Students of BBC School for the Deaf and Dumb paint outside the Udayagiri caves in Bhubaneswar. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 1: The World Heritage Week may have been over last week, but the celebrations are continuing in the city.

Yesterday, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), Bhubaneswar chapter, extended its celebration of the heritage week by hosting a painting competition at the Udayagiri caves.

Intach took students of BBC School for the Deaf and Dumb to the caves, so that their creativity gets inspiration from the rock art and beauty of the site.

The 30 students, who took part in the on-the-spot painting competition, first went around the caves and observed the meticulous art on the walls of the rock after which they started expressing their observations on the canvas.

A few students made clay sculptures on this historic monument.

“This is a part of the endeavour of our chapter this year to focus on young children. We are forming heritage clubs in schools and also intend to help the differently-abled children to realise their potential in art and heritage. This was in connection with the World Heritage Week that was hosted from November 19 to 25, which was extended for the convenience of these students, so that they would not miss their classes,” said convener of the chapter H. Balakrishnan.

There was visible excitement among the young artists. While some portrayed the caves along with the grand garden in front of it, some were seen painting a few portions that had figurines of women, men, elephants, lions and so on. Schoolteachers accompanied the students.

Barunei, a teacher, who interpreted for the deaf and dumb students the significance and history of the caves as explained by Intach member Anil Dhir, said this was the first time the students of the school were given an opportunity to take part in the unique art competition.

“We are glad that Intach organised such a wonderful event for our children. It always gives them happiness to explore nature and heritage,” she said.

An Intach member said they also hoped that corporate bodies would focus on such objectives in the interest of creating awareness and conserving the glorious heritage of Odisha, as part of their corporate social responsibility plan. “Our chapter is always willing to take such initiatives forward,” said Balakrishnan.