KOCHI:
‘Nalumani Pookkal’, the art therapy symposium and art exhibition organized by Blessed Life Foundation is on its third day, at Kerala History Museum Art Gallery, Edapally with exclusive works of senior citizens. The 4 days program will end on 26th January, Sunday.
Exhibition time is from 10 am to 7 pm. One of the main attractions of the program was a variety of sessions focusing on the importance of art therapy and how it supports diverse fields such as mental health to women empowerment. Chief guest was Dr K S Radhakrishnan who led the session on ‘how literature helps in attaining mental health?’. Another session ‘how art therapy makes women empowerment possible?’ was led by renowned motivational speaker, Selvi Shanmughan. Another event was the live music with paint show, performed by Keerthi Mohan and the band Ago.
Blessed Life Foundation suggests art therapy as a solution for common geriatric issues by leveraging the positives of community living. In this direction, the foundation is hosting ‘Nalumani Pookkal’. The foundation is managed by Bless Retirement Living, one of the prominent senior living projects within the state.
Researchers have found out that art therapy is effective even for symptoms such as dementia. Bless retirement living has been continuously organizing similar kind of workshops and initiatives for its members for more than a year. The workshops are organized under guidance of renowned artists and sculptors. There are numerous examples and experiences such as senior people involved in diverse art initiatives such as painting, sculpting, and installation attained better physical and mental strength and stability, similar to the case of music therapy.
The program was inaugurated by renowned writer Sethu (A Sethumadhavan). The exhibition is organized with the guidance and participation of experts such as Dr C S Jayaram, Francis Kodankandath, Kaladharan master, Lathadevi etc. Well acclaimed works of bless members are also included in the exhibition, along with works of the professionals. Each work is displayed along with detailed profile of the artist.
Bless retirement living also develops a permanent art center with the objective of spreading and sharing the importance and good results of art therapy. Works for a geriatric research center are also in progress. The aim is to leverage all the positive results of art therapy in the area of geriatrics.
