Sustainability usually arrives with instructions. What to buy, what to avoid, what to fix, what to improve. It often feels like a checklist, or worse, a moral test.
Auroville didn’t work like that.
Instead of telling you what sustainable living is supposed to look like, it lets you notice it on your own. Over time, certain patterns start to repeat themselves. Not in an obvious way, and not as lessons exactly, but as everyday realities that slowly reshape how you think about comfort, excess, and value.
These are a few of the things that stood out.
1. Luxury Isn’t Always Designer
In most urban settings, luxury is tied to choice and control. Being able to customize everything, upgrade constantly, and replace what no longer feels perfect is often treated as a sign of success. In Auroville, luxury shows up in quieter ways.
Here, luxury looks like space to breathe, time without urgency, and environments that don’t ask you to perform. Comfort isn’t created through polish or aesthetics, but through ease. There’s less pressure to consume in order to belong, and more acceptance of what already exists.
It reframes luxury as something experiential rather than material. Less about what you own, more about how you move through your day.
2. Simplicity Works When It’s Normal
Clothing Rack at Colors of Nature Photo Shoot
One of the reasons sustainability feels achievable in Auroville is because it isn’t framed as a special effort. People reuse towels, share resources, and eat what’s prepared without much discussion. These practices aren’t highlighted or praised; they’re simply part of daily life.
When simplicity is treated as normal rather than virtuous, it stops feeling restrictive. There’s no pressure to “do it right.” You adjust naturally, because that’s how the environment functions.
This normalization makes sustainability feel less like a personal burden and more like a shared rhythm.
3. Slow Is a Feature, Not a Bug
Life in Auroville moves at a noticeably slower pace. Walking, cycling, and simple vehicles shape how people move through space. Distances feel longer, but time feels less compressed.
At first, this can feel inefficient. Over time, it becomes grounding. Slowness allows attention to expand. You notice light, sounds, and small changes in your surroundings. Conversations stretch without interruption.
Instead of feeling behind, you begin to feel present. Slowness becomes a form of awareness rather than delay.
4. Community Doesn’t Need Matching Behavior
During events like the Light Mandala meditation, people gather without being asked to behave in a particular way. Some sit still for hours, others move in and out. Children wander quietly, adults adjust positions, visitors observe.
What’s striking is that the lack of control doesn’t disrupt the space. It strengthens it. Shared presence matters more than uniform participation.
This approach to community allows difference without tension. It shows that cohesion doesn’t require sameness, only mutual respect.
5. Objects Are Allowed to Have a Past
Collection of Cameras at YATRA
Throughout Auroville, objects show signs of use. Clothing racks hold items that have already lived full lives. Tools and equipment are repaired, reused, and stored carefully rather than replaced.
There’s no attempt to hide age or wear. Instead, longevity is valued. Objects aren’t treated as disposable, and their history is visible.
This approach shifts how value is assigned. Something doesn’t lose worth because it’s old; it gains it because it continues to serve a purpose.
6. You Don’t Need to Optimize Everything
In many environments, life is optimized down to the smallest detail. Comfort is curated, preferences are prioritized, and inconvenience is avoided whenever possible. In Auroville, optimization isn’t the goal.
Meals aren’t customized. Spaces aren’t adjusted for individual comfort. And yet, these environments feel surprisingly welcoming. Without constant tailoring, participation becomes easier. You stop evaluating and start engaging.
Letting go of optimization removes pressure. What’s left is a sense of ease that doesn’t rely on perfection.
7. Sustainability Isn’t the Point, Living Is
What stands out most is how rarely sustainability is mentioned. No one is trying to convince you of anything. Practices like reuse, shared meals, and slow movement exist without explanation.
Because of that, they endure.
Sustainability here isn’t treated as an identity or an achievement. It’s a byproduct of how people relate to space, time, and one another. It works because it fits into everyday life rather than standing apart from it.
The Takeaway No One Gave Me
Auroville didn’t offer a formula or a lifestyle to adopt. It offered a different way of paying attention. To time. To comfort. To excess.
Sustainability here isn’t aspirational. It’s practical. It doesn’t demand perfection, only awareness. And once you start noticing how much can be gained by needing less, it’s difficult not to carry that perspective with you.
What is Sadhana? A Mission Rooted in Compassion and Action
Stepping into Sadhana Forest, I found myself immersed in a space where every detail, from upcycled tire sculptures to solar-powered utilities, reflected a commitment to creating a better world. Removing our shoes and entering the main hut, which is made completely from natural materials, we were immediately impressed by the possibilities of another way of living.
Nestled over 70 acres near Auroville, this remarkable initiative goes beyond reforestation—its mission is to foster ecological restoration, compassion, and selfless service as part of a global movement.
