In memoriam - J. Chellathai

J. Chellathai from Dharapuram left her body on November 3rd in Pondicherry’s General Hospital at the age of 73. Having suffered a stroke last year and being diabetic, she died from a gangrene infection.

Recruited from the Cuddalore Handicraft department by then Aurovilian Bryan Walton, Chellathai arrived with her mother, Mary Ponammal, in Fraternity in 1973. Being highly skilled in korai pai grass mat making, they were very welcome in Fraternity’s handicrafts world and became an integrated part of the community.

Eventually Chellathai became head of Fraternity’s new Korai Pai Department and trainer of some of Kuilyapalayam’s youth. The mats became an important product for many Aurovilians, and even from the Ashram orders came in. In due time she married Mohan, a carpenter from Fraternity, and the father of Tixon. The whole family became part of Fraternity’s handicraft set-up and went through the community’s ups and downs during that time. Chellathai was the elder sister of the late Stephenraj, and lived her later years with her son Tixon and his wife Vanitha in Malarchi, a small children’s boarding house in New Creation. Chellathai’s remains were buried at Auroville’s Burial Ground on November 5th.