Lending an artistic touch to the lives of common people

The Hindu

3 days ago

Inspired by the tales of ordinary people such as a farmer who lost his land to a thermal power station, a home maker who loves shell fish from the Ennore Creek, and a seashell picker who struggles to make ends meet, students of the Government College of Fine Arts have drawn sketches and made collages that are among an array of works on display at DakshinaChitra at Muttukadu as part of the Environment Action Month.
The exhibition – titled Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams – also gives a solution to clean up the Ennore Creek, and safeguard it for future generations from the common man's perspective. It will be on till June 30.
G. Sundarrajan of Poovulagin Nanbargal, who inaugurated the exhibition on Sunday, pointed out that for thousands of years, people learnt everything through stories and tales. He stressed the importance of creating awareness about the environment through art forms such as music, dance, paintings, collages.
'These days, arts is being used even as a medium of protest. If Chennai is to become a climate-resilient city and march into the 22nd Century, technology and traditional knowledge should join hands,' he added.
G. Karthik and B.M. Benisha, co-founders of Aram Thinai said the exhibition was the result of a research project funded by the British Academy and anchored by Coastal Resource Centre. 'We wanted to connect with the people of Ennore through their stories, and wanted more people to understand the importance of the Ennore Creek to the city,' they said.
Pictures of the Kodungaiyur dump yard clicked by Sakthi of the Vyasai Thozhargal team are also a part of the exhibition.
According to Anitha Pottamkulam, Director (culture), DakshinaChitra, this is the first time that they are holding month-long events for creating environment awareness.
'We have put together walks, art exhibitions, and even a programme on lime wash. We are looking to work with a range of collaborators, who are working with the community,' she said.