Many would have come to the gallery at the C.P. Art Centre to take home the famed works of artisans and craftsmen from across India. But only a few would have given a thought to what lies behind it. Fewer still would be those who ventured past this gallery to actually find out. This group must be aware of the C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, which has for 49 years gloriously protected and preserved culture and crusaded for environment, education and women empowerment.
The Foundation had a humble beginning in 1966 and till 1978 it focussed entirely on cultural and intellectual activities. Dr. Nanditha Krishna, the president of the Foundation, says funds had to be generated to sustain the works of the Foundation. Keeping this in mind, the the first gallery for handicrafts was started.
“The exhibition in August 1978 showcased works from Andhra Pradesh. From then on, every month, a different State was represented. On days when no exhibitions were organised, the gallery was rented out. The C.P. Art Centre has been a major source of publicity and funding for the Foundation,” she adds.
As an art historian, Nanditha wanted the centre to carry out further research on Indian culture.
“When I came to the city, there was hardly any course promoting any study of India. We started the C.P.R. Institute of Indological Research, affiliated to Madras University for Ph.D., in 1981,” Nanditha says.
For research scholars and anyone interested in learning about the country, the Foundation has a well-stocked library inside a 200 year-old-house, most of which retains its old charm including the Madras roof, wooden staircase and courtyard, where marriages were once held. Apart from reference books, the library has original manuscripts on Indian history, culture and art.
The library also has rooms dedicated to language books. There is a collection of Kalidas’ works, 18th century English novels and poetry books. In the same house, an art gallery stands in the same place where a bathhouse once stood. The gallery has been aptly named Vennirul (hot bathhouse) Art Gallery.
The study on India led the Foundation to take up environment work and it began to impart nature education to teachers and students. At the request of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Foundation started the C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre in 1989.
“The Foundation is involved in restoring 52 sacred groves of India and conducts awareness programmes in ecologically fragile areas including the Nilgiri Reserve and Andaman and Nicobar Island. We have a state-of-the-art laboratory and a library dedicated to environment studies,” she adds.
Testing of the water that you drink, the air that you breathe and the soil you walk on is carried out at the laboratory. Samples of water can be given to the centre for testing.
To document its research and survey findings, the Foundation runs a publication.
“The Foundation believes in creating its own infrastructure. We have our own DTP unit to cut printing costs and use paper made from agro waste,” says Nanditha.
The Foundation is also one of the first organisations to start a full-fledged school for children with learning disabilities.
“The Saraswathi Kendra Learning Centre for Children was an accident. I had someone with a M.A. Psychology who was looking for a job. I referred her to various places, but every time she would return saying she was not satisfied.
When she started telling me about her interest in teaching children with learning disabilities, I decided to give her a small space. This was the beginning of the school. It offers supplementary education and is not an alternative school,” says Nanditha.
The Grove School is also run by the Foundation and students from the Saraswati Kendra are accommodated once they are ready for regular schooling.
“It is a truly inclusive education system we have.”
The Foundation is run on donations from well-wishers. It is planning a mega celebration as it enters its golden jubilee next year.
The Foundation is located at No. 1, Eldams Road, Alwarpet.
