We chat up with Curtis “John” Degler who wrote to us about Kanimar. He shares with us in details about the artisan group in Mammallapuram and their showcase at our makers market.

Tell us a bit about Kanimar and the artisans.

Kanimar is the brand for an informal organization supported and founded by Tamilnadu Village Outreach, an Indian Charitable Trust and South Asian Village Empowerment, a Non-Profit California Corporation. Kanimar  has approximately 40 members drawing primarily, but not exclusively, from the Irula Tribal Community in the Tiruporuur Block of Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu.

The members specialize in producing original, one of a kind and unique hand embroidered textiles for use in wall art, bags, clothing, ornaments and other personal accessories. Drawing for their art on traditional South Indian sacred patterns such as sikku kolams, mandalas, rangolis, etc. they execute their pieces on silk, cotton, khadi and linen using both hand needles and tambour hook needles. They work primarily out of their homes with minimal supervision and are responsible for the design of the embroidery as well as its execution.

Many of the members gained their skills as former child bonded laborers engaged in the commercial production of saris but also continue to work in their traditional occupation catching venomous snakes for the venom extraction unit at the Crocodile Bank near Chennai.

What will Kanimar display at the By hand From The Heart Makers Market in Chennai?

Kanimar will display examples of their embroidery art as well as finished decorative wall art, bags and purses of various designs, ornaments, clothing.

Meet the Maker @ 
By Hand From The Heart Makers Market 23rd Edition
Friday – Saturday
16th & 17th February, 2018
10:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m
Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park, (old Adyar Gate Hotel)
132, T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai – 600018, India.

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