Charging ahead to Day 2

11^th September 2012 was day of ‘Aakkam 2012’. This was the day when the campaign would be officially inaugurated. At around 12:30 p.m all the students of the Department of Journalism gathered in the Theatre to be a part of the inaugural ceremony. For the inaugural ceremony we had a Chief Guest and 2 Guest’s of Honour. The Chief Guest was Mr. Mohan Kumar, a Joint Director in the Textiles Industry. The Guest’s of Honour were Ms. V. R Devika the founder of ASEEMA trust and Mr. Muniswamy, a potter of acclaimed repute from Pondicherry. The function started off with a few introductions of the guest’s after which the guest’s came forward to light the lamp and then moved on to the various talks given by the guests. While Mr. Mohan enlightened us on what the government was doing for the artisans, Ms. Devika’s session was filled with enthusiasm and panache. Ms. Devika spoke about her background and gave us insights into what she did. She also mentioned a very interesting fact that she wears only handloomed sarees and that when she goes abroad, she moves around a place only in those sarees. She was an inspirational figure to all us. She also got everyone off their seats and I mean literally when she showcase some spinning expertise using a miniature Charka. In all it was a very amusing and entertaining session when it came to Ms. Devika. After Ms. Devika, Mr. Muniswamy was up next. He had already brought us a video of himself to be shown and the video left the audience spell bound and in awe of this man. We salute artisans like him who have worked very hard for their craft, despite all the problems they’ve faced. He explained to us his art, the nuances involved with it, the inspiration behind why he does pottery for a living, the numerous national and international awards he has received and his general view on the topic. Soon after the inaugural session concluded with the guest’s being presented with hand-made memento’s by our classmates and everyone dispersed for lunch.

After lunch everyone came back for a panel discussion which involved Mr. Muniswamy and an expert from the field. The discussion was informative and it brought out many interesting information and ideas to the table. The expert and the artisan spoke about the future of craft in our nation and they spoke in detail about what has happened, what is happening and what should happen. Mr. Muniswamy also spoke about various schemes he saw in Thailand when he had traveled to that part of the World. Overall the information was enlightening and it was followed up by a Q & A session. With that we wrapped up all the sessions of Day 2.

Another highlight of Day 2 were the stalls outside the Department. We had 3 stalls exhibiting handicrafts and it was quite a success with a large bunch of students thronging to make purchases. One stall sold knick nacks and bags, another one exclusively sold jhola’s and other such bags and the last stall sold bangles, earrings and anklets. The women students were elated and you could see that the stalls were doing good business. In an effort to use hand made products we also kept water outside in clay pots. Yet another move to become eco-friendly and a step towards helping the artisans.

On day 3 we all have decided to ‘Go Swadeshi’ and will be seen moving around the campus in Khadi Kurta’s.

We’ve decided to ‘Go Swadeshi,’ what about you?

The Beginning of a New Dawn

On September 10^th 2012, the final year students of the Department of Journalism, Madras Christian College started off their campaign with a bang. ‘Aakkam 2012’ was finally brought center stage and with God’s grace day 1 started off on a very positive note.

On that bright, Monday morning the final year students along with 3 of our professor’s set off to Kancheepuram, the weaver’s abode of Tamil Nadu. We arrived at Kancheepuram around 11 a.m and made our way to Khadi Kraft. We had planned an interesting day at Kancheepuram and we were definitely on schedule. 

At Khadi Kraft we saw a gathering of about 25 artisans who had come to listen to what we had to say. Everyone was gathered in a quaint hall and we waited anxiously for our chief guest to arrive. Soon, our chief guest entered the hall and all who were gathered rose to pay respect to our esteemed guest. The chief guest for the day was none other than Ms. Vidya Sastry, CEO, Craft Council Of India. She was delighted to be here and sat down with the artisans. Soon she began talking to the artisans about the Craft Council of India, about what they do, about the government schemes, about us as well as our campaign. This talk went on for a while and then the artisans spoke to us as well. They spoke to us about themselves, their families, their craft and most importantly the problems faced by them in doing their craft. After this discussion session ended we all sat down together in the community for lunch. 

