A Hundred Hands – Handmade Craft Bazaar at David Hall
Come Republic Day and David Hall in Fort Kochi will light up with handmade goodies from all over the world. Lasting up to the 29th is an innovative venture by A Hundred Hands, an artisans’ collective based in Bangalore. They’ll also offer live demonstration of the process behind the products.
Mala Dhawan and her sister, Sonia set up the nonprofit trust in 2010. They only showcase products that are made by hand – right now there are about 40 members in the collective. Urban and rural artists, as well as those from the hilly regions will be represented at the crafts bazaar. You’ll find anything from beeswax lip balm and silk sarees to household linen and carpets here.
The four I’s that are pillars of the organisation are:
Innovate: Evolve and reinvent products, designs, mediums and experiences
Interact: Participate! Encourage young people to develop a love of working with their hands and older ones to develop or reignite a hobby.
Inform: Build sensitivity and appreciation not only for the end result of handmade work but also the process and effort involved.
Include: Transcend social and economic barriers to build a community of artists and like-minded individuals.
Besides Mala Dhawan and Sonia, A Hundred Hands has others, too, as founders and advisory board members. Bindia Thapar an architect by training and an illustrator by choice. Prem Subramaniam has worked in the fields of Engineering, Tourism and CSR. Melissa Arulappan is interested in and good at baking, cooking, and is a public relations consultant. Pankaj Wadhwa is a successful entrepreneur
The handmade products are sold via community bazaars, workshops, volunteer programmes and corporate tie-ups.
