Vendum encourages people to voice their desires for better world

They will be hosting an interactive cultural programme to celebrate plurality, inclusivity and empowerment with a series of events in Chennai from March 1 to 3.

Anitha Pottamkulam, one of the members of Vendum, says, “We took inspiration from poet-saint Vallalar for his affirmative teachings of what we want in life. We are a group of artists and citizens coming together to understand what kind of world may we affirm ourselves in and what kind of world do we wish to pass on to the next generation. As inhabitants of this place and the recipients of this history, what are the beliefs we wish to stand by? We believe that it is the concern of all to ensure the welfare of the society, to establish the entitlement of all citizens to human rights and to ensure that everyone lives with dignity.

“Moreover, it is our right to live in an environment that treats the earth with respect. People should know that their freedom ends where that of another begins. We are addressing these aspects during the three-day event. Our aim is to encourage people to voice their desires for a society that they may uphold and feel responsible for. As a first step, we are beginning with seeds of desire in a million small things. Vendum hopes to see a coming together of what could become a people’s manifesto.”

On March 1 and 2, there will be film screenings with discussions at Panuval Bookstore. Thiruvanmiyur. “The films, The Color of My Home, Hora, Yaadhum and Perunkadal Vettathu will be screened. On March 3, there will be an interactive evening of performance and discussions at the Ambedkar Mani Mantapam on Greenways Road. This programme proposes an artistic installation in the form of a tree onto which the public is encouraged to peg their written desires for a better tomorrow. These desires or vendums will be collated by us and made available to the general public eventually. There will be poetry readings, music, discussions, and direct conversations,” shares Anitha.