Artefacts by children for Diwali

diyas painted by children undergoing cancer treatment as part of Diwali creations by children

Art India Foundation has been working with children undergoing cancer treatment at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. We have been conducting art workshops for these children at the OPD of Department of Paediatric Oncology. As the coronavirus pandemic ended and life is almost back to normal, the art workshops which were suspended during the pandemic period, have resumed in full swing. We decided to encourage these children to create artefacts as Diwali creations. The children loved creating and painting the greeting cards and diyas. Our faculty Priti Naik with guidance from artist Chitra Vaidya, worked with the children. Like the children at Tata Memorial Centre, the students from School for Hearing and Speech Impairment run by Indian Red Cross Society, Pune, also created wonderful artefacts for Diwali. They were guided by their art teacher Maniyar M. M. with active encouragement from Mrunal Sarade who is the school principal. The management of Indian Red Cross Society, Pune, has actively supported this initiative.

Rangoli panati created by specially abled children with hearing and speech impairment, as a part of Diwali creations

Deepotsav 2022 to showcase Diwali creations

Diwali creations by children and artefacts for Diwali by children undergoing cancer treatment and children with hearing and speech impairment

All the wonderful Diwali creations by children undergoing cancer treatment at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and by students from School for Hearing and Speech Impairment run by Indian Red Cross Society, Pune, will be displayed at the Diwali fair happening at PYC Hindu Gymkhana, Pune on 15th and 16th October 2022 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. All are invited to see the wonderful creations by children.

Sale proceeds

greeting cards created by children undergoing cancer treatment as part of Diwali creations

We have already announced that entire sale proceeds will go to the respective organisations. We believe that this exhibition and sale will give these children and their parents the confidence, self-esteem and hope that the skills they acquire can be put to productive use. Market acceptance of their creations will energise the children and their parents much more than any other motivational technique.

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Shalini Jatia and Dr. Shripad Banavali from Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai for their constant support and encouragement. I would also like to thank Dr. R. V. Kulkarni and Neha Pendharkar from Indian Red Cross Society, Pune, for their support.

Road ahead

Sometime back, we had announced “Armaan (अरमान)”, a programme which will create visibility and opportunities for organisations which work with specially abled (divyang) persons, persons with medical conditions as well those from remote and tribal communities. Well, this Diwali fair might just be the first baby step towards that vision.

Related links

Art initiatives for hospitals and clinics

Diwali creations by hearing and speech impaired students

Diwali artefacts by children undergoing cancer treatment

Art India Foundation at Deepotsav 2022