|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 14 December 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Homecrafts for all seasons by LAKMAL WELABADA
I first interviewed Charmanie Hemachandra nine years ago when she was getting ready for her pottery exhibition in 1994. My very first meeting with her was memorable since it was my very first 'art feature'. Though my aim was to get some ideas from her for X'mas gift wrapping, I felt it was worthwhile to have a chat with this versatile woman. "I was always good in art since my childhood. So when I was at home after schooling I learnt scientific sewing. I must admit that I was one of the lucky ones to follow the full course in Japanese doll making under Rathie Dhanapala (wife of late veteran journalist D.B. Dhanapala)," she said. Using a piece of cloth, saw dust, straws, wire and cotton wool she started her first homecraft - Japanese dolls. Her father and mother never forced her into anything. They just admired their 'Loku Duwa's skilled hands at work. "I was about eighteen years when I learnt cutch work (mirror work) from the peasants in Afghanistan where my father was working at that time," reminisced Charmanie. Whether it's from a village craftsman or on a pavement in Sri Lanka, or someone skilled in a foreign land far away, Charmanie never hesitated to pause a while and learn it. Her inquisitive nature, of probing the new and old techniques handicrafts helped to sharpen her skills. Self-teaching has been one of the secrets in her success. After learning a few basic knots in 'Macrame' which was 'the thing' at that time, the self taught Charmanie held her first exhibition in 'Macrame' with her students in 1981. The two huge identical Macrames she did in black and red in an elegant design gripped the attention of all who visited the exhibition. She learnt 'Ikebana' under late Kanthi Pillai.
Patchwork which she mastered in no time was next in line, and brought her much recognition in needlecraft. She had four exhibitions in needlework. Coming out first in the Designer of the Year competition in 1987, marked the most significant milestone in her life as it helped her to establish herself as a full time dress designer which she is to this day.. Following this, the peacock dress she did for the dress designing competition for the Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe in 1988, also won the first place giving her more stability in the field. She went on to say, "I did not have any formal training in dress designing. So I believe that if you have the talent, devotion and the courage you can achieve anything you want." And I added 'luck' also to her phrase as my perspective is that one should have the fortune to get blessed with skilled hands and talented mind to be successful in a field like homecrafts, which is very competitive today. "I follow the Buddhist philosophy, and always keep faith in myself that I can reach the target. I admire others' talents. I always like to share and lend my knowledge to others as we are not going to live forever. When we go from this world there should be someone to carry on these arts," said Charmanie. She joined hands with 'Golden Hands' - Manel Gunewardane and Kanthi Weragama in 1995. With the annual exhibition titled 'Creations', the three conduct the school for homecrafts which teaches all the hobbycrafts under the sun. 'Golden Hands' always get familiar with every prevailing craft (popular each time), and never hesitate to pass the knowledge to their students. "At present, bead weaving is the newest trend in homecrafts," said Charmanie showing a text book with sketches and scribbles with step by step descriptions of bead weaving.
Recently 'Golden Hands' got accredited as certified professional teachers, by Hobby Industry Association (HIA), USA. With that they became the first teaching school of homecrafts in Sri Lanka with the franchise to conduct the test to issue the certificate of HIA which has international recognition. Charmanie with 'Golden Hands' conducts many free courses for the war widows and ex-personnel of the three forces and the police. "We also give 50 scholarships every year for talented youths selected mainly from underprivileged backgrounds," she said. Treating everybody equally is a part of her vision. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
