A young artist from Uttarakhand, Kanchan Jadli, is garnering appreciation on various social media platforms for her Pahadi cartoon character Laati.
The 26-year-old artist promotes Pahadi culture and highlights the issues faced by people living in remote villages of mountainous regions through her creation Laati. She also uses her art to raise issues like the felling of trees for development projects, need for stringent land laws besides keeping her political stand on certain matters too in a light and playful manner.
Jadli said she was raised in a village in Pauri Garhwal where she got the chance to know a lot about the culture and issues of people living in mountainous regions.
She said though her knowledge is limited, she constantly works on expanding it. “Today’s generation, especially those who grew up in cities, does not know much about our rich culture, festivals and the stories behind their origin. I wanted to bring all these to such people’s attention so that people can enjoy as well as relate to it,” stated Jadli.
She said she is a professional artist and created the Laati character eight months ago. “I have received so many positive reviews for my work in the past few months. I make graphical messages in languages like Garhwali and Kumauni and Pahadi GIFs using the character Laati for greetings during festivals and holidays. People told me that they like them as compared to other English and Hindi greetings which are available in abundance online,” Jadli said.
She also informed that she will soon start working with the social welfare department to raise awareness under the campaign Nasha Mukt Bharat besides some other departments to promote social and other issues. The Laati creator said that since she also likes to travel to expand her knowledge about other communities and cultures that exist in the state other than Garhwali and Kumauni communities.
“I will resume travelling after the Covid-19 pandemic situation improves and will work on bringing the stories associated with our famous as well as unrecognised temples,” quipped Kanchan.
