Page 158 - Magazine 2022-intractive flip

Interview by Jovitta C S
II BA English Literature

Q. ‘Ittichiri’, ‘Dodopakshi’, ‘Dodopeedika’. The
names you’ve associated with yourself and your
vocation are pretty unique ma;am, to say the
least. Could you elaborate on this interesting
selection of words through a self-introduction?
Ans. In my initial Instagram days, my friend Anand
suggested the name Dodo Pakshi to me. He calls
me Dodo sometimes and a Pakshi who observes
everything, and reflecting on some good initiatives
and ideas from around the world didn’t seem like
such a bad idea.
And then when I eventually started a business, I
came up with Peedika.’ Peedikas’ to me are those
humble neighbourhood shops that I have seen
growing up, with everything a person could ask
for. They are also package free if you have noticed.
They give you pulses and spices in cute ‘potlams’
made from newspaper, skilfully tied using coir. We
are a package-free store too. So in many ways, the
ST.TERESA’S COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS), ERNAKULAM
name sounded apt.
Ittichiri is who I am now. She is a character from
a ballad my Ammama used to sing to me; an
unstoppable woman. In the song, she has a broken
leg and still, she somehow makes it to a ‘pooram’
because she set her mind to it. I felt so connected
to her. I express in her name, these days.

Me in a hand-me-down saree. Responsible fashion is a Q. What was your educational journey? Has
topic close to my heart. I make sure everyone in the room the education you received contributed to the
knows that my outfit is borrowed or thrifted.
growth you’ve made as a person?
Ans. At college, I did a Masters in Zoology. I
specialised in Agricultural Entomology, you know,
about the role of insects in agriculture and in
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