There is a simple logic behind the actions of Lakshmi Menon who has touched the lives of thousands of people in seemingly small, but innovative ways. The logic behind her social interventions are as simple and persistent as her smile; ‘God never asks for your ability; your availability is important. If you can initiate good changes, then why do you have to wait for others?’
And available she is, as if guided by an inner call. Menon has a penchant for seeing beyond what catches the eye. Her interventions often produces social impacts and the results are for all to see. Recently, her urge to look farther than the obvious became the turning point in the life of a little girl in New Delhi. She says, ‘While travelling through the Meherchand Street, I spotted little kids drawing pictures using chalks on the pavement. The pictures drawn by one of them- Salma- interested me and I wanted to give her a present. I bought a drawing kit for her, but by the time I finished the purchase, the kids had disappeared. I went searching for Salma and found her in a house in the street. When the drawing kit was presented to her, her eyes widened with surprise. Knowing that the kid could never aspire to get into the world of lines and colours because of her modest surroundings, I persuaded a client of mine to make use of the Salma’s pictures in their office. Menon’s abilities as a professional interior designer had helped Salma with a bigger canvas to exhibit her skills.
She says, ‘We always wish somebody should take care of us. There is some kind of aspirations at every level. We have the power to change the life of others. If you put a little bit effort, you will get priceless happiness from that effort.’
If you think that Lakshmi Menon is busy only with her social interventions, make no mistake, because she is a busy interior designer, a jewellery designer, a fashion designer, a clay-pot designer, and a designer of handicrafts. She has also helped design the lives of many who followed her encouragement to go beyond the ordinary. She has her own company called “Pure living” .
Lakshmi says, ‘my designing skills range from life-style products to museum and wedding venues. I make a living from these designs. I get enough for my needs, not my greed.’
Her queer interest in wastes has been the driving force behind her art that brings out the beauty in wastes. She has already created stunning art out of waste. She believes that even a piece of charcoal can exude life if polished and crafted the right way.
Lakshmi, who hails from Kanjiramattom, near Kottayam, completed her degree in Home Science, but the innate explorer in her took her to New York where she took part in the New York Fashion Week. There is an interesting anecdote behind that venture. Lakshmi was studying ceramic-pottery making in San Francisco. During one of her open studio sessions, a weekend event that helps artists to showcase their talents, Lakshmi helped her teacher in setting up her studio. The teacher never expected such a kind gesture. That day's activities prompted the teacher to know more of Lakshmi's creative side and how she was aspiring for an opening into the world of design in the US. The teacher’s recommendation assured a spot for Lakshmi's creations in a prominent gallery where she met Keren Peled, a San Francisco based designer who was impressed by her designs. Soon she was designing ear rings and bracelets for models at the New York Fashion week!
Lakshmi’s talent in ‘Hay art’ was widely recognised in Kerala when she was asked to create 10,000 book covers using this art. She says, ‘People were awaiting the release of ‘Pravasam,’ a book written by famous Malayalam writer M. Mukundan and published by DC books. I got the opportunity to design covers for that famous work. I made five unique designs and all of them blended perfectly with the content of the book. The publishers were actually supporting a dying art form and helped us to give a new perspective to a traditional art form.’
Lakshmi tries to merge her art and social-development initiatives as much as possible. Recently, she introduced the concept of a ‘Paper Pen‘ branded as “Rolapena” in the villages of Varanasi. The project, which was aimed at reducing the use of plastic, received much enthusiasm and support from the women in Varanasi.
On her social initiatives, she says, ‘when I got the opportunity to travel to Haridwar and Rishikesh, I understood first hand, the back-breaking burden of household chores on women. They have to fetch water from far of places, collect firewood, cook food and still have hundreds of tasks pending for the day. I reasoned that if they could spend some time making 'paper pens,' they could earn some money to purchase solar cookers, which could ease a lot of strain on them. This idea was implemented with the help of International Institute of Waste Management and Reliance. I had a great interest in implementing the project and am happy that it has become a reality.’
Recently, Lakshmi got the opportunity to work with the Social Studies department at the Banaras Hindu University, where she introduced a novel business idea which has been a successful model in Kerala already, which earned a living for the grandmas. She befriended old ladies in old age homes and entrusted them the job of wick making. The wicks made by them are to be sold in the market with the marketing tag,WICKSDOM, 'kneading away instead of idling away'.
Authorities at the Banaras Hindu University have assured Lakshmi that her WICKSDOM product would be included in their one-year postgraduate diploma course. Lakshmi has been chosen to take classes on the subject at the university.
Lakshmi was also instrumental in bringing light to slums in Bhopal, where floods had washed away several houses. Lakshmi was able to implement the concept of 'water bulb' with the help of an NGO called Vijnana Bharati.
Her interventions also have a humane touch to it. 'When I went to meet a friend who was ill at the Regional Cancer Centre, I was startled that at the pharmacy they never bothered to provide a carry bag to carry the extensive medicines. When I asked authorities whether they could make arrangements to supply a cover for Rs 1 to pack the medicines, they agreed. Soon environment-friendly covers were supplied to the hospital with the help a supermarket in Kochi. The pharmacy now collects no money for the covers.
Lakshmi has also worked as a consultant for the Department of Tourism, Kerala. The 'Sargalaya Arts and Crafts Village,' a handicrafts village in Kozhikode took shape in Lakshmi's imagination.
She also brought out a 'Thaaliyola' (a bundle of palm leafs on which inscriptions are made) with Kerala's signature all over it. It can be described as a souvenir with a short description on Kerala. ‘It is an invaluable gift for many people,' she says.
Lakshmi, who believes in the power of the self, reminds parents that they have a great role to play in making children socially committed. ''Realise one's own strength, and act. Tomorrow will be yours,'' she says.