Sadhana Forest, founded in 2003 by Yorit and Aviram Rozin along with their 1 year-old daughter, began with one family and a dream: to restore the native Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) ecosystem while creating a community built on kindness and inclusion. Today, that dream has blossomed into a global network with projects in Haiti, Kenya, Namibia, and multiple locations across India, inspiring thousands to take action for the environment and humanity.
Natural regeneration of Sadhana Forest from satellite
Aviram began our visit with an introductory talk on the philosophy and works of Sadhana. He explained that Sadhana means the search for the truth on one’s spiritual path, and their path and great effort has been reforestation and spreading a culture of vegan compassion. One of the things that stood out most was the emphasis on inclusivity. Sadhana Forest welcomes everyone, regardless of background, with only minimal time commitments (10 days for Indian volunteers, 20 for foreigners). This openness creates a space where diverse perspectives come together, fostering collaboration rather than competition.
After starting with one family, today there 37 long term volunteers, including half a dozen growing families, as well as 60+ volunteers, who are currently giving between 1 and 10 months of their time. He explains that Sadhana has the capacity to host up to 195 people, making clear that they will never say no to anyone that may come. Answering a question from the audience of over 100 people, he explains that those that who come for short term contribute money for their food (3 meals a day), while long term folks are supported by the community, giving back through their time and labor.
Just like the forest, Sadhana is growing. Their future plans include integrating differently-abled individuals into the organization, as well as creating an orphanage for children with HIV, further illustrating their commitment to inclusivity and compassion. However, they’ve already expanded from their initial Auroville experiment to a total of 7 other centers – 1 in South Tamil Nadu, 1 in Kenya, 1 in Namibia, 1 in Haiti, & 3 in Northern India.
Sadhana Forest Haiti
After the introductory talk, Aviram takes us on a tour of the campus and an exploratory walk in the forest. It’s remarkable to me that walking barefoot through the forest, while avoiding painful stones and roots, one is reminded of the intentionality required in each step—an apt metaphor for the care and mindfulness that defines this community.
Water Conservation Strategies
Sadhana Forest is, as the name suggests, a forest, but for a forest to thrive, one essential ingredient is needed: water. When Sadhana Forest began, it was little more than a barren wasteland, plagued by water scarcity like much of Auroville. Water conservation became the cornerstone of their reforestation efforts, and their strategy revolves around the Triple S method— Slow, Spread, Sink.
Aviram explains that the team strives to catch every drop of rainwater as close as possible to where it falls. Interestingly, in water conservation, low-lying lakes are a sign of failure in water conservation. Such lakes indicate that water has flowed to the lowest point of the slope rather than staying on the land where it fell—vital for nourishing the soil and replenishing the underground aquifer. To counter this, Sadhana Forest employs a method called on-contouring, maintaining water at its topographical height instead of allowing it to run downhill. This ensures that rainwater not only sinks into the soil to nourish plants but also replenishes the groundwater aquifer.
The success of these water conservation efforts is evident throughout Sadhana Forest. Aviram highlights that retaining water on the land has allowed for the natural regeneration of vegetation. Interestingly, he observes that natural regeneration fosters greater biodiversity compared to human-planted species. He likens it to designing one’s own home—wildlife, as the true inhabitants of the forest, can create an ecosystem tailored to their needs, rather than adapting to a pre-designed system imposed by humans. Indigenous plants, spread by wildlife through seeds and droppings, establish a harmonious and self-sustaining ecosystem far superior to human-centric reforestation.
As we walked through the forest, Aviram pointed out various plants and explained their roles in water conservation. One striking example was vetiver, a grass with exceptionally deep roots that stabilize the soil and retain water. Similarly, the dodonaya plant thrives in arid conditions by capturing water from the air and storing it in its roots, helping to create moist, fertile soil. We also saw other water conservation techniques, including gabions (stone-filled metal cages), swales, and a man-made lake. The lake, while not ideal for the Triple S method, was a necessary adaptation due to the practices of a higher-elevation neighbor who doesn’t prioritize water conservation. Sadhana Forest has had to capture the water that runs off from this neighboring property to prevent it from being wasted.
Aviram pointing out a water conservation technique, a swale
During our visit, a curious tourist asked how Sadhana manages to address mosquitoes while maintaining their vegan and “do no harm” philosophy. Aviram explained that the key lies in controlling standing water, which disrupts mosquito breeding. Rather than killing mosquitoes, they simply ensure there’s no stagnant water for them to thrive. With a smile, he added that if any do appear, he prefers to swat them away gently rather than harm them.
Sadhana Forest’s water conservation strategies not only nurture a thriving ecosystem but also embody their broader values of harmony and sustainability. Their ability to transform a barren landscape into a flourishing forest is a testament to the power of intentionality and care for the Earth.
