Priya Ramesh Swaminathan: A Socially Conscious Artiste

The Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India, which maintains the Empress Botanical Garden in Pune; hosts an annual flower show where there is one regular and most-looked-forward-to display. The creator is none other than the multi-talented, yet unassuming, self-taught artiste and eminent social worker, Advocate Mrs. Avlokita Mane, winner of the Swayamsiddha and Manav Adhikar Puruskaar awards in 2014.

Her pain-staking creations of landscape-designs crafted with flowers, leaves, vegetables, seeds, natural material like wood and rocks, etc. are just out-of-this-world. They are to be seen, to be believed.

One can just gaze for hours on end, at her aesthetic designs of village belles drawing water from wells, rural scenes, dancing divas (with skirts made of green and red chillies!), etc.

Besides these, she hires mannequins and dresses them up in eco-friendly attire like cabbage and lettuce skirts, tops made of colored leaves, artistic floral hats and accessories.

The theme rings out loud and clear. Preserve nature and enjoy its beauty and bounty. Be one with God’s creation!

This year, there was an additional prop of a broom, in the installation, which projected the message of cleanliness. A loaded school-bag nearby, bemoaned the fact that these days children are burdened with an excessive load of books! Thus, this artiste gets across socially relevant messages in a fun-filled way, without being unduly preachy.

As I wanted to get an insight into the mind of this wonderful artiste, I interviewed her and got some precious bytes which I would like to share with our readers.

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Let’s talk about your family background: I was born and brought up in Pune, in a family of three sisters and then married into a conservative family of eight brothers. My husband, Arvind, a Deputy Commissioner of Sales-tax, enthusiastically supports all our artistic talents. Avantika, our elder daughter is a jewelry designer and a gemologist and Advaita is an Odissi dancer and an educator.

Your educational qualifications: I’m an Advocate by profession and an artist by passion. After 10 years of service as a Legal Officer in New India Assurance, I quit in 1986, to pursue my hobbies.

How did you start making these exquisite creations/displays? When I was working, I used to design and tailor the dresses of my two daughters, design saris, embroider, knit, etc. I inherited this hand at needlework from my mother.

After I quit service, I dabbled in varied artistic fields such as landscaping, painting, making sculptures and interior-designing. The photographs of our garden and interiors of our home have appeared in many newspapers, for their uniqueness.

Once during Diwali, when my family was sitting and chatting at the dining table, I spontaneously created a bunch of flowers with dry fruits on the table. This was the start of my artistic journey, dominated by creative landscaping with mixed media; and then there was no looking back!

Your exquisite creations: I have made big designer rangolis with flowers, cereals, spices, dry fruits, cutlery, fryums (kurdaya), vegetables, fruits, etc. for the Poona Women’s Council Flower Show at Savitribai Phule University, Empress Garden’s flower show, etc. I exhibited a portrait of Goddess Durga in dry fruits; at National Chemical Laboratory for the ‘National Council of Women’ Seminar. I also created the ‘Goddess of Justice’ with cereals.

When I went to Kerala, impressed by the quality of spices, I decided to make the creation of ‘Spice Girls’ only with spices.

To raise funds for Polio Corrective Surgery, I displayed 25 rangolis (created in 48 hours!) at the Balgandharva Kaladalan in Pune. The photographs of these creations were then contributed towards the making of a table calendar. These copies were sold and the proceeds went to the NGOs with whom I am associated.

I created displays of sweets, chocolates and biscuits on 14^th November which were later on distributed to orphanages. I also created theme displays like ‘Maa tujhe Salaam’ in various media, Dances of India, Spice girls, Water scarcity, Clean Sweep, tribute to Late Dr. Mohan Dharia (made from 72 vegetables), Ganesha (made of 600-700 roses) for the Rose Show and Ganeshas in various other media, Radha-Krishna (using crushed stones), Goddess Lakshmi (mixed media) during Diwali, for ‘Sakaal Times’, a local newspaper; a land-scape with stationery items for the Happy School theme at the Balewadi sports complex and a hand-embroidered appliqué work of musical instruments, to welcome the Sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at a local 5-star hotel.

After receiving a number of awards in many shows, I stopped competing and only concentrated on displaying my creations. Through them, I strive to spread socially relevant messages. I take great pride in mentioning that whatever I earn through ‘my art’ is contributed towards a social cause.

Could you tell us the source of materials used for your creations and the average time taken to make these creations?

I buy all the material with my own resources. Sometimes it is sponsored. The mannequins are lent to me by a friend who owns a boutique. The average time for making the creations is 4 to 5 hours.

We’re curious to know what happens to the materials used, later? Are they treated with any chemical before use? After the display, the material is either reused or donated, hence no chemicals are used.

How do you feel when your creations are removed? I feel as if I have just returned after an enjoyable picnic and started feeling depressed!

Do you indulge in any other hobbies? I have a great collection of antique vessels, brass idols, diyas, mirrors, driftwood, liquor bottles, etc. I created bonsai trees for 22 years but stopped completely, when I saw the tall and majestic trees in Shimla and felt that I shouldn’t interfere with nature’s creation!

We’d like to learn about your Social Work: I have been involved in social work since the last 30 years. I am the ex-President of Poona Women’s Council, Rotary club of Pune, Far East (Rotary Dist.3131) and am currently the President of the Chitari Academy of Fine Arts. I work extensively for the welfare of the less fortunate, visually- impaired, handicapped and special children; and children of commercial sex-workers at NGO, Nihar. I have always volunteered selflessly without aspiring for any awards.

But her untiring, selfless service towards society was recognized and she recently won 2 awards.

Special Honors: Recently I received the ‘Swayamsiddha’ award in March 2014 (awarded for eminence in social work, by Lions’ International) and the Manav Adhikar Puraskaar in December 2014 (awarded to eminent social workers, working for human rights’ protection and awareness).

Your future plans: I’d like to publish a picture-book of all my creative endeavors, for the benefit of the next generation.

Your message for the readers: Every human-being has some passion, talent and inborn creativity. One must discover and nurture one’s latent talent, and ultimately master it.

Friends, creation of any art is another form of meditation and we all know that meditation leads to good health, honest thoughts and a vibrant life!

With this inspiring and earnest message, she signs off. Here’s wishing her all the best for her future endeavors!

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Interviewed by Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

1. The smiling artiste!