With the repercussions of the flood intensifying, Kerala is facing a catastrophe like never before. Donations have been pouring in towards the flood relief fund, thanks to the Good Samaritans from across the world who have lent a helping hand to the state without giving a second thought. The donations vary from money, eatables, clothes and medicines to art.
Yes, you read the last one right.
Recently, this unique phenomenon is creating waves on the internet. Through a post on his Facebook profile, Santhosh Narayanan, a Chennai-based artist, requested his friends to contribute towards the relief fund and send him the receipt.
The opening line of his post reads ‘My art is my finance’. He further announced that he would be giving away his Charlie Chaplin watercolour painting to the most generous donor of the lot. His post went viral overnight, leaving his inbox flooded with pictures of receipts.
On totalling, they amounted to Rs 68,000. Santhosh Narayanan not only gave away the framed Chaplin to Mr Arumugam, who contributed Rs 20,000 but also sent high-resolution soft copies of the painting to other donors.
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The success of this novel initiative has propelled another in the same footsteps. Inspired by the former’s goodwill, Ranga Rajan, a copywriter by profession, but an artist by calling, has also offered his artworks towards the noble cause.
“As I craft all my artworks using natural materials, I believe that it’s my responsibility to stand by nature during the darkest hours such as this,” he says.
He has set aside five of his artworks for the donors and spread the word in his circles through WhatsApp and Facebook. His phone alerts have been constant since.
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The selfless acts of Santhosh Narayanan and Ranga Rajan are examples of how even a small thought can create ripples of change.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
Adrian David is a Chennai-based copywriter and an alumnus of Loyola College.