Fostering Sustainable Living
When we return from our forest walk, we are immersed in the heart of Sadhana’s community. Living at Sadhana Forest is a lesson in intentionality and simplicity. Every aspect of the community is designed to minimize environmental impact while fostering connection and joy.
The homes and dorms are constructed from renewable materials such as wood, granite, and tetrapacks (recycled milk cartons). Short-term volunteers sleep on rope beds, emphasizing the community’s low-impact ethos. Even everyday tasks like washing and cleaning reflect this intentionality—plates are cleaned using natural materials like coconut husks, ash, lemon water, and vinegar, ensuring all waste is biodegradable. Their handwashing stations are ingeniously simple, using cups with small holes that allow water to flow gently, paired with naturally derived soap. This clever design minimizes water waste while maintaining hygiene.
Sadhana Forest operates completely off the grid, a testament to its commitment to sustainable living. Aviram shared a nostalgic story about the community’s early days, when they used dynamo bikes to generate electricity before transitioning to solar panels and wind turbines. Although no longer in use, the bikes are preserved as a reminder of their humble beginnings. Today, all Sadhana sites around the world—whether in India, Kenya, or Haiti—are powered entirely by solar and wind energy, providing reliable electricity and hot water. While they occasionally face challenges during heavy monsoon seasons due to cloud cover, their resourcefulness ensures sustainability remains at the forefront.
The kitchen is also a hub of activity and efficiency, equipped with industrial-sized pots and pans and a large reverse osmosis water filter to maintain the highest standards of hygiene. That evening, we enjoyed a delicious vegan dinner made from locally sourced ingredients—a meal that reflected the community’s values of sustainability and compassion.
The Sadhana Forest community kitchen
After dinner, the team shared short videos detailing the mission and history of Sadhana Forest. The evening concluded with a powerful 45-minute documentary on veganism, which explored the devastating impacts of industrial agriculture on climate change, human health, and animal welfare. The statistics were staggering: 30 million deaths globally linked to lifestyle-related diseases, the overexploitation of 90% of the world’s fisheries, and the brutal realities of dairy and egg farming. The documentary was both eye-opening and transformative, reinforcing the message and values at the heart of Sadhana Forest.
Our delicious vegan dinner provided by Sadhana Forest
The Values of Sadhana
At the basis of Sadhana is its vegan ethos of compassion. Aviram explains that veganism is more than just a diet; it’s an extension of their mission to live in harmony with nature and ensure that resources are used equitably and efficiently.
The first form of compassion is of course towards the land, which they seek to help prosper through their forestry, and from which they take no more than what they need. All of the buildings on the property are made from from natural materials. The second form of compassion is towards animals. Aviram makes it clear that the love of animals is central to Sadhana, and that no animal deserves to be tied, raped, or exploited in any way. I really appreciated that Aviram stressed the fact that animals have a right to live, even if they don’t give you something. It was nice to step out of the typical anthropocentrism, and he reminded us that part of Sadhana’s mission is to create a world without speciesism; other beings and nature are not just there to serve humans. This was reflected in the forest’s Guashala, a cow sanctuary for abused and abandoned cows. There, the cows are treated with the utmost respect with wonderful veterinary care, fresh water & food, & love. We were lucky enough to attend a cow connection workshop, where we bonded with a beautiful bull named Vishnu.
Our Cow Connection Workshop
The third example of compassion is compassion towards children. This was actually one of the most interesting and potentially controversial aspects of their philosophy. At Sadhana, they believe in natural learning & they call it “Unschooling”. Instead of sending their children to formal schools, they prioritize time spent with family and community, allowing learning to emerge naturally through curiosity and exploration. For example, if a child sees an airplane and asks about it, their parents might explain that people are flying through the sky from one place to another. This simple explanation could spark a deeper curiosity, leading the child to explore concepts like aerodynamics, engineering, or math.
I find this mindset inspiring—it celebrates freedom and the innate curiosity of children. When balanced with some structure or formal learning, it could provide a wonderful foundation for creativity and critical thinking. However, taken to its extreme, this philosophy can have drawbacks. I’ve heard anecdotal cases where teens raised in such environments struggled with basic skills, such as writing their own name. Nonetheless, Sadhana’s approach challenges us to rethink education and reminds us of the power of curiosity-driven learning.
Finally, Sadhana Forest embraces collaboration over competition, intentionally fostering an environment where individuals work together rather than competing against one another. This philosophy extends into their economic system, where they practice a gift economy—a model rooted in kindness, generosity, and the joy of giving. At Sadhana, everything is offered freely, with no expectation of reciprocity. Meals, education, and workshops are available to anyone who comes, all provided as acts of care and compassion.This approach profoundly disrupts the typical capitalistic incentives of greed and transactional exchanges. Instead, the gift economy shifts focus to the intrinsic value of giving and creates a space where every action is imbued with thoughtfulness and care. It encourages people to give not because they must, but because they wish to contribute to something greater than themselves.
