Passion In A Nutshell

Anju Asokan

Photography Credits : Nyx Malfoy

In the life of a former biochemistry professor Dr. Shamsia Banu, sea shells seem to figuratively be all over the place. As she narrates how she found the hobby of her dreams, she reminisces through times that led to the pursuit of her passion - sea shells and everything about it.

Enter Blue Beach Road, along the East Coast road, a mini ecosystem by itself is Dr. Shamsia’s residence that welcomes warmly with the calliphonious amplification of a string of shells brushing against one another to the rhythm of breeze. Right beside it is an oval mirror majestically decorated with a variety of shells, neatly decked in shape. It would not come off as a surprise for one to witness every artefact inside her home to be designed intricately with shells. Ranging from welcome vases, long mirrors, wall pieces to night bulbs, card holders, photo frames and much more. Having retired from her job as the head of the biochemistry department with Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women, she found solace in her pleasant evening walks by the beach every day. Incidentally, as shells happened to lay there untouched and untamed, she would collect them in her pouch, which would soon become her designated shell collection pouch. “I would compel anyone accompanying me for the walk to collect some along with me” she chuckles. “On one such evening, I discovered an advertisement on a newspaper, calling for interested candidates to attend a workshop on shell art. Why not? I thought to myself.” she recalls. “With the basic knowledge of how to go about with pasting and arranging the shells, I started out.” From that point on as she claims the beachcombing for shells drastically increased, so much that she needed to buy more to make artefacts.

“I started off by making simple flowers with mother of pearls and the shells I found locally at the beach. As it gave me more satisfaction, I ventured into making useful things like fridge magnets, bookmarks and even chains and other fashion accessories that young women like to wear.” she says. Pointing out to the abundance of shells, she talks about the 60-year-old godown in Washermanpet, who she acquires her supplies from in kilograms and pieces. Over the years, having bonded with fishermen who collected the shells, she has a collection of shells that are now banned from acquisition or are soon to be banned.

Owning a collection of things that are primarily built with shells from scratch, some of the aesthetic ones include flower bouquets and baskets that she makes exclusively for her Christian clients, on the occasion of their weddings. She owns a label “Blue Beach Shells” and accepts orders for gifting such as candle stands, jewellery boxes in different sizes and patterns. “Creativity is in vogue” she reasons.

Dr. Shamsia also conducts workshops at her residence for people interested by publishing it in the hyperlocal newspapers and accommodates students of varied age and occupations. What started off as imparting skills gradually transformed into a full-fledged certified course with a curriculum including projects and examinations. “I used to be a professor; you see. Can’t do without exams” she laughs. “I also conduct competitions for them, call a panel of judges to rank them. More often than not, I make their prizes, with shells.” “I teach my students the names of about a hundred basic shells in both Tamil and English so they can order online for themselves using the English names such as Amboniums and Cauris. However, if they go to a local store to get it, they will have to know the colloquial names. For example, in the godown where I get my supplies from, I’ll have to go ask for Kaaka mooku and Paambu Kannu, button shell etc.,” she says As a member of the World Craft Council, with such groomed skills, she is also a part of a forum that imparts the same to students of government schools in and around the city. “I enjoy teaching students of 6th to 9th grade how to handle shells. The joy after they finish a simple flower is unmatched.” she adds. She is also the recipient of eminent laurels such as the 2014 Sanibel Shell Show’s ‘Best Flower Exhibit Professional’ and an illustrious array of international awards. On a frequent time-scale, she puts up exhibitions in events happening in and around the city. Buva House in Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, has been her recent one. Beyond all that, however, the most intriguing part of her passion is sharing it with her family. True mirth is all hers when her grandson in the US has a whole playroom of his shell art and is as fascinated as she is about it. “Whenever I go visit them, I teach Azlaan shell art. Something simple, something he can do it by himself. He shows them all to his friends, proudly exclaiming the skills he acquired from his grandma. Such moments and such moments only” she says “are worth living for.”