CHENNAI: It’s almost dusk and the petty shops on the Pichu Pillai Junction, Mylapore, are bustling with activity. As we walk towards East Mada Street, a tricycle, decked with a few rubber dolls grab our attention. When we try to find the owner of the vehicle, Karunanidhi, who is fondly known as Karuna runs our way and tells us that he owns it. He wants to know if we are looking for a savaari. “I ferry goods and also transport light weight furniture, in case someone is shifting their house,” explains the 47-year-old resident of Mylapore.
As we chat, a vividly painted miniature raatinam and a ratham (chariot) decked in glitter paper makes us pace towards it. “I do this whenever I get time. It’s made of hand cut wood!” he beams knocking the wooden ratham. Despite not having a place to live, Karuna oozes optimism. His smile can make anyone’s day. “This is where anyone who needs me can find me. In the day I work and in the night, that’s where I go sleep,” he says pointing to the platform opposite to his ‘workspace’. “People here have known me for over 40 years and they trust me with any job. I am their protector and they are mine!” he claims.
A skilled and self-taught craftsman, Karuna earns his bread by ferrying goods on his tricycle and in his free time, he makes miniature models. Ask him about his interest in craft and he gives a humble response: “During the kolam competitions that happen here, and during Navratri, I was awed by how festive the area becomes. I wanted to add more colour to it by contributing and started making these models. After failing the first few times, I got it right. That’s all I can say. I didn’t have time to explore how I had this skill,” says Karuna who has been making such models for seven years.
But, in all these years, he has had only one buyer. “One amma was impressed by the model and I sold it to her for `1,500. After that I haven’t had buyers nor do I stock pieces,” he says.
He procures raw materials from Chintadripet, and makes the rest all by himself. “I have to go to four different shops as you don’t get all the materials in one place. After that I ready my design and get help to drill holes, without which the structure will collapse. So, it’s important to have a strong skeleton,” shares Karuna about the models which take about 20 days to be made.
“If I make them in bulk, I am afraid that there won’t be buyers. I am a daily wage labourer and can’t afford to spend so much. If someone wants me to make it for them for a good rate, I am game,” he says. But so far all Karuna has received is appreciation and no remuneration. “Everyone looks at it and appreciates the art but no one wants to spend to buy it. It is completely handmade and offering `500 for so much work is less, I feel.” opines Karuna who was into flower business about 20 years ago.
“My mother used to do it. But after her demise, I couldn’t do it alone. So, with my savings I bought my first tri-cycle 20 years back and I have been on it since then,” he beams. Since then, he has also added a second tricycle to his possession. “I am happy with what I do,” he says. Somedays he earns about `500 and on the other days, he earns a meagre `200. “It all depends on the savaari. If I need to transport goods, I split the money between the other workers too. Even they have worked for it,” he smiles.
“We had five houses when we were young. But, our father sold it all. I have a sister and I help her and her family with the money I earn whenever possible. Their happiness is mine,” he smiles and reminisces his early life in ‘Mylai’ — with the three paisa ticket in Kamadhenu theatre, one anna for a tea and the boats still functioning in the Kavai (canal). “Now the buildings have changed. But, everything else seems just fine. I am happy,” he adds as he sips ‘cutting chai’.
You can find Karuna at the Pichu Pillai Junction, opposite Afsara Dry Cleaners, East mada Street, Mylapore.
Decorative items
Karuna also sells thoranam and other essentials during festivals. “I get it from Koyambedu and sell it here. Back when I was young, I could climb trees and pluck the mango leaves. Now it’s not possible, so I buy and sell,” says the Mylaporean.