Aviram, the founder, explains that Sadhana Forest is a place designed to remind people that kindness still exists in the world. By offering this generosity unconditionally, Sadhana hopes to inspire a deeper connection between people and their values. This is also why veganism, a core tenet of Sadhana, is framed as an extension of kindness—toward animals, people, and the Earth. In this way, the gift economy not only sustains Sadhana Forest but also embodies its mission of compassion and community, creating a living example of a world driven by care rather than commerce.
Sadhana’s Projects: Global Reach, Local Impact
Beyond forestry, Sadhana Forest offers a variety of innovative and impactful activities that reflect its broader mission. One such initiative is Children’s Land, a 2.7-acre space launched in 2009 to empower children to engage creatively with sustainability. Here, children initiate or participate in activities as they choose, fostering independent thinking and a deep connection to the natural world. This program has been met with enthusiastic feedback from children, parents, and teachers, inspiring Sadhana to expand its reach. Another cherished initiative is the TeaHut, which serves free, vegan tea every weekday, embodying Sadhana’s commitment to inclusivity and generosity. The community also nurtures personal and global transformation through its University of Compassion, offering workshops and programs that align with its values of kindness and sustainability.
While Sadhana Forest began in India, its philosophy has transcended borders. In Kenya, the organization collaborates with the Samburu tribe to plant indigenous, drought-resistant food forests, ensuring biodiversity, food security, and shade for local communities. In Namibia, long-term volunteers work closely with local populations, committing to year-long stays to fully integrate and address community-specific needs. These global projects not only restore degraded ecosystems but also empower local people to reclaim and protect government-designated “wastelands” from encroachment. By doing so, Sadhana Forest fosters a deep sense of ownership and connection to the land.
These initiatives are unified by a single vision: to heal the Earth and cultivate compassion through reforestation, water conservation, and community building. Supported by individual donations, grants, and partnerships with organizations like UNDP and the Government of India, Sadhana Forest’s work has garnered global recognition. Whether through planting trees or empowering the next generation, Sadhana Forest remains a testament to the transformative power of sustainability, kindness, and collaboration.
Reflections on Community and Connection
Sadhana Forest offers a powerful model for addressing global challenges like deforestation, water scarcity, and social inequality. By combining ecological restoration with a philosophy of compassion, they demonstrate that sustainability isn’t just about planting trees—it’s about redefining our relationship with the Earth and each other. Their initiatives, from Children’s Land to global reforestation projects, are a testament to the transformative potential of intentional, community-driven action.
Take, for example, Amman, a former corporate professional from Bali, who left the comforts of a cushy job to join Sadhana Forest. His motivations stemmed from a deep commitment to veganism, a love for animals, and a yearning for a sense of community that capitalism failed to fulfill. Now, he spends his days planting in the wet season, mulching in the dry season, and caring for the cows in Sadhana’s sanctuary. Amman’s story reflects the larger ethos of Sadhana Forest: finding purpose and joy in simplicity, compassion, and shared effort.
On a personal level, my time at Sadhana Forest inspired me to reevaluate my own habits and assumptions. The intentionality of their work—from water conservation to vegan living—reminded me that small, thoughtful actions can lead to profound change. Every initiative, whether it’s teaching children about sustainability, empowering local communities to reclaim their land, or fostering kindness through a gift economy, serves as an invitation to think differently about how we live and what we value. My visit to Sadhana Forest was more than just a tour; it was a call to action and reflection. In a world often dominated by division and exploitation, Sadhana Forest stands as a beacon of possibility: a place where kindness, sustainability, and community thrive together.
How can you support Sadhana Forest? By becoming a regular donor. Aviram emphasizes that their primary source of income is individual donations, and while the size of the donation matters less, its consistency is key to sustaining their work. With tax-exempt status in multiple countries, supporting Sadhana is both impactful and accessible. I invite you to explore their programming and become part of this inspiring movement at the link here. Together, we can help Sadhana Forest continue to grow, heal, and inspire.
Started in 1996 by a group of Aurovilians, one of them being British-born Krishna McKenzie, Solitude Farm & Café is a natural farm in Auroville revitalizing the nutritional heritage of the Tamil Nadu region through revolutionary, anti-colonial agricultural practices.
Solitude’s natural farming modus operandi is inspired by the philosophy of Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka. Fukuoka is often celebrated for his contributions to permaculture and natural farming. Unlike organic farming, natural farming—also known as “do-nothing” farming—imitates the ways of nature. Zero fertilizers are added to the soil or given to plants. Instead, natural farming relies on microorganisms and earthworms to naturally decompose organic matter and nourish the soil. And just like in nature, there is no plowing, tilling or weeding done to the farm (Chandel and Jangilwad).
