Ladies of Lune: An Afternoon with Chhavi Khandelwal
In celebration of Republic Day, we are honoured to present a special feature with Chhavi Khandelwal, who artfully intertwines the essence of art, education and India through her non-profit initiative, Saturday Art Class ( SAC ).
The demand for competencies like creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence is undeniable in our contemporary workforce. Yet, there remains a noticeable shortfall in the comprehensive and imaginative development of children, more so for those from underprivileged backgrounds.
For this inspiring #LadiesOfLune interview we explore the significant impact that creative exploration and expression can have when integrated into the classroom curriculum, particularly for schools aiding children from low-income communities.
Photography: Anannya Shinde | Interview: Josanne Roberts | Creative Production: Tasneem Nalwala and Mizbah Sheikh
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Big Santi Disc Studs with the Amira Triple Ball Chain Choker on her neck, the Small Tala Cuff on each of her wrists; and Vesper Dual Ball Rings paired with the Amira Multi-ball Chain Ring & Lyla Mesh Ring on her fingers.
1. How did Saturday Art Class begin?
Saturday Art Class originated in a local government school in Goregaon, Bombay, with a simple yet powerful intention — a safe space for expression through Visual Arts, transcending all barriers. It commenced as a pilot project in 2016 with a classroom of 30 children, where my co-founder, Manasi Mehan, served as a Teach For India fellow, and I volunteered as an art teacher. The resounding voices and expressions of the children propelled us to establish SAC, through which we have reached over 1.1 million children worldwide, inspiring them to create with confidence.
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Big Santi Disc Studs with the Amira Triple Ball Chain Choker on her neck, the Small Tala Cuff on each of her wrists; and Vesper Dual Ball Rings paired with the Amira Multi-ball Chain Ring & Lyla Mesh Ring on her fingers.
2. What are some rewarding moments as an arts educator? Do you have any memorable stories with the children you've met?
Our journey is filled with moments of joy, impact, beauty, satisfaction, elation, and learning. Witnessing a 10-year-old student deriving deep meaning and insight from a Piet Mondrian painting, surpassing that of any adult I've encountered, reinforces my belief in granting children access to art. It's these impactful moments that reaffirm my dedication to fostering creativity within education.
3. What is your relationship with art? How was art part of your life as you were growing up?
Like many, I initially channelled my passion for art into a career in architecture, deemed more 'profitable.' However, upon graduating from architecture school, I co-founded Saturday Art Class with Manasi. My aim was to demonstrate to myself and others the tangible, real-time outcomes of engaging in art and its potential to effect change. I firmly believed in the therapeutic nature of art and its capacity to serve as a coping mechanism and improve well-being.
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Small Tala Cuff on each of her wrists; and Vesper Dual Ball Rings paired with the Amira Multi-ball Chain Ring & Lyla Mesh Ring on her fingers.
4. To run an organisation rooted in creative and artistic expression, emphasising kindness and empathy is essential. What advice would you offer to someone embarking on a similar venture, seeking to give back?
Beginning any program in the development or social sector demands patience and empathy to comprehend the needs and challenges faced on the ground. Every issue is intertwined with multiple factors, and understanding this interconnectedness is crucial for anyone working in the sector. Regarding program implementation, courageously confronting uncertain challenges and being adaptable to constant changes are necessary. When undertaking something new, we always recall the advice of one of our advisors: 'Be married to the problem.' It's vital to be aligned with why and what we're striving to solve, and, more importantly, for whom we are solving it.
Pictured above: Stills from Shankarwadi Municipal School in Goregaon, Bombay — this is SAC's model school where they conduct research and development to study the impact of art on children.
5. Jewellery is a way to express our creative ideas. What are some jewellery essentials you wear to work every day? A ring, or perhaps a pair of hoops or jhumkas?
Hoop earrings. Every single day. I must confess, I am enamoured with many of Shop Lune’s collections. If anyone wants to gift me, they know they just need to visit your store. I keep my jewellery to a minimum apart from that. I suppose I'm expressing myself through that as well.
6. Who inspires you? Share about a few artists who have left a lasting impression on your art and perception.
Many people, especially artists, have inspired me. I draw inspiration from Keith Haring and Zarina Hashmi. I deeply admire Amrita Sher-Gil's work, as I sense the feminist energy and environment she created in her art.
