Origami not only brings definition to paper but to lives of many

Origami is known to have stress-relieving, concentration-boosting and other therapeutic effects. Studies have shown that origami has a deep connection with mathematics as well and can boost reasoning ability.

However, according to VR Karthik, founder of the Origami Society of Madras, a Facebook group that was founded in 2010, most do not take up origami due to its concentration-boosting benefits. “People in the city are more interested in learning a new craft. Chennai is a very open city like that, with many people ready totry new things. They are interested in learning an art form withoutadding anything to the base medium,” he said.

Regular workshops are being held across the city by multiple groups, with a varied demographic – from elders to youngsters, and across occupations, said Karthik.

Children, specifically, are encouraged into this art form to enhance their creativity. Prasad, who conducts workshops for children, said, “For children, it acts as an outlet for their energy. I had a hyper-active child who took up origami. After taking the class, he started turning to origami to calm himself, and according to his family, it has helped him calm down and focus a lot more,” he said.

However, this interest remains on a perfunctory level. According to Karthik, not many in the city wish to take up the art form beyond the beginner level. “There are very few who take up the art form more than the second level. Many are interested in learning the basics, but only dedicated learn beyond that,” he said.