“When we look at the [industrialized] agricultural practices we have today, we plow the land, we compress the soil, we put chemicals on it—we kill this soil,” says McKenzie. “And as we kill this soil, we destroy ourselves as cultures. We lose our wellbeing. We develop lifestyle diseases. We create climate change.”
Compared to organic farming, natural farming has a lower carbon footprint. It is also extremely inexpensive, relying on the resources provided by the earth (Chandel and Jangilwad).
Our harvest of butterfly pea flowers and other crops native to Tamil Nadu.
Another benefit of natural farming: It celebrates native foods by relying on a region’s natural biodiversity.
In 2008, with a need for financial durability and inspired by Fukuoka’s vision (McKenzie had the pleasure of meeting his hero in 2002, who championed natural farming on the barren land that were the farm grounds), McKenzie and his team turned to local foods, which grow easily and naturally, for their natural farm. The farm hosts a huge variety of weeds, edible flowers, fruits and grains native to Tamil Nadu like: papaya, guava, breadfruit, mangoes, okra, balloon vine, turkey berry, butterfly pea, hibiscus, millet, and red rice. These crops are then prepared and served at Solitude’s farm-to-plate café, often in their thali or daily plate from that morning’s harvest.
When speaking about the café, McKenzie refers to it as a blessing for the organization. “It’s been the catalyst for us to understand [the importance of eating local foods],” he says. These crops are often undervalued as a result of the mass commercialization of goods, he continues, causing nutritional homogeneity, and thus the loss of cultural identity and food diversity.
Preparing a salad from our harvest of native weeds and fruits alongside McKenzie from Solitude Farm.
In addition to preserving nutritional heritage through serving locally-grown meals, Solitude is also on a mission to educate future generations of natural farmers through their weekly farm tours, permaculture workshops and volunteer opportunities. The intensive three-day permaculture workshop introduces participants to permaculture field design and gives them the tools to start their own food forest or nursery. The month-long volunteer programs, meanwhile, allow volunteers to get more intimately involved with the organization—often assisting with educational programs, running farm tours, cooking in the café, and the making of ayurvedic powders.
Revisiting Fukuoka’s philosophy, farming was more than just growing food, it was a spiritual way of living (Kaundal et al.). At Solitude, they’re not only preserving cultural heritage and a bounty of crops that would otherwise be forgotten, but honoring the gifts of Mother Nature.
Final salad featuring lemon zest and a peanut-dressing.That day’s ‘thali’ or daily harvest plate.
Located at the edge of Auroville sits an epicenter for conscious fashion. The Colours of Nature, founded by Spanish-born Aurovilian Jesús Ciriza Larraona in 1993, is reviving indigenous dyeing practices one garment at a time. The environmentally-friendly clothing brand is a true changemaker in natural dyeing production, providing sustainable solutions to a largely unsustainable textile industry. (For your information, the fashion industry is the second largest consumer of water resources and is responsible for up to 8-percent of global carbon emissions, per Geneva Environment Network.) Marigold, pomegranate, upcycled jackfruit tree sawdust, acacia, and madder are just a few plants the organization works with to deliver their high-quality, vibrantly-hued garments. Nevertheless, no technique is as striking as their 100-percent natural indigo dyeing process.
Indigo dyed threads hanging to dry at The Colours of Nature.
Atop a powdery, smooth hazel-colored floor composed of cow dung sits an array of 62 vats, each with a capacity of 1,000 liters, where the fully natural indigo fermentation process takes place. Traditionally, indigo for dyeing requires a fermentation process—either through “staled” urine or by introducing naturally-occurring microbial communities. At The Colours of Nature they utilize bacteria to initiate and maintain the fermenting process. Looking into the full vats, one notices tiny, metallic blue bubbles, which signifies the final stages of the fermentation process. If left for too long, the liquid will overferment—changing hues from a neon blue to army green (Kabish et al.). After fermenting in the vat and being properly mixed with warm water, an employee who has been with the brand for over 29 years smells the final indigo solution to ensure the pH is correct before the dyeing process can begin. Smelling the indigo, one is taken on an olfactory trip to a farm pasture, bringing the mind and body back to the cow manure under one’s feet. The experience mirrors the closed-loop system The Colours of Nature is aiming to achieve—and they’re nearly there.
Employees mixing the indigo dye inside the fermentation vats.
