Fort Kochi
aikyam space
- 277 activities here
- 5 community clubs
- 4,074 participations here
Fort Kochi
aikyam's own room — open every afternoon, where the community clubs run.
What happened here
Building Stitch Precision: Guided Line Practice for Kantha Mastery
Today, the focus shifted toward building stitch accuracy and spacing consistency in Kantha hand embroidery. Transitioning away from small scrap pieces, the artisans began practicing on a single, larger fabric panel. To train their eye for even spacing, guided parallel lines were drawn across the surface, serving as visual markers for stitch length and gap distance. Working along these measured lines allowed the artisans to develop steady rhythm and control. The visual structure significantly improved stitch uniformity, yielding a cleaner, more cohesive texture across the panel. Trainers noted that with an additional three to four days of focused line-guided practice, the team will develop the muscle memory needed to execute flawless, evenly spaced Kantha stitching freehand without relying on drawn guides.
New MAD volunteers come together for an introductory session
Make A Difference (MAD) held an introductory session at aikyam Space for its new volunteers. The session introduced MAD’s vision, values and work with children, along with the volunteers’ roles and responsibilities. Games and group activities gave them time to get to know one another before beginning their work with the chapter.
Praise, Precision, and Peer-Led Learning in Kantha Craft
Today began with selecting suitable fabric pieces for Kantha work, which were washed and laid out for future use. The team then took yesterday’s pre-washed fabrics, ironed them smooth, and precisely marked, cut, and stitched them together to prepare fresh base panels for hand embroidery. As the work progressed, the exceptional accuracy of two artisans stood out. Their Kantha stitches showed remarkable neatness, speed, and confidence. We mounted their finished pieces into wooden embroidery frames and shared them with the rest of the unit. The display sparked an encouraging group discussion, with everyone examining the sample stitches and analyzing technique details. Seeing such swift progress exceeded all expectations. To build on this momentum, the team agreed that the advanced artisans will mentor others by sharing their insights. Before wrapping up, the artisans collectively planned dedicated group practice sessions to learn from one another and refine their craft as a unit.
Reflecting on Progress: Organization Sparks Pride and Precision in Kantha Craft
The stitching room felt bright, spacious, and filled with fresh, positive energy today, thanks to the thorough cleanup and reorganization done by the team yesterday. Stepping into a beautifully structured workspace set an upbeat, focused tone for the afternoon. The artisans eagerly jumped into practicing Kantha stitching, tackling two to three distinct new patterns. Their dedication was on full display as every stitch turned out noticeably neater, tighter, and more precise than before. Each completed sample was carefully archived inside their individual portfolio files. The true highlight of the day came when the team pulled out their earliest trials and placed them side-by-side with today's work. Seeing their tangible progress filled the room with visible pride and joy. Realizing how far patience and steady practice have brought them gave everyone a deep boost of confidence in their growing craftsmanship.
After the Storm: Unwinding with Fabric Sorting and Slow Kantha Craft
After two days of relentless hustle, frantic restitching, and tight deadlines, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the stitching unit today. The team gathered around 2:00 PM, and the moment they heard that their hard-earned tote bags were officially cleared and moving on to the sales stage, the room brightened with genuine excitement. Gone was the high-pressure rush of the previous days; in its place was a warm, quiet sense of accomplishment. Everyone sat together in a relaxed circle, taking time to untangle and sort colorful fabric scraps, share stories, and sip tea while casually continuing their Kantha practice. Without rigid targets looming overhead, it was a day dedicated to slowing down, catching our breath, and celebrating how far the team has come together.
Building Rhythm and Coordination Through Revision
On Sunday, most students were absent, so I used the class to revise Adavus and Mudras and introduced basic Chollu and Thalam. This helped me realise the importance of adapting my teaching to the students’ needs and giving them enough time to develop rhythm and coordination. I learned that even a small class can be a valuable opportunity to observe and support each student.
Nine children joined us this week, as schools were holding make-up classes. We began with LEGO, Dobble and building blocks. When the children asked to try body percussion, we set aside the planned reading activity and made a rhythm to We Will Rock You. We then explored what causes shadows, watched a video about the history of shadow puppetry in China and connected it to traditions in Kerala. Using materials left from previous sessions, the children made people, houses, a cat, a coconut tree, bees and an ant. For our theatre, we tied one side of a white blanket to the window while a facilitator held the other side. A torch lit the puppets from behind, with the audience seated in front. The children worked in teams to create and present three short shadow puppet stories. It was lovely to see them combine their ideas and bring their characters to life.
Architects explore how to make Kochi’s everyday spaces more playful for children
Children’s need for places to play was the focus of the first Little Big Everywhere workshop at aikyam space. Architects explored how small changes to everyday places in Kochi could make them more welcoming and playful for children. Led by Little Big Festival and supported by WRI India through the Nurturing Neighbourhoods 2.0 programme, the pilot will begin by identifying five spaces that could benefit from these changes.
After the Storm: Laughter, Fabric Sorting, and a Gentle Return to the Craft
After two days of relentless hustle, frantic restitching, and tight deadlines, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the stitching unit today. The artisans gathered around 2:00 PM, and the moment they heard that their hard-earned tote bags were officially cleared and moving on to the sales stage, the room immediately brightened with genuine excitement. Gone was the high-pressure rush of the previous days; in its place was a quiet, warm sense of accomplishment. Everyone sat together in a relaxed circle, taking time to untangle and sort colorful fabric scraps, share stories, and sip tea while casually continuing their Kantha practice. Without rigid targets looming overhead, it was a day dedicated to slowing down, catching our breath, and celebrating how far the team has come together.