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Small Tala Cuff on each of her wrists; and Vesper Dual Ball Rings paired with the Amira Multi-ball Chain Ring & Lyla Mesh Ring on her fingers.
7. SAC was founded on the principle that every child deserves a secure environment to unleash their creativity and express themselves. What was and still is that sanctuary for you?
A secure space is where one can freely express themselves without fear of judgment. Art has always served as that sanctuary for me. This is why I ardently believe that every child should have access to art, as it can be a haven for them as well.
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Big Santi Disc Studs with the Amira Triple Ball Chain Choker on her neck, the Small Tala Cuff on each of her wrists; and Vesper Dual Ball Rings paired with the Amira Multi-ball Chain Ring & Lyla Mesh Ring on her fingers.
8. In what way do you perceive the arts transforming the perceptions of the adults you've collaborated with?
Art is a potent tool that can captivate and empower an entire room of people, cultivating skills that foster awareness, compassion, and creativity. Art is the most universal language. In our recent issue of our digital magazine, Art Speaks, we interviewed individuals from various walks of life. From a renowned chef to lawyers, each conveyed how art is more about the emotions it elicits, how it nurtures their creativity within their professions, and acknowledges its therapeutic capacity in helping them cope with life's stresses. Engaging with the arts enables adults to tap into their inner child, fostering playfulness and imagination. I collaborate with a fantastic team of 15 creative individuals who live and breathe art. Together, we have created environments that are secure, liberating, and stimulating for individuals to co-create and learn, which has, in turn, been a wellspring of inspiration for me.
9. Could you draw something for us?
Prompt: Under the moonlight.
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Small Tala Cuff on each of her wrists; and Vesper Dual Ball Rings paired with the Amira Multi-ball Chain Ring & Lyla Mesh Ring on her fingers.
10. What are you taking with you in 2024 and what are you letting out?
As we enter 2024, I'm carrying forth a fervour for nurturing creativity and self-expression in children through arts education. I'm shedding any obstacles that impede equitable access to artistic opportunities, aiming for a more inclusive and empowering educational environment.
Pictured above: Chhavi wears the Big Santi Disc Studs with the Amira Triple Ball Chain Choker on her neck.
11. What is the importance of Social-Emotional Learning ( SEL )?
It is widely recognised that skills and competencies such as creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence are highly sought after in today's workplaces. However, there is a lack of emphasis on holistically and creatively developing children, especially those from underserved communities. Academic growth has consistently taken precedence over the development of these vital skills. Moreover, pedagogical methods employed in public schools and affordable private schools are outdated and have not kept pace with the changing world, as there remains a gap in the teacher-training infrastructure needed to effectively implement holistic education.
While certain reforms are outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, their implementation is not projected until 2030-2040, potentially rendering current learning models irrelevant. From a student's perspective, they lack an outlet to express their true desires in their educational journey, and are not exposed to tools and methods that foster creative thinking, imagination, and collaboration. As a result, they often grow up with low levels of confidence, struggle with communication, and face challenges in building and maintaining healthy relationships and collective problem-solving.
Even educators feel powerless, unsure of how to create safe and joyful learning environments for their students. Overwhelmed by numerous responsibilities, they find themselves unable to learn and grow due to a lack of contextualised resources and training that would enable the adoption and practice of innovative learning methodologies. This creates a disconnect between educators and their students, impeding their ability to understand their students' needs.
12. Going forward, what are some of your goals?
In the coming year, I am looking forward to partnering with the city's municipal corporation to implement our SEL and visual arts curriculum in various schools across Bombay. We are grateful to have partnered with large-scale organisations such as Pratham to expand our reach across different regions in the country. The Early Childhood Visual Arts and SEL Art Education Initiative is an exciting and pioneering effort in the country, and we have been gaining recognition on international platforms, giving a voice to our children. Our research and development wing is publishing insights from the ground through our very own open-source e-magazine, Art Speaks.
Also, if you are reading this, I must invite you to SAC’s End-of-Year Showcase, where our young artists will be showcasing their artworks. Keep an eye out for the dates and venue details on @saturdayartclass.