In a world fraught with divisions, art transcends barriers, builds bridges. “Weaving Life to Weave Peace,” underscores this profound connection
In a world often marked by discord and division, art emerges as a powerful medium that transcends barriers and speaks to our shared humanity. It serves as a universal language that unites people in their collective longing for peace, healing, and reconciliation. Against this backdrop, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, in collaboration with the Embassy of Colombia in India, recently hosted a poignant exhibition titled “Weaving Life to Weave Peace,” an initiative of ‘Tejidos Chakana’. This significant event, held shortly after the celebrations of October 2nd – Gandhi Jayanti, and the International Day of Nonviolence – underscores the deep connection between art and the pursuit of harmony in our world. The exhibition vividly highlights the transformative power of creativity as it honours the countless lives lost to conflict in Colombia – and the world per se – a nation that has weathered its share of internal strife and lost countless innocent citizens.
The Colombian artisans, Mateo Perea Bernal and Nancy Gomez presented an extraordinary array of stunning creations crafted with fine stone beads. Each meticulously designed portrait serves as a heartfelt homage to politicians, journalists, humourists, social thinkers, and others whose lives were tragically cut short by violence. Another defining moment of the exhibition was the unveiling of a remarkable portrait of Mahatma Gandhi, crafted out of an astounding, over 1.4 million stone beads by Ambassador HE Victor Echeverri of Colombia in India, with flags of both the Nations imprinted through the beads.
This unique piece stands as a testament to the ideals of peace and reconciliation that Mahatma Gandhi tirelessly championed throughout his life. In a touching gesture, it was generously donated to the Gandhi Smriti, serving as a fitting tribute to the legacy of a leader who devoted himself to the principles of nonviolence, till the last breath of his life. ‘Tejidos Chakana’ is a transformative Colombian initiative rooted in ancestral traditions, using the art of weaving to promote peace and reconciliation. Founded by artisans, it honours indigenous techniques and local materials, preserving traditional craftsmanship while providing a platform for artisans to express their stories of struggle and resilience.
Each handcrafted piece reflects the creativity and strength of a nation recovering from conflict, weaving narratives of hope and unity for a brighter future. At the heart of ‘Tejidos Chakana’ is the belief that art can bridge divides and foster understanding. The initiative engages diverse communities through workshops and collaborative projects, empowering individuals to reclaim their voices and share their experiences. This cultural exchange promotes dialogue, enabling people to confront their past and imagine peaceful coexistence. Moreover, through vibrant exhibitions, ‘Tejidos Chakana’ celebrates the artistry and resilience of Colombian artisans, underscoring their vital role in the larger narrative of peace-building. The initiative is a testament to the power of creativity in healing communities and fostering social impact.
By promoting dialogue and cultural exchange, the aim is to foster an environment where healing can occur, allowing people to confront their past while envisioning a peaceful coexistence. The story of ‘Tejidos Chakana’ resonates deeply with Mahatma Gandhi’s beliefs, particularly his emphasis on the use of hands, creativity, and self-reliance as essential elements of individual and societal transformation. Gandhi often spoke of the profound connection between manual labour and the soul, advocating for the dignity and significance of work that involves the hands.
He would say, “If I were a poet, I would write poetry on the possibilities of my five fingers”. In his vision of education, known as ‘Nai Talim’ or “Basic Education,” Mahatma Gandhi stressed the importance of learning through productive activity, where creativity and craftsmanship were not merely tools for economic independence but essential means for cultivating inner peace, self-reliance, and a deeper connection with one’s community. Much like ‘Tejidos Chakana,’ Mahatma Gandhi viewed the act of creating with one’s hands as a form of empowerment, healing, and self-expression. For him, the spinning wheel, or ‘charkha,’ became a symbol of India’s struggle for independence – more than just a tool for producing cloth, it represented self-sufficiency, unity, and the rejection of exploitative systems. By encouraging Indians to spin their yarn and weave their cloth, Gandhi ji promoted the idea that true freedom came from within, not only political or economic autonomy but also spiritual and cultural self-reliance.
In both the Gandhian framework and the ‘Tejidos Chakana’ initiative, the act of weaving transcends its material purpose to become a metaphor for life itself. Just as threads are intricately woven to form a piece of fabric, so too are communities brought together by shared experiences, challenges, and hopes. Mahatma Gandhi believed that individual self-reliance was a precursor to true collective harmony – only when people could stand on their own feet would they be able to contribute meaningfully to the welfare of society.
Similarly, the artisans of ‘Tejidos Chakana’ are not just creating objects of beauty; they are weaving the very fabric of a peaceful and united future for their nation. Echoing Gandhi’s ideas of community empowerment and education, as not merely a process of acquiring academic knowledge, but as a holistic development of the individual within a community setting, where the aim is to foster dialogue and cultural exchange, ‘Tejidos Chakana’ nurtures an environment of collective learning, where people confront their past traumas and work together towards reconciliation and in the process healing. This reflects Gandhi’s belief in the power of community and the idea that true education is incomplete without the cultivation of moral and social values. Moreover, “Weaving Life to Weave Peace” also aligns with Gandhi’s vision of nonviolence, or ‘ahimsa,’ as an active force for peace-building. Mahatma Gandhi believed that nonviolence was not just the absence of physical conflict but the presence of love, compassion, and understanding. In conclusion, it can be said without exaggeration that such powerful initiatives invite the world to witness the power of art as a catalyst for change, encouraging humankind to appreciate the beauty that arises from the collective journeys toward reconciliation and understanding. Moreover, through the lens of art, “Weaving Life to Weave Peace” commemorates the past and inspires hope for a future without conflicts, thereby promoting collective responsibility in weaving a tapestry of peace for generations to come.
As we engage with these artistic expressions, we are reminded that every bead, every creation, and every story contribute to a larger narrative of healing and unity in our world. In celebrating these artistic expressions, we honour the timeless message that true peace begins with the work we do ourselves – both in our hearts and with our hands.
This is evident as Ambassador Victor points out that if one bead breaks, the entire frame collapses, signifying the unifying strength of community and peace-building. They are what can be called, “Peace Beads”.
(The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti); views are personal)
