On the first day of 2021, people from various walks of life open up about what they are looking forward to in the New Year. Though 2020 was tumultuous, many hope that the lessons learned in lockdown will not be forgotten.
Chennai: Waiting to integrate art, design and technology
In terms of work, I feel brands and organisations around the world will be more acceptive and welcoming towards remote workers than before, and I look forward to collaborating with artists/designers and studios in India and on the other side of the world as well, just for the joy of bringing out some good designs to light. I did learn about the usage of Augmented reality in the past few weeks, which came in handy in understanding the need for digital experiences. Through my design studio, I can’t wait to create integrate art, design and technology to build new experiences in 2021.
— VARSHINI RAMAKRISHNAN, ARTIST
People need to sustain healthy lifestyle habits
The year 2020 witnessed people choosing a healthy lifestyle and becoming more aware of their health. I wanted that awareness to sustain and people should continue to focus on their health. When it comes to farming, a lot of farmers in the state have come forward to do organic farming and I wish that trend continues to grow. Also, people have started buying organic veggies and fruits after the pandemic. This shouldn’t just be a passing phase - people should be conscious about what they are consuming.
— ARCHANA STALIN, ORGANIC FARMER
Wanted to connect children across the globe through theatre
A lot had changed for me in 2020. Theatre is all about people coming together but that didn’t happen. But the situation led us to create an interesting online program called Arts Lab. This helped students learn far more effectively using theatre as a tool. This program is something we wanted to expand next year as well. When you are working online you are not hindered by any logistics. Children from all over the world joined the course and they were able to interact with no prejudices. It was beautiful to look at that sort of engagement and we are hoping to continue the same in 2021 as well. Also, I would love to do more theatre next year and am looking forward to resuming our Christmas pantomime. I miss directing on stage but hopefully, next year, I will be able to be back on stage. I am also looking forward to acting in more feature films.
—KRISHNAKUMAR BALASUBRAMANIAN, ACTOR
Looking forward to a year of peace, joy
2020 has been a year of many unprecedented things, ups and downs, challenges and roadblocks. Personally, it gave me time and made me focus on my creative projects. The events around me inspired a lot of music, brought out in collaboration with various artists. One thing I definitely missed though was playing concerts with audiences. I’m really looking forward to 2021, with the hope and belief that we’ll have live concerts with audiences, across the world, very soon. I’m also working on my debut independent album, I look forward to bringing that out in the coming year as well. More than anything, I look forward to a year of peace and joy, a time where, as a people, we can be proud, that we survived and triumphed over such trying times together.
— SHREYA DEVNATH, VIOLINIST
In terms of work, I feel brands and organisations around the world will be more acceptive and welcoming towards remote workers than before, and I look forward to collaborating with artists/designers and studios in India and on the other side of the world as well, just for the joy of bringing out some good designs to light. I did learn about the usage of Augmented reality in the past few weeks, which came in handy in understanding the need for digital experiences. Through my design studio, I can’t wait to create integrate art, design and technology to build new experiences in 2021.
— VARSHINI RAMAKRISHNAN, ARTIST
People need to sustain healthy lifestyle habits
The year 2020 witnessed people choosing a healthy lifestyle and becoming more aware of their health. I wanted that awareness to sustain and people should continue to focus on their health. When it comes to farming, a lot of farmers in the state have come forward to do organic farming and I wish that trend continues to grow. Also, people have started buying organic veggies and fruits after the pandemic. This shouldn’t just be a passing phase - people should be conscious about what they are consuming.
— ARCHANA STALIN, ORGANIC FARMER
Wanted to connect children across the globe through theatre
A lot had changed for me in 2020. Theatre is all about people coming together but that didn’t happen. But the situation led us to create an interesting online program called Arts Lab. This helped students learn far more effectively using theatre as a tool. This program is something we wanted to expand next year as well. When you are working online you are not hindered by any logistics. Children from all over the world joined the course and they were able to interact with no prejudices. It was beautiful to look at that sort of engagement and we are hoping to continue the same in 2021 as well. Also, I would love to do more theatre next year and am looking forward to resuming our Christmas pantomime. I miss directing on stage but hopefully, next year, I will be able to be back on stage. I am also looking forward to acting in more feature films.
—KRISHNAKUMAR BALASUBRAMANIAN, ACTOR
Looking forward to a year of peace, joy
2020 has been a year of many unprecedented things, ups and downs, challenges and roadblocks. Personally, it gave me time and made me focus on my creative projects. The events around me inspired a lot of music, brought out in collaboration with various artists. One thing I definitely missed though was playing concerts with audiences. I’m really looking forward to 2021, with the hope and belief that we’ll have live concerts with audiences, across the world, very soon. I’m also working on my debut independent album, I look forward to bringing that out in the coming year as well. More than anything, I look forward to a year of peace and joy, a time where, as a people, we can be proud, that we survived and triumphed over such trying times together.
— SHREYA DEVNATH, VIOLINIST
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