Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Feb 24: In any programme, decorations take the driver's seat. In programmes organized by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), decorations using naturally available items reign supreme. Decorations take places of prominence, bd it is the state decoration, seat where the idol of the Lord is installed, or the lamp that is lit in front of the deity. Specifically, members of Nesara self-help group in Beejadi zone have won laurels by expressing their latent talents in making very rare artistic decorations meant for the pictures of gods or the seats on which idols are installed.

The women of this ladies-only group create magic by using environment-friendly things by using their sleight of hands. They never use plastic and other harmful things. Fronds, inflorescence, flowers, palms, artistic leaves of certain plants like crotons, stems and sticks that are attractive, alone are used by the group members to come up with out of the world creations. The decorations of this group has earned lot of attention and publicity now. All the 13 members of this group come together, and work equally to decorate places and spots in an orderly and planned manner.

These artefacts come to life with the united and single-minded efforts and devotion of these 13 members. The ladies come from different backgrounds, their concepts, thought processes etc are different from each other. But they capitalize on these differences and create something unique, although none of them have undergone any formal training in decorations. They have based their art on the simple training given to them under knowledge development programme in which they were trained in making flower bouquets and such other things. People invite this group for their porgrammes, and even they get requests for SKDRDP programmes.

The members of this group also are adept in Rangoli making. They make Rangoli by using different grains, powders, salt etc. Memebrs of this group, Jayashree, Savitha, Susheela, Jyoti, Sudha, Nagaratna, Geeta, Gulabi, Girija, Srimati, Sujata, Sharada and Geeta, work single-mindedly. They deserve to be lauded for ably making use of opportunities which come their way for expressing their creativities and placing before the people their excellent talents.

Nesara self-help group, which came into being in 2005, has 13 members. Since the very first year, the group has been organizing annual festivals. The group members thought of decorating the seat on which the Lord's photo or idol is placed for the annual programme. As the days passed, they began to experiment with more ideas and as their experiences turned richer, new concepts blossomed and their creations attained a sense of maturity and meaning. Expressions became deep-rooted. The final result of all these things is that the decorations now created by this group members give rise to a sense of awe and surprise in the minds of onlookers.

Every creation of the group is different and unique. Because of creativity involved, they look vibrant and alive. The members of this group are entrusted with decoration of seats for large scale functions organized by SKDRDP in this area. Coconut fronds, dry materials, different kinds of flowers, sticks and leaves of decorative plants, give rise to wonderful creations at the hands of these women. The subtle designs and intricate looks they achieve are simply marvellous. People looking at the dais cannot but notice with admiration the decorated seat at the centre because of the creative decorations of this group.