Earlier this year the organization set new benchmarks in sustainable water management with the installation of an upgraded wastewater treatment system. The canonical tank filters are able to manage gray water from dye operations—extracting solid pigments from liquids—and sanitation to significantly reduce overall water usage and prevent environmental pollution. The goal is to reduce dependency on external freshwater sources by using recycled water that meets the brand’s needs. The entire project is expected to decrease the organization’s freshwater consumption by 30 to 40 percent, and reduce overall costs. Speaking about how the water filtration system works, one notices a sparkle in Jesús’s eyes. The Colours of Nature was born out of wanting to improve clean water management in the textile industry, says Petra, one of the brand’s employees, making this initiative a giant victory for them.
The Colours of Nature’s new wastewater filtration system separates solid pigments from liquids.
Not only is the organization one step closer to a closed-loop system within their brand, but they’re also helping to reverse the misuse and overconsumption of fresh water within fashion itself—setting an industry standard that’s worth taking notice of.
Nestled within the center of Auroville—where the ethos of unity and environmental awareness converge—The Colors of Nature stands out as an innovative initiative seamlessly merging philosophy and technology. Established by Jesus Ciriza Larraona, a Spanish-born Aurovillian, this organization embodies the alchemical transformation of raw materials into a dynamic, sustainable, and harmonious workspace.
At its philosophical core, The Colors of Nature draws inspiration from the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. The organization operates on the premise that textile should not impose on the environment but rather integrate with it—creating a dialogue between the hand-crafted and the natural—and this philosophical foundation shapes every aspect of their innovative approach to sustainable fashion.
Sustainable Threads: Weaving Collective Principles at The Colors of Nature
Within the landscape of ethical fashion—the universal inevitability of the fabric dyeing process echoes a shared human experience. The manner in which we navigate this transformative journey and the ethical values we champion throughout this profound passage serve as poignant reflections of our existential essence. At The Colors of Nature—the dyeing process transcends individual narratives—evolving into a collective exploration imbued with the core principles of integrity, collaboration, empathy, and a myriad of other ethical tenets. In this collaborative venture, each thread of fabric woven reflects not just a personal journey but a communal dedication to sustainable, harmonious, and ethical ‘Fashion’ and ‘fashion’ practices.
Authenticity in Sustainable Hues:
In the laborious yet rewarding sustainable coloring process at The Colors of Nature—integrity takes center stage as a commitment to authenticity and honoring individual narratives. The organization adopts a philosophy that encourages participants to engage in fabric dyeing with unwavering honesty and openness—incorporating both scientific principles and sustainable practices. This commitment extends to mindful choices made during this scientific and creative phase—encompassing considerations such as eco-friendly dyes, responsible water usage, and the celebration of diverse cultural influences.
Synergy in Sustainable Evolution:
At The Colors of Nature, the dyeing process transcends mere solitary work; it unfolds as a collaborative journey engaging individuals, artisans, and the wider community. The organization cultivates an environment where open communication and collective decision-making take precedence. In crafting collaborative dyeing plans, skilled craftsmen, sustainability experts, and community networks unite to ensure that the transformation of fabrics unfolds with a shared sense of responsibility. This holistic approach extends far beyond immediate circles—weaving a network of support that transcends individual boundaries—contributing collectively to sustainable and ethical fashion practices.
Compassion in Sustainable Coloration:
At The Colors of Nature, empathy forms the bedrock of fabric dyeing practices. The organization acknowledges the profound emotional, artistic, and scientific dimensions inherent in this transformative journey—prioritizing compassion and understanding. Artisans, volunteers, and community members undergo training to offer empathetic support, recognizing the unique needs and emotions intertwined with the dyeing process. The outcome is an environment where fabrics undergo meticulous transformation—integrating scientific principles. In this deeply innovative and creative journey within textile sustainability—individuals feel not only seen, heard, and understood—but are actively guided through a compassionate and thoughtful process.
Celebrating Heritage and Insight in Sustainable Fashion:
The journey of fabric transformation is not perceived as an endpoint but rather as a transition that provides a platform to commemorate the accumulated legacy and wisdom of a lifetime. At The Colors of Nature, individuals are encouraged to introspect on their experiences, share stories, and impart valuable lessons to the community. Legacy-building activities, such as immersive storytelling through group visits and interactive sessions—seamlessly intertwine with the fabric dyeing process—fostering a profound sense of continuity and interconnectedness. In Auroville, The Colors of Nature redefines the fabric transformation process by infusing it with values that transcend individual boundaries—embracing the collective human experience. Integrity, collaboration, empathy, and the celebration of legacy become foundational principles—reshaping the journey from raw materials to sustainable fabrics into a meaningful and shared odyssey. Through this, the organization invites us all to reflect not merely on the end product but also on the profound beauty inherent in the entire transformative journey and the influential role of conscious fashion.
