Erwadi tragedy through artists eyes

CHENNAI: On the 11th anniversary of the Erwadi tragedy, eminent artists Trotsky Marudhu, JK, Benitha Perciyal, Visvam and Dr Rudhran participated in the event organised by The Banyan on Saturday. The event aimed at creating awareness of the topic of mental illness and its treatment.Working for an hour, each artist painted a piece to show their version of the Erwadi incident, in which 28 chained mentally ill patients were burnt alive in a fire accident.It was also their bit to help in the spread of awareness of mental illness.An artist and psychiatrist, Dr Rudhran had photographed Erwadi in 1986.Although he had sensed an impending tragedy, no one had been willing to take any action till the horrific incident occurred. “I don’t believe in lighting candles.People don’t even stay till the candle has burned out. I haven’t touched a paintbrush in four years, but it is a cause close to my heart, so I participated,” he says.A poster making competition was held for college students, and 168 students participated.Teams consisting of three to five participants designed posters to create awareness and dispel myths about mental illness. The theme being ‘Rising out of darkness’, many of the posters depicted their versions of the same. Quotes such as “Love and affection can cure any man” and “Why chain their happiness” were used, as was “Learn from the accidents”.With paint smeared on their clothes and faces, the participants were a happy bunch as their work was exhibited for the artists to judge. Shwetha, a student of SDNB Vaishnav College, said, “Our college encouraged many of us to participate as it is a good cause which needs to be spread.Nearly 10 teams have come here.” Other students were overawed to see the artists at work.Judges awarded three first places: SIET College, Government College of Fine Arts and MOP Vaishnav College for Women. Complimentary prize was given to another team from Government College of Fine Arts.Monu Jain of the MOP team said, “The event was good, because the youth got to express their feelings about this issue through their talents.We hope it helps to spread the word to a wider platform.” Actor Parthiban distributed awards and a street play was also staged.

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