Chennai: This Navarathri season, there is more to celebrate than just the religious side. Ms Indrani Swaminathan (74) has not just resorted to follow the traditional sundal and concert in her kolu but to include idols made from junk in her kolu steps.
This junk includes recycled waste from plastic, cotton and anything used and she leaves no stone unturned by putting her products on sale too. The ethnic chain of leaves used as a welcome sign at the threshold, made out of tea cups, used mouthwash bottles turned into flower vases, dolls from mosquito coils are some of the magic touches that her wrinkled and strong hands have yielded.
Gathering used materials from friends and relatives, she buys additional requirements to make the idols from NGOs and waste paper marts. In a week-long sale for this festival, she has made around Rs 15,000 from the proceeds of her products.
“I have been doing this as a hobby since the last Kolu and it pays. At a retired age, when my children are settled, it gives me satisfaction to be productive both in the house as well as monetarily,” said Ms Indrani, swelling with pride at doing her bit for the environment and simultaneously earning through it after retiring as a crafts teacher from a private school.
“Students from arts colleges also have taken my products to put up stalls and I’m happy that it is doing well in the market, considering that they are almost out of stock,” she added. Her affordable recycled products that range from Rs 10 to Rs 100 are on limited availability at her house in Kotturpuram. She can be contacted at 9940146233.
