Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), through its holistic art programs including Art for Hope & Artisan Fests, has consistently provided a common platform for artists across the diverse tapestry of India to showcase regional art forms. HMIF announced its art projects have touched lives of over 25,000 artists and art collectives across 27 States in India, through investments in excess of ₹ 5.8 crores. HMIF’s flagship Art for Hope project, has also awarded collective grants of ₹ 1.05 crore to 100 plus beneficiaries.
Sharing the impact of HMIF’s art programs, Mr. Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head, Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. said, “Hyundai is committed towards playing a key role in India’s holistic growth. Under Hyundai’s global CSR philosophy of ‘CONTINUE’ we have been giving back to the society with various initiatives under the pillars of ‘Earth’, ‘Mobility’ and ‘Hope’. Our dedicated art programs have been holistic change-makers in the national art space. Through our art programs, including Art for Hope and Artisan Fest, we are fortunate to have reached out to over 25,000 artists. Our dedication to the Indian art community remains unwavering. Hyundai Motor India Foundation has invested over ₹ 5.8 crores towards reviving lost art-forms of India, till date.”
“HMIF’s flagship, art CSR program, Art for Hope has awarded grants of ₹ 1.05 crore to 100 plus artists and art collectives. Art for Hope program has continued to inspire positivity and growth, documenting the journey of ‘Progress for Humanity’ for India’s diverse art creators. This inclusive program has been a key enabler for artists from various domains, who are undiscovered, need support to carry on their art form, and in need of a larger platform. I am hopeful, HMIF’s art programs will support and promote India’s rich and storied heritage of arts, craft and culture.” Mr. Puneet, added.
Art for Hope: Uniting diverse art forms
Launched in 2021, Art for Hope has reached every state in India. In the last three years, HMIF has consistently been dedicated to promoting art and culture. While all beneficiaries have contributed significantly in their respective fields, a few stories truly stand out:
Miriam Koshy, Earthvist Collective | Goa
An Earthvist Collective response to the onslaught of ecological wounds to save Goa’s natural coast guards, the Mangroves. It was key to harmoniously sustaining the farmer and the fishermen in earning their livelihood via what is considered Goa’s staple – fish, curry and rice. The Earthvist Collective’s first project, ‘Aamche Mangrove’ was conceived to increase sensitisation towards the importance of Mangroves for Goa’s ecosystem and spark social conversation on the importance of conservation of mangroves. As an intervention, Earthvist created a spiral installation of prayer flags made of gauze, entitled Mangrave: (En)circling the Loss. Their installation calls out the loss of mangroves by draping the central spiral of skeletal trees (of lost mangroves) with prayer flags in red. A documentary on the installation supported by HMIF’s Art for Hope grant, aims to create awareness and act as an agent of change against the widespread destruction. This project received widespread attention from all corners of the community.
Tapan Moharana | Odisha
Tapan Mohaana is an Odiya artist, who has effectively engaged and collaborated with communities most deeply affected by the adverse effects of the nature-culture divide. Tapan’s work often utilizes miniature-sized, toy like sculptural objects. His works are an amalgamation of various local and indigenous art forms like shadow play and shadow theatre. ‘Sunset in the Eastern Land’, his active art installation, showcased at HMIF’s Art for Hope exhibition, examines how changes in the landscape have political impact on society, and how these changes relate to mythological stories about nature and god, depicted through a traditional shadow puppetry art form of Ravanachhaya. As a reflection of the impact his art has, Tapan has been a part of prestigious residency programs including Pro-Helvetica (Swiss Arts Council) scholarship.
Chananji Khan | Rajasthan
Chananji Khan belongs to Manganiyar community of Rajasthan, with a 100 year old legacy of playing the Surmandal instrument. The traditional 36 strings lap harp, has been a part of Chananji’s family for decades. With dwindling interest in the instrument, Chananji is now the only Surmandal player in a community of over 25,000 persons. For many years, Chananji’s Surmandal was the only instrument of its kind in existence. To save the legacy, Chananji and his sons are tirelessly working to preserve this lost art form on the verge of extinction. Today, with HMIF’ support and widespread awareness, this dying art form has been well recognised. His family and he created new instruments, which they now use to train people from distant villages.
Tarun Sharma | New Delhi
Tarun Sharma, a visual artist currently living and working in New Delhi, practices art through drawings, paintings, mezzotint prints, woodcut prints and installations. He is also one of the first SEED Awardees (2021), from Prince Claus Funds, Netherlands. The common thread of his art is empathy. From documenting lives of people living helplessly on the streets of Delhi without food or shelter, to his current work that revolves around problems faced by animals in metro cities in an ever-growing urban jungle, Tarun’s art has made his audience stop, think and evaluate life around them. His art language is actively working towards imbibing a sense of empathy towards society and the environment. Today, Tarun is spreading the art of conscious print-making through various workshops for the community.
Tamsin Noronha | Goa
Tamsin Noronha, an environment activist and artist, has championed the cause of eradicating plastic waste through beach clean-ups in her home state of Goa. Post beach clean-up drives. Tamsin would take home the waste collected, wash them and create patterns and configuration, sorted by colour. Using the waste, Tamsin would arrange them piece-by-piece to form Goan Azulejo tiles, a common among Goa’s public spaces. Today, Tamsin’s artworks have been displayed pan-India and her art and conservation efforts have created significant awareness on the importance of keeping the ecology preserved.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation, through its holistic art programs, has provided participants with not only social, emotional and financial support, but a nationwide platform that acts as a springboard for further opportunities. Through its holistic approach, due recognition, an array of upskilling workshops, and mentorship for talented artists and Indian artscape, HMIF is actively driving ‘Progress for Humanity’ and a brighter future for all.
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