Presented by ACRI Chennai Chapter
Next: Revival of Tamil Nadu's Heritage
24 March, 2021 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm IST | Webinar
ACRI in collaboration with SPI Edge hosted the third episode of the Next: series - Next : Revival of Tamil Nadu’s Heritage to start a conversation around how to revive indigenous art forms and traditions.
The session was a conversation between Tharun Sekhar, Founder, Uru Instruments, Thirupurasundari Sevvel, Architect and Founder, Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai, Dr Hemalatha Jain, Founder, Punarjeevana Trust, and Amar Ramesh, Photographer and Founder, Studio A.
The event started with the screening of a documentary short film “Jamakkalam” by Big Short Films about the traditional Bhavani Jamakkalam, the plight of the weavers and the way forward. The film being similar to the topic of discussion, set the tone for the event.
The panel discussion started with a conversation between the host S. S. Sriram, from SPI Edge, and the moderator Ms. Thirupurasundari Sevvel, where she spoke about her Initiative - Namveedu Namoor Namkadhai and how she successfully revived old architectural methods like red-oxide flooring by collaborating with artisans in a way that benefitted artisans and architects equally. The common point of discussion among the panelists was the improvement of livelihood of the artisans, and ways in which old art forms can be revived and presented in a way that they blend with the present lifestyle. Dr. Hemalatha spoke about how her Punarjeevana Trust is helping weavers achieve financial sustainability. Amar Ramesh recommended every young upcoming photographer to take up one topic of heritage and start covering them to create awareness. Tharun spoke about ways in which he works to popularise the Instrument Yaazh - a 2000 year old instrument rediscovered and remoulded by his entity Uru Instruments.
The event concluded with the screening of another documentary short film “Petti” which spoke about the Petti - a tool used by coconut climbers and how a few individuals managed to commercialise the tool and make it useful for the common public in their day to day lives, in turn helping the artisans' livelihood. The film was a fitting end which resonated with the topic in discussion.