The weavers of Chendamangalam in Ernakulam, who lost looms, raw materials and stock worth crores of rupees due to the floods, have a new friend. She is called Bhoomika.
Chekutty, dolls upcycled from the Chendamangalam handloom sarees that were destroyed by the floods, designed by social entrepreneur Lekshmi Menon, is the current poster girl for the cause of rebuilding the State. Standing side by side with her is Bhoomika.
Conceptualised by Sobha Viswanath of Weavers Village and designed by Deepak Shivarajan, Bhoomika is not just made of cloth from the Chendamangalam loom but from any “waste” fabric. Says Deepak, an animator who runs Studio Pava that makes content for children: “Bhoomika is inspired from Tsunamika, cloth dolls that enabled tsunami-affected fisherwomen in Tamil Nadu to rebuild their lives.” The women had lost their family, boats, and nets.
While Tsunamika’s primary aim was to help the women overcome the trauma by getting them involved in some handicraft to channelise their energy, Bhoomika, according to Deepak, is a symbol of support to the weavers of Chendamangalam.
Deepak Shivarajan and Sobha Viswanath | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Deepak recalls Sobha approaching him with the idea while he was helping out with the relief work. Says Sobha: “I wanted a strong and bold mascot. Women are generally depicted as weak and faint-hearted. However, during the floods, it was women who stepped forward to help out the most.”
And so a doll, with its dress tucked up to resemble a boat, was born. “We called her Bhoomika in honour of Mother Earth. Hopefully, Bhoomika is a step towards creating a sustainable Kerala for I personally feel that green energy is the need of the hour as we rebuild the State,” she says. The dolls are made by residents of Nirbhaya Shelter Home. “The all-women battalion of the Kerala Police has also offered to help,” says Sobha.
A doll costs ₹101. They can be customised. Orders can be placed on the Weavers Village’s Facebook page or by writing to weaversvillage@gmail.com. One can also shop for them at Style Plus.
“We have already received an order of 100 dolls from Dubai.” The proceeds from the sale will go towards the welfare of the Chendamangalam weavers.
Bhoomika will be launched today at Weavers Village, Vazhuthacaud.
Clean waters
Sobha plans to scuba dive with five other women from various fields dressed in Chendamangalam saris as part of a clean-up drive.
“Experts say 12 to 15 tonnes of plastic finds its way to the ocean every year. We hope to create awareness about the need of to keep our oceans clean.”
While RJ Shika, make-up artiste Renju Renjimar, co-ordinator of Smart Pix Media Dr Divya Nair, and advocate Sharan Prem have confirmed their participation, Sobha is awaiting confirmation from an actor she has invited for the event. Sobha plans to hold the drive by the end of the month.