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Kadalaadu Kaadai 

Kadalaadu  Kaadai  is  a  journey  into  the  lives  of  one  of  Tamil  Nadu’s  most  vibrant occupational  groups.  With  history  dating  back  to  the  Sangam  Era,  Neidal  people (fisherfolk)  are  custodians  of  rich  and  diverse  cultures.  Their  chronicles  are  adorned with stories of valour, empathy and autonomy. 

Their in-depth knowledge and skills in building  seafaring  vessels,  well  before  the  first  instance  of  modern  ship  building,  is amply recorded through various artistic and literary edifices. The astute acumen they possess in trade and commerce seminally contributed to the economy of Tamil Nadu.

 

From time immemorial, Neidal people have repeatedly faced devastations brought on by both natural and man-caused disasters. Their skills and the ability to sustain in the harshest of environments stand testimony to their resilience. However, these hardships including rapid depletion of sea resources, decreasing autonomy over their lives and livelihoods,   and   amassment   of   their   land   and   resources   for   industrialisation/ corporatisation all cause severe discord and violence between these once close-knit communities.    

A campaign to set new narratives

We have travelled across all 14 coastal districts of Tamil Nadu documenting untold elements of the lives and livelihoods of  Tamil fisherfolk including, social structures, traditional knowledge systems, depleting sea resources, climate crisis, women’s participation in labour and cultural practices. This process entailed  listening  to  oral  traditions  and  translating them into consumable audio-visual and written material. We then created a public campaign to raise awareness, address stigma and build strong positive narratives to bring about a shift in mindset. Beyond driving public opinion this campaign became an aid for opening up dialogue with the Government on targeted policy building.

Fisherwomen in Leadership!

Women constitute mover than half the labour force in the fisheries sector. Yet fisherwomen face problems such as...

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  • Lack of mobilisation and collectivisation 

  • Lack of representation in decision making 

  • Lack of recognition by Government authorities

 

Kaani Nilam (Ek Potlee Ret Ki) joined FishMARC, a Chennai based NGO, to mobilise over 3000 women fishers and set up Chennai Magalir Meen Virpanaiyaalar Amaippu (Chennai Women Fish Vendor's Association), a first-of-its-kind all-women registered organisation for fish vendors in the city.

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Through this association, we work on access to rights, co-develop and execute various capacity building activities and undertake advocacy efforts. 

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