An Accidental Artistic Beginning
Amal S Pillai, a 31-year-old from Kollam, stumbled into the world of art and craft quite by chance. His journey began unexpectedly during his college years
when a fracture to his left arm presented an enforced period of inactivity. This downtime, coupled with financial constraints, pushed him towards improvisational crafting. Instead of conventional art supplies, he creatively utilized discarded materials, substituting satin ribbons with fabric scraps sourced from local tailors and employing rolled newspapers as a substitute for twine. This period of resourcefulness and adaptation not only fostered his artistic inclinations but also laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in sustainable creation, demonstrating how necessity can truly be the mother of invention in the realm of art.
Founding Amsham Handmade
This innovative spirit of resourcefulness, born from a period of unexpected idleness and limited funds, directly led to the establishment of Amsham Handmade in 2015. Amal S Pillai's initiative, now operating from both Kochi and Chennai, has evolved significantly over the past decade. It has transformed into a comprehensive practice deeply rooted in the principles of upcycling. The core of Amsham Handmade involves meticulously restoring and repurposing a variety of discarded items, including old fabrics, used bottles, and salvaged cable wires. Beyond mere creation, the initiative actively engages communities by hosting workshops that impart upcycling skills and organizing donation drives, fostering a broader movement towards conscious consumption and creative reuse.
