Chennai city’s vibrant spirit thrives around the clock, with artists celebrating their love for the city across various mediums, from canvas to fabric. A unique initiative, Pattinam Prints, has emerged to honor Chennai’s rich heritage year-round.
The Birth of Pattinam Prints
Divya Vigneshwaran, the founder of Hastha (hasthahappiness), specializes in hand-block printed clothing. She explains, “While discussing the rich heritage of Madras, we wanted a way to celebrate it all year long. That’s how Pattinam prints was born.”
Capturing Madras Motifs
The concept was sparked by architect Thirupurasundari Sevvel from Nam Veedu Nam Oor Nam Kadhai, a social initiative. “I want to bring out the Madras motifs, starting with the city’s entry stone, which marks ‘0’, the kattumaram, temple umbrellas from Chintadripet, the lighthouse, and the alli flower of Thiru-alli-keni among other symbols,” says Ms. Thirupurasundari.
A Creative Collaboration
To bring this vision to life, a creative collaboration emerged, featuring illustrators, stylists, and groups like Anchored Hues, Flavours of Madras, and Paper Thundugal. Together, they transformed these motifs into a range of clothing items, including veshtis, sarees, T-shirts, stoles, and even umbrellas. even you check the artists on thetalentsquare.com
Sustainable Fashion for a Cause
“What sets these apart is the use of sustainable block printing,” says Ms. Thirupurasundari. “The veshtis and T-shirts are printed by adults with disabilities, creating a sustainable income model for them, while skilled artisans print the sarees,” adds Ms. Divya. All profits from this initiative go towards the Hastha Foundation, which supports the welfare of persons with disabilities. “This collection, featuring 16 Madras-inspired motifs, is all for the love of the city.”
Madras-Themed Art and Accessories
In addition to fabric, there are Madras-themed fusion tote bags designed by Aafreen Fathima S.K., a full-time architect and artist known as Ninetyeight.madras. “Taking auto rides have always been dreamy to me – the wind, yellows of the auto, and blue skies, just like the starry night. That’s how the tote bag concept of an auto ride under Van Gogh’s starry night came about,” Ms. Aafreen shares. She hand-paints these tote bags, having started this project during the pandemic.
Expanding the Artistic Vision
Ms. Aafreen isn’t stopping at the auto starry night concept; she is also merging other iconic landmarks, such as Higginbothams on Mount Road and the Armenian Church in George Town, with the starry night theme. “I will continue to celebrate the heritage of Madras through art that is accessible to all,” says Ms. Aafreen.
This collaborative effort not only celebrates Chennai’s heritage but also empowers local artists and communities, making it a true testament to the city’s creative spirit.