VICTORIA TRAINING INSTITUTE 

Any account of social service in arts and crafts in Tamil Nadu will not be complete without the mention of the work undertaken by the Victoria Technical Institute (VTI).

The institute is associated with the best that is found in the field of Indian art and crafts, playing the role of marketing platform for unknown craftsmen and talented artisans in the remote parts of the country.

Conceived as a charitable trust, essentially to extend a helping hand to the unknown genius lost in the villages, the institute came into being in October 1887 to commomerate the Jubliee of Her Majesty the Queen Empress Victoria. The Memorial Hall, instituted in memory of Queen Victoria on Pantheon Road in 1909, offers technical and industrial education in cooperation with the VTI. This hall in sandstone, is one of the finest pieces of architecture in Chennai.

Counsellors attached to the institute frequently undertake tours to towns and villages. They meet craftsmen and convince them that their works can be sold. The institute also ensures that the craftsmen rectifies faults in design and workmanship.

There are presently more than one thousand craftsmen supplying goods to the institute. The institute also grant scholarships to students studying in different schools of arts in the State. Crafts exhibitions are held frequently.

With the starting of the South Indian Women's Work Room in 1919, the institute assists charitable institutions in finding a market for the beautiful needlework produced by women in South India. The Work Room donates all profits annually, to various charitable organisations in and around Chennai. From 1982, VTI has been presenting to the discerning public, exclusive art specially chosen from different parts of India representing local heritage and culture.

VTI also offers a two-year training programme in art and crafts at Mahabalipuram and Kumbakonam. Persons above 16 years of age are eligible for the course. The institute admits only 10 students at a time. The prospective candidates are required to attend an interview. Interviews are conducted in May/June, every year. After training, financial assistance isiven to deserving students for starting their own unit.

VTI now plans to construct a multi-storeyed complex on Anna Salai. The complex will have art galleries, an auditorium, permanent production cum sales and exhibition halls. Crafts training centres will be promoted in rural areas for the continuous, on-going process of unearthing latent talents.

Address: VTI, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002.
Phone: 852 3141 / 3153

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