Soon after lunch, all of us students went up to the artisans with I.D application forms from the government. These forms would entitle each artisan to an I.D card which would assure him/her of insurance, of opportunities to sell their wares at expos, exhibitions etc. Each student went up to an artisan and helped him/her to fill up the form. This session helped us interact with the artisans on a more personal note and we learned more about them and their lives. Soon after the form filling session concluded, we thanked the artisans for coming for this delightfully informative session and we asked them to sign on the hand-made ‘Aakkam’ banner. After this we all went outside to have a small photo session with the artisans. With that we concluded day 1 of our campaign.

We soon packed up and left Kancheepuram, holding on to the memories of the day that had gone by so quickly. We came to Kacheepuram as a bunch of enthusiastic students, wishing to know more about the artisan community here. We left this place as individuals filled with knowledge of the plight of these artisans and when we left we made sure we paid our tributes to them. We left with a feeling of satisfaction and new found respect for these people and for the craft that they practice.

We pay our tribute ‘to the hands that mould’.  

Ramavelu the Potter

Name of the Artisan: Ramavelu

Art Form: Pottery

About the Artist:  Ramavelu is a potter from a village in Tamil Nadu. His family has been doing pottery for over five generations and his great grandfather used to do the pottery work for kings. Among seven contestants for a competition that took place in Dakshinchitra, Ramavelu was selected and had been given an opportunity to work there. According to Ramavelu, only if he works in Dakshanchitra will his work will be recognized and thus he'll be given further opportunities. He has seven children and each of them are well trained in this handicraft.

Group Members: Reginald, Surjeet, Afeef & Richard

Habiba the Carpet Weaver

Name of the Artisan: Habiba

Art Form: Carpet Weaving

About the Artist: Habiba is a carpet weaver from Thirunelveli district in Tamilnadu. She follows one of the oldest methods of weaving. Her family has been weaving carpets for over seven generation. Even her children are well trained in this handicraft. Now she weaves carpets in Dakshinchitra. Each carpet takes about fifty days to weave and the grass she uses for weaving is taken from the banks of the river Thamarabharani in Thirunelveli district.  Rates for the carpets depend on the material and design used in it.

Group Members: Reginald, Surjeet, Afeef & Richard 

Govind, Shyam and some statues

Name of the Artisans: Govind and Shyam

Art Form: Statues

About the Artist: The artists are from Rajasthan. The artisans are Govind and Shyam and they have been in Chennai for the last five years. They have already stayed in Andhra and other places. These artists keep moving from one place to another every five years. When asked about his earning he said that he saves around 25,000 a year. 

About the Art: These men specialize in making statues for various festivals celebrated in our nation, along with other small items like mora which is used by the people to sit down, especially the ladies as it makes them feel comfortable.

Group Members: Reynolds, Tolstoy, Sajid & Gargi 

Neelamegam's Sculptures

Name of the Artisan: R. Neelamegam M.A.,B.F.A.,Dip.A.S.,Ph.D

Address:  Res. (old no.90), New no. 73, Gokulam Illam, Kovalam Road, Mamallapuram- 603104, Tamilnadu, S.India. 

Art Form: Carving Sculptures 

About the Artist:  Mr. R.NEELAMEGAM  is a renowned architect, sculptor and also a builder who was influenced and inspired by his ancestors. He is a lecturer in the Govt. College of Architecture and Sculpture. He has lightened his experience of 30 years in this art form by developing his portfolio and working in international standards.

Group Members: Srikanth, Satish, Dinesh, Bonjar 

Lakshmibai's Art

Name of the Artisan: Lakshmibai

Name of Art: Decorative Articles and Showpieces

About the Artist: Lakshmibhai is a synonym of an art form that has entitled her to the making decorative articles and showpieces for the last 30 years. Desperation for a profound art led her to shift from her abode in kadaloor to the pallava artist village at padappay. The artist village is a serene
place and it is for conventional art forms alone. Art has been incorporated throughout her life, initially in the form of a craft teacher and currently as a retired craft maker.

About the Craft: It is an exclusive form of handicraft which focuses on decorations that help enhance the beauty of the house. To her, art is everything. She makes art out of anything and everything and even from things that no one could perceive would have an artistic value. Her house is painted with antiquity on the walls. Her art is made out of natural materials which include Jute hangings, decorative items with palm seeds, pottery, hanging materials with palm flowers, flowers out of socks cloth etc.



Group Members: Lasya, Parvathy, Princie, Somna