At Saradha Ramanathan’s house in Anna Nagar, one can find the shelves adorned with her crafts, all arranged in a picturesque manner that it is hard not let your eyes feast on them.
A peacock with its spread feathers and a mighty chariot with tiny figures of the deities of Krishna and Arjuna, made out of beads, stand out in her huge collection. On the shelves, there are tiny action figures made out of paper, which she says, are her grandson’s favourites.
Saradha’s love for origami began when she travelled to the United States in 2010; ever since, it has been steadily growing.
The 70-year-old craft enthusiast has been turning pieces of paper into creative and innovative curios.
“I never liked sitting idle, and therefore, I picked up this hobby, and eventually, it turned into something that is part of my everyday life,” she says.
A self-taught craftswoman, Saradha has proved that age is no barrier to artistry and relies on technology to hone her skills. “Every day, I learn something new from the tutorials on YouTube. I watch a video twice or thrice. Based on this, I can easily replicate it,” she says.
During Navaratri, when people struggle to find the right gifts, Saradha makes gifts for her friends and relatives at home. “I’ve been approached by my neighbours to take origami classes for their children but due to my present health condition, I’ve never been able to comply with such requests,” she says.
As she proudly displays her collection, she reflects, “Over the years, I’ve realised that making pieces of art isn’t just a mere pastime; it is something that I put my heart and soul into.”
Saradha can be contacted at 044 26269113.