Wasteless is an organization founded by Ribhu who was born and raised in Auroville. It is committed to education around waste and how to promote a circular system. They hope to inspire change by using creative techniques to change how people view waste. Instead of focusing on recycling, they try to encourage lowering waste production. They use a metaphor of a running tap soaking the floor while you constantly try to mop it up. The idea is not to just mop, but to shut off the water! Most global waste management strategies focus on what to do with the waste rather than creating less of it, so this is a new way to address a new problem. I think many people do not try to stop creating waste because it seems unachievable, and it probably is. However, we can reconsider how we do produce waste and what we do with it after. One of their big projects is Sea Change. Ribhu in his presentation to us explained how the Wasteless team came up with a program to be used in schools that teaches children about oceanic environmental topics. This makes it easier for teachers to incorporate these topics in their classrooms when the lesson plans have been made by people with specific education around oceanic waste. These programs are now being used in schools in India. It is very important that Indian students are aware of this issue as it disproportionately affects them and is not discussed enough in classrooms or at home. He helped us understand both why we should consider our own waste production as well as what the organization was doing to make differences in this.
The Auroville Bamboo Center is a local hub for bamboo education. The project manager, Balu, is passionate about spreading the word about how bamboo can be used in different ways. The center hosts workshops and has bamboo art, products, and structures on display. The hope is that from this education, people will incorporate more bamboo products in their life. There are classes taught at local schools to inform the people of Auroville on the potential uses of bamboo and it’s environmental effects. If we are using more bamboo products in place of other materials, we support the production of bamboo forests. Bamboo forests are an important environmental tool to soak up carbon dioxide from the air, allowing nature to heal itself. Bamboo is a very unique plant and due to its durability can be used in diverse ways. Some ways the bamboo center is promoting bamboo products is through food, teas, fabrics, bio charcoal, buildings, furniture, and more. India is the 2nd highest consumer of bamboo right behind China, and this is important because these are countries that are heavily impacted by pollution. It is essential that India finds creative ways to combat climate change in the changing environment. Balu stresses the importance of local intelligence in the changing bamboo market. More and more interest is forming around bamboo due to its powerful healing properties, but it is important that new bamboo farms lean into the traditional farming methods to get the most benefit from the practice. For example, commercial bamboo farms popping up in Northern India, Eastern Europe and the United States have started using pesticides on the farms and harvesting the crops too early. If they took into consideration indigenous bamboo farming practices, they would know that bamboo grows in harmony with other crops such as vegetables that could serve as a permaculture experience making pesticides totally unnecessary. Bamboo trees can grow for more than 40 years with no replanting, the plant is able to reproduce and maintain itself, making the forest harvesting every 2 years counterproductive. Balu teaches us that bamboo should be planted in harmony with the earth. It has practical as well as spiritual value, and the Auroville Bamboo Center reflects this through the forest and the people passionate about it.
Limiting consumption is a major part of sustainable living and limiting waste is absolutely necessary to protect the environment. However, removing waste completely, even in a place like Auroville, is extremely difficult. So the question becomes: what can we do with the existing waste? Well, one of the best things that we can do with waste that already exists is reuse it. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Housing both Wasteless and the Upcycling Studio is a fully sustainable building created by Ribhu Vohra, the co-founder of Wasteless. The Upcycling Studio is located downstairs on the ground floor. Upon arrival, we were greeted by displays on the front terrace that gave us a first glance at the immense creative passion inside the workshop. Here, we are introduced to the upcycling process. A huge part is obtaining and cleaning waste materials. The Upcycling Studio gets waste from the EcoService in Auroville, where garbage is separated. They collect many different types of waste for their projects, including glass bottles, old CDs/VHS tapes, plastic packages, fabric, and even toilets. Inside, the studio is a bright, creative space decorated with past projects. There are large workspace areas and a wall of tools, making this a productive studio area.
The Upcycling Studio has a powerful way of giving meaning to their recycled projects, truly giving a beautiful new purpose to what was once just waste. An example that really encapsulated the thought they put into their products is the Desk Harmonizing Kit that they showed us. They wanted to create something that was not only attractive but also extremely practical. The kit comes in a basket made of recycled paper which comes from Wellpaper (an organization we also went to visit!). Inside, the first object is a self-watering plant vase. This is made from a glass bottle which is cut in half with the top piece turned upside down inside the bottom part. This allows for a succulent plant to sit on top with its roots through the neck of the bottle, where they can reach the water at the bottom. It brings some living greenery to the desk. Next, the kit has a quantum water bottle. The top piece is removable as it doubles as both a lid and a cup. This is inspired by Aquadyn Auroville’s water purification system technology that uses quantum physics. Inside is a purifying silver coil. The outside is engraved with words of love written in the four languages of Auroville and those spoken at the Upcycling Studio. They chose this as it shows the gratitude for water and they believe, as researchers do as well, that water’s molecular structure is transformed when spoken positive words. A candle holder is the next object, made from the top of an old gin bottle. The base is made from trees that fell from natural causes in the Pitchandikulam forest. The candle sits on this wood base with the glass top covering it nicely. There is also a paperweight made from old glass tiles and broken glass pieces. The symbolism behind this kit is that it is balancing because it brings all the worldly elements together on the desk: earth (plant holder), water (water bottle), fire (candle holder), and air (paperweight). This shows how the studio is dedicated to making thoughtful, meaningful pieces.
