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The tale of the ‘handmade’ through its timeless design
By Siddhi Jain
Panaji, Dec 17 (IANS) Exploring the craft and design of the ‘handmade’ at the Serendipity Arts Festival here enables one to find uniqueness in the ‘daily’ objects found in abundance in Indian communities.
A medley of ‘jugaad’, traditional forms of material production and the ‘manual’, the utilitarian objects exhibited in “Matters of Hand: Craft: Design and Technique” cross our paths in our public and private spaces, but are often not appreciated as objects of exceptional design.
The barber’s wooden chair (nai-ki-kursi) or tailor’s stool (‘darzi ka stool’) – seen everyday in the Indian style of life – are often traditional in their genesis.
Notably, they cut across the discourse of “modern versus traditional” to represent cultural expressions that persist, despite threats from the mass-produced.
The idea, put simply, is to go beyond the visual appeal of the art object and appreciate the material and “matters of hand” with which it is crafted.
In the work, “Construct Deconstruct Construct” (2018) by multiple artists, the utility objects embody the ‘jugaad aesthetic’.
“Construct Deconstruct Construct” features ‘rehabilitated’ and vernacular furniture made from scraps of wood, plastic, rope and metal.
While ‘jugaad’ might be quick on-the-feet problem solving with limited resources, combined with recycling and reuse, objects created with this makeshift thinking are examples of unwitting design, that spawns not just pieces but designers who make them.
The exhibition’s opening work is mounted together with other striking pieces that exemplify traditionally crafted design pieces imbued with thought process and an aesthetic integrity that extend from the “karigars/craftspeople/designers/artists/artisans themselves”.
The very essence of these natural, indigenous materials drawn from the vast Indian landscape is integral to the design, the curator’s note reads.
The essence is easily seen in the pliability of katlamara bamboo, the translucency of the makrana marble, the sonorous rhythm of the ‘kansa’ (bronze) bell metal or the regional clays that transform from earth into beautiful forms.
On display, among others, are baskets woven from dried fibres of a banana tree, a cane seat with steel legs, a bamboo bookshelf – things that could find space in the modern household despite their indigenous construct.
What enables them to do it? Their timeless, utilitarian design.
Another case in point is the “Chomukh Chatai” by Rajiben Murji Vankar, made from recycled videotape plastic weft, plastic bags and nylon warp in the region of Gujarat’s Kutch.
The result of an initiative that suggested innovative ways of disposing plastic waste, the ‘chatai’ is a traditionally Indian floor mat that used long plastic strips for the material of the dense object.
The exhibition’s last object is the “Bhiksa Patra” (alms bowl) used by Jain ascetics, traditionally designed wooden bowls that have been in use for millennia.
While these objects may point to a lifestyle slowly vanishing, the classic design and material do force the viewer to stop and introspect about lives that continue through the inanimate.
(Siddhi Jain is in Goa at the invitation of the organisers of the Serendipity Arts Festival. She can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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