Chitravathi@10: A new journey begins

 
Professor Dhiraj Kumar, Director of National Institute of Design Madhya Pradesh inaugurates the tenth anniversary celebrations; Dr. Rajendra Singh, the Water Man of India, launches ‘Project Kudineer’, the a water conservation and water literacy programme developed by CCC and VKP

A concept that germinated a decade ago during a discussion initiated in a meeting led by Sri MVM Sasikumar, Director of Velammal Knowledge Park, was about utilizing art as a tool for education. This discussion took place long before the concept of Art Integrated Learning (AIL) had even evolved. However, the management and the art department explored the possibilities, and within a couple of weeks, the idea began to take shape. Thus, Chitravathi was born.
Although it started as a small centre, inaugurated by renowned Indian artist Trotsky Marudu in 2013, under the umbrella of a large organization, it quickly made its presence felt in the education landscape and established its unique identity. Despite its swift establishment, the centre had a vision that reflected India’s endeavour to develop its own creative expression, breaking away from the sensibilities imposed by colonial art education.

Over the past ten years, Chitravathi, which was later renamed Chitravathi Centre for Creativity, has transformed into a premier institution. With the recent inauguration of its tenth-anniversary celebration on July 16, the centre is entering a new phase, offering more innovative and interactive programmes, workshops, and exhibitions.
Professor Dhiraj Kumar, Director of National Institute of Design (NID) Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, who inaugurated the tenth anniversary celebrations, expressed his belief that in the years to come, CCC and VKP would become highly sought-after learning centers for elementary school education.
“Why I say this is because I have been part of the task force for the new education policy. One important aspect is that creativity should be the means of any learning, and in this connection, you are ahead of many other institutes in the country,” he stated. He further highlighted the role of creativity in facilitating faster progress in education, adding, “Creativity is something that has helped education progress faster.”

He also appreciated the formulation of the policies here, which is bottom to top, which is highly effective. “In the design education, at NID, we believe that the approach should always be bottom up. If we start from the base, whether it is students, whether it is society, it is very easier to develop,” he pointed out.
Professor Kumar also shared his experience of interacting with a group of students who were enthusiastic about pursuing a future in the design industry. He mentioned that this interaction taught him a lot about the thinking patterns of the younger generation. Furthermore, he shed light on various aspects of the creative industry, particularly the design industry.
During the presidential address, Ms. Geethanjali Sasikumar, Director of Academics at Velammal Knowledge Park, provided a broader perspective on CCC in line with the philosophy of VKP and VET. These institutions are rooted in their concern for humanity and society while simultaneously offering quality education.

“We strongly believe that as the values of education continue to evolve, we must adapt and expand into new areas, emphasizing the importance of art in education,” she emphasized. She further noted that this approach not only fosters greater interdisciplinary interaction but also nurtures students’ creative development and management skills.
Biveesh B, Head of the Department at CCC, elaborated on the journey of CCC and its future plans. He stated, “It is imperative to emphasize that Chitravathi is not merely represented by the three petals depicted in our logo. Instead, we permeate the fragrance of the flowers, symbolizing the multidimensional and holistic approach we embrace. This signifies the boundless potential and promising future of CCC.”

The inaugural ceremony witnessed active participation from students, teachers, and every staff member of the VKP fraternity. It was followed by a captivating contemporary dance performance by Attakkalari Centre for Movement Arts, based in Bangalore, led by Jayachandran Palazhi and his team. Sunny Kama, the principal of TVIS, welcomed the gathering, and Ms. G R Shanthi, the principal of VMHSS, delivered the vote of thanks.

Earlier in the event, Dr. Rajendra Singh, also known as the Water Man of India, a globally acclaimed water conservationist and recipient of the prestigious Magsaysay Award for community leadership, launched ‘Project Kudineer’, a social responsibility initiative. This initiative is a water conservation and water literacy program developed by CCC and VKP.