Art initiative to support Kerala weavers

The floods that ravaged Kerala earlier in August caused a setback to the state like no other calamity. This tragedy evoked tremendous empathy from citizens across the globe. While help and rehabilitation efforts began immediately there is a lot more ground to cover to bring Kerala back to normalcy.

A group of five like-minded individuals from the city visited a weaving village in Kerala called Chendamangalam and came to know how they have been devastated in the recent floods. This led them to start the Kerala flood relief charity project ‘Care 4 Chendamangalam’. In order to raise funds for the distressed weavers, the team is organising an art exhibition in Chennai on December 1. The art show will feature works of prominent artists like RB Bhaskaran, C.Douglas, Thotta Tharini, Velu Vishwanathan, Devdutt Pattnaik and more.

Artist Thejomaye Menon, one of the members behind the initiative, says, “Chendamangalam is a weaver’s village on the outskirts of Kochi. The weavers were hard hit by the floods and we decided to come up with a long-term plan that would help them return to normalcy. We need to raise funds and thought an art exhibition would be the best way to take the first step.”

The members of the initiative are Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, Minnie Menon, jewellery designer, artist Thejomaye Menon, Meera Mammen, Vice President-Welfare MRF and Shekar Sitaraman, a hotelier. The proceeds of the sales from the artworks and sculptures will be utilised for the upliftment of the lives and livelihood of the weavers at Chendamangalam. “The money raised will be used to develop designs interventions and create perhaps, new avenues for these artisans to bring out new designs. Another aspect is, we are also encouraging the young generation weavers to continue in the profession. But as you know, youngsters are not particularly interested to be involved in the handloom and handicrafts industry. Maybe, there isn’t much for them to get attracted to. What we are thinking is if we bring in a new concept and change the outlook of the weaving industry, youngsters might take it upon themselves. They can come up with innovative ideas and participate and continue in the familial tradition,” adds Thejomaye.

Minnie Menon, another member of the project, says that visiting Chendamangalam and seeing the plight of the weavers brought home the stark reality of the havoc had caused to their homes and future. “It was a humbling experience. Though there are many clusters, we have identified a society comprising 42 women weavers who need immediate help,” shares Minnie.