Defying odds, Chithra J obtains patent for handmade bottle art in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chithra J from Vizhinjam is a delightful example for many. Her congenital limb defect from birth has not stopped her from persevering to achieve her dreams. The 30-year-old with undeveloped arms and fingers recently patented her handmade bottle art creations.
“I started creating these bottle artworks a year before the pandemic struck. It basically involves dressing up used bottles with attires like small gowns and dresses tailor-made by my aunt. My teachers and friends said it was one-of-a-kind and advised me to patent the design since many ventured into fine arts during the lockdown. I contacted the Kerala Sastra Bhavan and proceeded as per the directions of the patent attorney to receive a ‘certificate of registration of design’. I had to pawn my ornaments and find the money for the expenses,” says Chithra.
The artist is currently pursuing her diploma in fashion designing at Carmel Industrial Commercial Engineering Institute, Mukkola, after completing a BTech course in computer science engineering at the Government Engineering College, Wayanad. “My father R Krishnankutty was my first-ever teacher. Since he was a learned man and one who handled many languages, many underprivileged residents used to approach him to learn, write and understand government documents. This is what I witnessed most mornings during my childhood, until his death which happened when I was in first standard. He always urged me to learn everything that other school-going kids did and never let me think that my disability is a limitation,” she recollects.
Chithra dreams of inventing something of her own and contributing to the country’s development. She is saving up for her ambitious projects from her meagre income earned by taking tuition classes for school students. “I believe in leaving a mark as proof that I led a fruitful life. Since I did my engineering final semester seminar in hologram technology by which one can view things in three dimension mode, I have plans to work on something along this line,” she says.