creative touches to this year’s festival of lights.

Under the guidance of Seva Bharati, the institution has transformed Deepavali preparations by supporting the children’s artistic endeavour, enhancing the festival’s meaning for over a hundred special children from across Mangaluru and surrounding areas. This year, approximately 30 students, aged 25 and above, are meticulously painting diyas with patience and precision, preparing to meet a growing demand for their work. Last year, the centre’s children hand-painted over 13,000 diyas, a number expected to increase significantly this season.

Over the last decade, the children have received national and international appreciation for their artisanal creations. Orders have come in from cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Mysuru, leading to a demand for an impressive 18,000 diyas this Deepavali. The school’s staff, including teachers and volunteers, are lending full support to this project, says Meenakshi, a staff member.

Crafting Joy, One Diya at a Time

The children at Chetana Bala Vikas Kendra began working on the diya project over three months ago, mixing colours and creating designs on diyas sourced from Mumbai. Each diya is carefully adorned with intricate patterns inspired by traditional symbols like the lotus, mango, and basil leaves, among others. On average, each student paints about 25 diyas daily, revealing not only skill but a sense of pride in their contribution to the festival.

The diya painting activity also serves as a significant source of income for the children, with proceeds, after expenses, distributed annually among them during the school’s anniversary celebration. According to school officials, the joy this project brings to the students is evident and immeasurable, making it one of the most awaited events of the year.

A Year-Round Hub of Creative Engagement

Diya painting is only one of many activities organized for these special children at Chetana Bala Vikas Kendra. Throughout the year, they are involved in crafting decorative flowers, cloth mats, candles, screen-printing, paper bag-making, and assembling medical covers. These activities provide not only engagement and skill development but also contribute to a more inclusive, enriched environment for the children’s growth and self-expression.

As the children’s hand-painted diyas travel to homes across the country, they symbolise the spirit of Deepavali—lighting up not only spaces but also hearts, with colours that go beyond the canvas.