Her World

Certificates and accolades

Amma has been very passionate about pursuing artwork, rangoli, cookery, doll making, fabric painting, batik, crochet and cake decorations in different stages of her life. Her passion made her participate in competitions in some of which she was judged as the prize winner. Many of her artwork and handicrafts have been published in newspapers and magazines. We show you a sample of these below.

Notable certificates are in cookery, baking, fabric painting, drawing etc. The prizes she won in competitions include baking and rangoli. Her students have also gifted her silver items in appreciation of her teaching – all this 50 years ago!

She has been written about in tamil magazines Kumkumam and Kumudam and also in local newspapers.

All, a fitting tribute to Amma’s multifaceted talent!

22 documents, grouped the way the family grouped them.

Newspaper clipping headed Excel in Rangoli: Puranic themes favourites of Lakshmi Santhanam, with a photograph of her drawing on the floor
Excel in Rangoli, a newspaper feature

Cooking

  • A Tamil magazine page dated 14.9.97 with a photograph of Lakshmi Santhanam seated among her products
    Tamil magazine feature 14 September 1997
  • A page from the Tamil magazine Kumkumam with a portrait of Lakshmi Santhanam beside the article
    Kumkumam magazine article
  • Participation certificate from the Monday Charity Club, Soundarya Ladies Club, for a cookery competition at the club's silver jubilee celebrations, Madras, 8 January 1995
    Soundarya Ladies Club cookery competition 8 January 1995
  • Certificate from Susan's School of Culinary Arts awarding S. Lakshmi the second prize in group VII at a cake decoration competition held on 30 December 1984
    Cake decoration competition, second prize 30 December 1984
  • Certificate of merit from the Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, Madras, awarded to Lakshmi Santhanam for third prize in cake decoration at Catefete '84
    Catefete '84, certificate of merit 5 February 1984

Drawing and painting

  • Diploma from Santhanu's Chitra Vidyalayam, India, certifying that Mrs Lakshmi Santhanam completed the course of study, March 1970
    Diploma in art March 1970
  • Certificate of merit from Camlin awarded to Mrs Lakshmi Santhanam for completing a course in Crylin painting in A+ grade, dated 8 July 1970
    Crylin painting, A+ grade 8 July 1970

Dolls

  • Certificate of merit and appreciation from the International Doll and Educational Exhibition, Madras, for excellent dolls made and displayed at Memorial Hall, 21 to 30 November 1975
    International Doll and Educational Exhibition, Madras November 1975

Miscellaneous

  • A collage of colour photographs of Lakshmi Santhanam receiving awards and shaking hands at prize distributions
    Receiving awards
  • A Tamil newspaper clipping about starting a business, with a portrait of Lakshmi Santhanam
    Tamil newspaper feature on her business
  • Certificate from the NSIC Prototype Development and Training Centre, Guindy, Madras, for a three-day technical seminar on women entrepreneurs in footwear and leather goods manufacture, 14 to 16 November 1995
    NSIC seminar for women entrepreneurs 14 to 16 November 1995
  • Certificate in Hindi from the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha for the Rashtrabhasha examination, 1951
    Hindi Rashtrabhasha examination 1951
  • An octagonal white stone plaque engraved Presented by Muthukrishnammal, Vani Kala Nilayam, 22-10-1959
    Presentation plaque 22 October 1959
  • A small octagonal silver box embossed with dancing figures, a gift from her students
    Silver box from her students
  • A fluted silver vase engraved with vines, on a wooden table, a gift from her students
    Silver vase from her students

Rangoli

  • Newspaper clipping headed Excel in Rangoli: Puranic themes favourites of Lakshmi Santhanam, with a photograph of her drawing on the floor
    Excel in Rangoli, newspaper feature
  • Newspaper feature headed an artist to her finger tips, by Sydney G. Smith, with a photograph of Lakshmi Santhanam at work
    An artist to her finger tips
  • The second column of the newspaper feature on her rangoli, with a photograph of a doll set
    An artist to her finger tips, continued
  • A second copy of the Excel in Rangoli newspaper clipping, with photographs of her drawing
    Excel in Rangoli, second copy
  • Certificate from Garden City Jaycees, Bangalore: the judges of the Rangoli Art Contest held on 13 September 1977 found the entry of Smt Lakshmi Santhanam of exceptional merit
    Garden City Jaycees rangoli award 13 September 1977

Carnatic music

  • Government of Madras Technical Examinations certificate: S. Lakshmi passed the Higher Examination in Indian Music (vocal) at Cuddalore in November 1950, placed in the second class
    Higher grade, Indian music (vocal) November 1950
  • Government of Madras Technical Examinations certificate: S. Lakshmi passed the Lower Examination in Indian Music (vocal) at Cuddalore in November 1949, placed in the first class
    Lower grade, Indian music (vocal) November 1949