‘Mangraves’ to Resurrecting Dying Arts

Hyundai drives Art for Hope, supports 25,000 artists and invests over ₹ 5.8 Crores.
GURUGRAM, Apr 16 (The CONNECT) – Miriam Koshy, Earthvist Collective in Goa, launches ‘Aamche Mangrove’ drive to increase sensitisation towards the importance of the sea plants for Goa’s ecosystem and spark social conversation on the importance of conservation of mangroves. As an intervention, Earthvist created a spiral installation of prayer flags made of gauze, entitled Mangrave: (En)circling the loss. The installation called out the loss of mangroves by draping the central spiral of skeletal trees (of lost mangroves) with prayer flags in red. A documentary on the installation, supported by Art for Hope grant from Hyundai Motor India Foundation, aims to create awareness and act as an agent of change against the widespread destruction. This project received widespread attention from all corners of the community.
The campaign was key to harmoniously sustaining the farmer and the fishermen in earning their livelihood via what is considered Goa’s staple – fish, curry and rice.
Tapan Mohaana is an Odiya artist, who has effectively engaged and collaborated with communities most deeply affected by the adverse effects of the nature-culture divide. Tapan’s work often utilizes miniature-sized, toy like sculptural objects. His works are an amalgamation of various local and indigenous art forms like shadow play and shadow theatre.
‘Sunset in the Eastern Land’, his active art installation, showcased at HMIF’s Art for Hope exhibition, examines how changes in the landscape have political impact on society, and how these changes relate to mythological stories about nature and god, depicted through a traditional shadow puppetry art form of Ravanachhaya. As a reflection of the impact his art has, Tapan has been a part of prestigious residency programs including Pro-Helvetica (Swiss Arts Council) scholarship.
HMIL through its holistic art programs including Art for Hope & Artisan Fests, has consistently provided a common platform for artists across the diverse tapestry of India to showcase regional art forms.
HMIF says its art projects have touched lives of over 25,000 artists and art collectives across 27 States in India, through investments in excess of ₹ 5.8 crores. HMIF’s flagship Art for Hope project, has also awarded collective grants of ₹ 1.05 crore to 100 plus beneficiaries.
Puneet Anand, AVP & Vertical Head, Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., says the auto giant is committed towards playing a key role in India’s holistic growth. Under Hyundai’s global CSR philosophy of ‘CONTINUE’ we have been giving back to the society with various initiatives under the pillars of ‘Earth’, ‘Mobility’ and ‘Hope’.
“Our dedicated art programmes have been holistic change-makers in the national art space,” Anand says.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation has invested over ₹ 5.8 crores towards reviving lost art-forms of India, till date.

The foundation narrates several successful studies.
Chananji Khan belongs to Manganiyar community of Rajasthan, with a 100 year old legacy of playing the Surmandal instrument. The traditional 36 strings lap harp, has been a part of Chananji’s family for decades. With dwindling interest in the instrument, Chananji is now the only Surmandal player in a community of over 25,000 persons. For many years, Chananji’s Surmandal was the only instrument of its kind in existence. To save the legacy, Chananji and his sons are tirelessly working to preserve this lost art form on the verge of extinction. Today, with HMIF’ support and widespread awareness, this dying art form has been well recognised. His family and he created new instruments, which they now use to train people from distant villages.
Tarun Sharma, a visual artist currently living and working in New Delhi, practices art through drawings, paintings, mezzotint prints, woodcut prints and installations. He is also one of the first SEED Awardees (2021), from Prince Claus Funds, Netherlands. The common thread of his art is empathy. From documenting lives of people living helplessly on the streets of Delhi without food or shelter, to his current work that revolves around problems faced by animals in metro cities in an ever-growing urban jungle, Tarun’s art has made his audience stop, think and evaluate life around them. His art language is actively working towards imbibing a sense of empathy towards society and the environment. Today, Tarun is spreading the art of conscious print-making through various workshops for the community.
Tamsin Noronha, an environment activist and artist, has championed the cause of eradicating plastic waste through beach clean-ups in her home state of Goa. Post beach clean-up drives. Tamsin would take home the waste collected, wash them and create patterns and configuration, sorted by colour. Using the waste, Tamsin would arrange them piece-by-piece to form Goan Azulejo tiles, a common among Goa’s public spaces. Today, Tamsin’s artworks have been displayed pan-India and her art and conservation efforts have created significant awareness on the importance of keeping the ecology preserved.
Hyundai Motor India Foundation, through its holistic art programs, has provided participants with not only social, emotional and financial support, but a nationwide platform that acts as a springboard for further opportunities. Through its holistic approach, due recognition, an array of upskilling workshops, and mentorship for talented artists and Indian artscape, HMIF is actively driving ‘Progress for Humanity’ and a brighter future for all.
The Foundation was formed in 2006 with a purpose of ‘giving back’ to society and initiate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, in line with Hyundai’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’. HMIF has undertaken many welfare projects under the aegis of Hyundai’s ‘Creating-Shared-Values’ (CSV) direction of ‘CONTINUE’, which encourages sustainable development and promotes inclusive growth. Activities undertaken under the CSV pillars of ‘Earth’, ‘Mobility’ and ‘Hope’ focus on areas of community development, healthcare, educational and vocational training, environment, road-safety, art, science and technology.
HMIF has implemented initiatives such as ‘Sparsh Sanjeevani’, which brings healthcare to doorsteps in rural hinterlands. Project ‘Saksham’ enables employment for India’s youth. HMIF has also undertaken initiatives such as ‘#BeTheBetterGuy’ road safety campaign, ‘Art-For-Hope’ program. Driver healthcare program ‘Dhyan Do’ and incubator program ‘H-Social Creator’ to name a few. Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF) had also extended support to Central and State governments during the COVID pandemic by setting up of oxygen plants, aiding ventilator production, conducting mask distributions, aiding children of COVID warriors with education, distribution of tablets and renovation of schools. HMIF continues to work for the betterment of society.