<div>Think of any waste material and this 74-year-old woman, Sumathi Shetty, can convert them into a showpiece. <br /><br />While the used mineral water bottles have been transformed into beautiful flowers (and they look fresh even after five years), the dried coconuts have turned out to be showpieces, painted egg shells look like coloured bulbs, ice cream cups seem like decorative materials, vegetable seeds have become links for chains and broomstick handles have turned out to be flower vases.<br /><br />On the other hand, the painted Mangalore tiles have become a wall to her garden and the painted dry tree branches look like ‘coffee plants’ that are available at a high price in some showrooms. And all these lie outside her house at Pallekudru in Kemral Gram Panchayat limits situated between Pakshikere and Kinnigoli, about 30 km from Mangaluru.<br /><br />When you enter Sumathi Shetty’s house, aptly named ‘Mahalakshmi’, a whole new world opens up — the neatly maintained flower vases, colourful baskets (woven by her with a special kind of local grass which is available only about 15 to 20 days in a year, as she claims), dry leaves painted to look like green leaves and papers cut into flower shapes. The list is long. In fact, Sumathi has converted every little item, which is generally considered waste into a piece of art, which may not be available in the market even if you want to buy it.<br /><br />Right from sapota tree to pear, pomegranate, pineapple, egg fruit, gooseberry, blueberry, Indian blackberry, Indian hog plum and 10 varieties of mango trees, Sumathi has grown various types of plants too. Cinnamon, curry leaves, coriander and leafy vegetables are some other plants to mention. She has a flower garden with different types of crotons and rare flowers.<br /><br />Ask when she finds time to do the work in the garden, pat comes the reply: “I wake up at 5.30 am everyday and try to finish all the work by early morning. I can paint a clay pot or tile in a jiffy,” she exclaims. Even while watching television, she keeps herself busy — maybe by weaving a basket or stitching cloth.<br /><br />Sumathi, who lost her husband a decade ago, was wrongly diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo multiple surgeries as a result. Though her children and grandchildren reside in different cities, she prefers to stay in the warmth of her village. Despite possessing so many physical difficulties, she has a positive outlook towards life and wants to make the best of everything she has.<br /></div>
<div>Think of any waste material and this 74-year-old woman, Sumathi Shetty, can convert them into a showpiece. <br /><br />While the used mineral water bottles have been transformed into beautiful flowers (and they look fresh even after five years), the dried coconuts have turned out to be showpieces, painted egg shells look like coloured bulbs, ice cream cups seem like decorative materials, vegetable seeds have become links for chains and broomstick handles have turned out to be flower vases.<br /><br />On the other hand, the painted Mangalore tiles have become a wall to her garden and the painted dry tree branches look like ‘coffee plants’ that are available at a high price in some showrooms. And all these lie outside her house at Pallekudru in Kemral Gram Panchayat limits situated between Pakshikere and Kinnigoli, about 30 km from Mangaluru.<br /><br />When you enter Sumathi Shetty’s house, aptly named ‘Mahalakshmi’, a whole new world opens up — the neatly maintained flower vases, colourful baskets (woven by her with a special kind of local grass which is available only about 15 to 20 days in a year, as she claims), dry leaves painted to look like green leaves and papers cut into flower shapes. The list is long. In fact, Sumathi has converted every little item, which is generally considered waste into a piece of art, which may not be available in the market even if you want to buy it.<br /><br />Right from sapota tree to pear, pomegranate, pineapple, egg fruit, gooseberry, blueberry, Indian blackberry, Indian hog plum and 10 varieties of mango trees, Sumathi has grown various types of plants too. Cinnamon, curry leaves, coriander and leafy vegetables are some other plants to mention. She has a flower garden with different types of crotons and rare flowers.<br /><br />Ask when she finds time to do the work in the garden, pat comes the reply: “I wake up at 5.30 am everyday and try to finish all the work by early morning. I can paint a clay pot or tile in a jiffy,” she exclaims. Even while watching television, she keeps herself busy — maybe by weaving a basket or stitching cloth.<br /><br />Sumathi, who lost her husband a decade ago, was wrongly diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo multiple surgeries as a result. Though her children and grandchildren reside in different cities, she prefers to stay in the warmth of her village. Despite possessing so many physical difficulties, she has a positive outlook towards life and wants to make the best of everything she has.<br /></div>
