COVID-19: Actor Indrans Takes to Sewing Machine Again to Give a Thrust to Mask-must Message

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Long before he made a splash in the tinsel world with his acting prowess, acclaimed Malayalam actor Indrans had shown his dexterity as a costume designer.

In difficult times of corona, the 64-year-old thespian is now resurrecting his old passion, this time round to produce not a costume but life-saving masks, making an impassioned plea to people to wear this simple device and ward off the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Cut a small, clean piece of cotton cloth and make an 8×8 inch fold out of it. Inner-line it with a soft non-woven fabric material and get it stitched on the machine. Presto comes a life-saving mask. Nothing can be simpler than this, along with social distance, in the fight against corona,” said Indrans as he demonstrated the fine details of the craft before the inmates of the Central Prison at Poojappura here.

Surendran Kochuvelu in real life, the actor was invited by the prison authorities to come and motivate the inmates who have pitched in to boost the production of cotton masks that are in great demand in trying times of COVID-19 disease.

“I did not hesitate for a moment to comply with the request of prison authorities. I consider it the duty of every citizen, however big or small she or he may be, to extend their services to help humanity overcome this unprecedented crisis,” said the actor, whose rib-tickling comedic talent has despatched audiences into peals of laughter.

The video clip of mask-making put out by Indrans from the tailoring unit of the prison went viral instantly, with viewers, including his vast fan following, cheering the artiste for his act of immense social responsibility.

“We are passing through a time when there is a severe shortage of masks, which are the most basic thing to prevent corona virus. It is a noble endeavour that the Tailoring Unit of the prison has undertaken. They have already made about one lakh pieces,” said the actor, who has starred in over 500 films and is a winner of the Kerala State Film Award and Singapore South Asian International Film Best Actor.

Indrans said people can make masks themselves with a little effort and it is easy for those who know the basics of stitching craft. The masks can be made using easily available materials like cotton carry bags, which can now be found in plenty after the ban on plastic bags.

“These are times each one of us must behave with greater responsibility. It’s vitally important to follow instructions from the government. The emphasis is on personal hygiene. Maintain safe social distance,” said the actor, adding: “We have overcome grave crises in the past. We shall overcome the crisis posed by coronavirus as well.”

A senior official of the State Health Department was effusive in his praise of Indrans’ initiative. “This is a noble gesture on the part of the top actor. His visit to the prison and demonstration of mask-making not only motivates the inmates engaged in bulk production of masks but also sends a message of its significance as the most basic protective equipment for people to arrest the spread of coronavirus,” he said.