Sparks fly on these dates … so does sawdust

CHENNAI: IT professionals Abhishek Kumar and his wife Kalpana Sharma from OMR rarely found activities they both enjoyed. Their interests never quite aligned, says Abhishek, but that was until he signed them up for a woodworking workshop on a whim. “That’s when we realised we had stumbled upon something we could do together,” says Abhishek.
“The idea that a plain, solid block can be converted into something functional and beautiful got our interest. We got to see each other’s creative side while working on a piece, and I feel this has brought us closer,” he says.
From young couples like Abhishek and Kalpana to senior citizens, more people are swapping beach walks and coffee for chisels and sandpaper. Mean while, working professionals are turning to woodworking to unwind — choosing to build furniture instead of scrolling through screens.
Kochi-based interior designer, Paul Thomas, who recently organised a workshop in his hometown, says, “We had couples of all ages from teens to elders spending their Sunday evening building something together. The rea son this is picking up in Kochi now is because when it comes to craft-orientated workshops, only pottery and baking are prominent here. People want a more hands-on experience, and something they can do together.”
The craft has also found a place in the hearts of teenagers, working professionals and retirees who are interested in craft. The largest group is people who work in the IT and design fields.
Sudhir Jonathan, an IT professional from Alwarpet, says, “My work requires me to do a lot of talking and visualising. But I’ve always had an interest in creating something. That’s what motivated me to join the wood working workshop; after I learned the basics, I’ve become unstoppable. I’ve been making a lot of furniture at home like stools and benches.”
Most workshops begin with the basics, says Shailna Wadhwa, co-founder of Studio Clutter where a lot of couples come in on woodworking dates. “How to choose raw materials, how many nails, wood, and what tools they would need. We teach them how to hold the tools, as technique is important.” Participants are then taught to build objects like stools, shoe racks and keyholders.
Lakshmi Thyagarajan, senior education coordinator at DakshinaChitra, says their upcoming woodworking workshop on April 19 at DakshinaChitra, to be taught by a local carpenter, will be focusing on how to use power tools such as table saws, drills, and jigsaws to build a garden shelf.
“Wood working is no longer seen as an artisanal pursuit, rather as a more accessible craft open to all. That’s what makes this special,” she says.