Turning 10, Tsunamika takes on a new cause

FeatureBy Kavitha

Keywords: Village relations, Tsunamika project, Upasana, Women’s empowerment, Tamil Nadu State Board School curriculum, UNESCO, Performances, Celebrations, Komali MeDi Clown Academy, Sankalpa and PondyCAN - Pondy Citizen's Action Network

Tsunamika arrives at one of the schools around Auroville

The story of the Tsunamika doll is well-known to Aurovilians and friends of Auroville. The Tsunamika came from Auroville’s Upasana design and garment unit when the people involved felt moved to help alleviate the tragedy of the December 2004 tsunami. They created a simple cloth doll that would provide livelihoods for women from the affected coastal areas, and be carried around the world as a call for support and as a symbol of hope.

Around a 100 women have earned their livelihoods through the making of the handmade doll. and about six million dolls have reached eighty nations worldwide, bringing overwhelming support and love for the survivors of the 2004 natural disaster. Her story has been included in the Tamil Nadu State Board School curriculum, it has been translated into many languages and been recognized by UNESCO.

Tsunamika has now celebrated her 10th birthday. Her story and impact was celebrated from the 8th – 10th January as a giant model Tsunamika was paraded through the streets along the coast, visiting many regional schools where she was celebrated through drama and laughter. On 10th January, people gathered at Bharat Nivas to celebrate with live performances, food stalls, craft stalls, an exhibition and an evening theatre event titled, ‘Tsunamika – Daughter of the Ocean. ’The event included many talented contributors, such as the Komali MeDi Clown Academy, Sankalpa’s Art Journeys creative inputs, a drama group from Finland, PondyCAN and the National Coastal Protection Campaign.

Tsunamika has now taken on a new cause, that of protecting the coastline, highlighting the issue of environmental degradation that is devastating our Auroville coastal communities and the world at large. We are proud that Tsunamika has grown out of the Auroville community and wish Tsunamika the same success with this new issue as she has enjoyed over the last 10 years.