KOCHI:
Nalini C. gets teary-eyed when talking about her having had to give up a passion for painting after marriage and the many responsibilities expected of homemakers fell to her. For years, the middle-aged Kudumbasree worker from Kasargod district had no space at home to indulge her creative impulses.
“Looking after a household and raising a family took up most of my life after marriage. Though 
Over the past four days, however, Nalini was part of a group of 42 Kudumbasree workers from across the state that received a refresher course in art theory and techniques from veteran practitioners. The women – three from each state district – were selected on the basis of artistic talent to participate in ‘Varayude Penma’, a unique art outreach initiative run by the Kochi Biennale Foundation (KBF) in collaboration with Kudumbasree Mission.
An instructional art workshop was held in Fort Kochi under the initiative’s banner from January 13-17. The participants were taught drawing by C. Bhagyanath, a Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016 participating artist, and clay-modelling by master sculptor K. Reghunathan.
Nalini made the trip to the work at her son’s insistence. “He pushed me to attend and said I needed to broaden my horizons. I was not sure since I hadn’t pursued or practiced my art since leaving school as an 18-year-old, but I’m glad I came. Being here at this international platform has given me the opportunity to understand and take back what I lost,” she said.
A sentiment shared by the other participants, who also appreciated the chance to work with other materials and mediums besides pen and paper.
“For most of us, art was just limited to paper and colours. The special sessions and workshops from noted artists taught us that any medium can be converted to art. We will be disseminating the knowledge gained from this platform and would suggest Kudumbasree to roll out business models connected with art,” said Shailaja P.J., who hails from a hamlet in Idukki.
The group was also given guided tours to KMB 2016 venues in the Fort Kochi-Mattancherry area. In April, they will return for a 10-day camp. The works they produce over that period will be exhibited during an exclusive Pepper House residency programme.
In the meantime, said Manu Jose, who is co-ordinating the effort, the KBF is also planning to host short workshops to equip the participants with additional skills using other media as well.
“We already have art inside us. That is the reason we are here. This initiative not only gave us the opportunity to further develop our skills, but also helped widen our existing perspectives regarding art,” said Kanaka Sivadas from Ernakulam.
Noting that this was the primary objective of his classes, Bhagyanath said, “The ladies said they were often teased about their works by neighbours, friends or even family members and that made them averse to art. This workshop also taught them that there are no set laws for creating artworks. I am sure that the experience gave them a big boost and changed this mindset.”
Deeja S. from Thiruvananthapuram said the initiative had found its mark. “As Kudumbasree is an organisation of ladies, it will be able to take art and its importance to Keralites. We will be able to educate our children about the importance of art and culture and create a generation that is aware of the same,” she said.