Desk Balancing Kit featured on Upcycling Studio’s Instagram
One of the team’s key initiatives is bringing upcycling workshops into schools. Instead of normal arts and crafts activities which create even more waste, the team encourages children to collect trash they see and make artistic projects with it. They aim to break the stigma that trash is dirty to encourage reuse practices. The team also uses this as an opportunity to educate about the importance of limiting waste. Upcycling is an amazing education tool as it can bring in creativity, mathematics, and problem-solving skills.
The team also seeks to educate the public through inspiring public displays. Sitting on chairs made from recycled materials and stuffed with plastic wrapper waste, we had the opportunity to look through various books on the Upcycling Studio’s past work. They have had many large public art displays in Auroville and abroad, including the Trashion show (featuring upcycled outfits) which they do in Auroville every few years.
What I found quite beautiful about the Upcycling Studio is the way it added a hopeful lens to waste. It spreads the message that we should limit waste as much as possible, but we should see the remaining waste as a material that can be reinvented time and time again. Their work opened our minds to the wide array of possibilities that come when we destigmatize trash. The creative mindset that waste can actually be something shiny and new with just a few tweaks and a creative vision is truly inspiring. The possibilities are endless!
Where once stood a vacant lot of barren earth is now a lush garden. Garden may be a strong term for the operation at Solitude Farms however, one can not disagree when the produce it bears is of such high quality. The entropy of solitude farm is entirely intentional, allowing nature to rebound back to its lush vibrant interconnected self while also benefiting from the bountiful fruit it bears. Like the nutrients in the soil which were brought in by composting and anti-desertification efforts the progenitor of Solitude Farms is also a transplant, and much like the plants and vegetables in the farm, Krishna, not his birth name, has become completely enmeshed in the homeostasis of the environment. A wealth of information, Krishna, who is originally front the United Kingdom, is seldom seen without his signature turban shading his bare head from the sun. As he walks through his fields navigating a seemingly invisible path to the untrained eye he can pluck any bean, leaf, or branch up and talk at length about its health benefits, and how to cultivate and cook it. His loud boisterous voice commands attention just as much as the sparkle in his eye or the warm demeanor he radiates when talking passionately about his farm. Almost the entirety of the food that is served at Solitude Farms is grown on premises. The only thing not grown on site are the grains which require much more space for cultivation. On the menu, written in chalk, as it is ever-changing are today’s options. There is always the “thali of the day” and the “farmers’ salad” which change daily based on their harvest each morning. Next to each of the ingredients are listed their health benefits and properties. Some vegetables are described as good to fight inflammation, while others are cited as good immune boosters, and still, others are advertised as mood boosters or good for autism and ADHD. While rice is a staple in Indian cuisine it is rarely seen at Solitude Farms. The “thali of the day” usually favors local grains that are richer in nutrients over rice, which also usually consumes more water in its cultivation. The cafe itself is a place of community, with large family-style tables that encourage people to mingle and enjoy their meals together. Locals and adventurers alike bump elbows and share meals trading stories over a hyperlocal lunch. Solitude Farms also holds community events, often featuring Krishna’s band. The Krishna sings in both English and Tamil, and the band features western instruments like the electric guitar as well as local percussion instruments. If you’re lucky enough you’re even able to hear the band practicing while enjoying your freshly picked lunch.
Serving their first batch of crop-to-cup coffee in 2008 Marks coffee of Auroville has become a local landmark and winner of the 2022 aromatic brew & beanery award. Founded by Marc Tormo who arrived in Auroville in 1997, they now produce 12 tons of roasted coffee a year. Their holistic approach empowers the people it touches at all levels from farmers to drinkers without compromising the environment. Specially chosen beans from across India ensure a delicious brew every time, and sourcing directly from farmers helps to bolster producers’ income while maintaining ecological integrity and nurturing the communities that produce their coffee. In establishing a link directly from the producers to the consumers, and doing all roasting in-house Marc’s Coffee is able to ensure fair wages for the growers and hand-pick only the finest beans. All coffee purchased by Marcs Coffee is bought at premium prices. In line with the ethics of Auroville, all the coffee purchased is produced in a sustainable fashion. This is due to India’s coffee plants being entirely shade-grown instead of clearing forests for production, trees are actually encouraged for the shade they produce, allowing coffee groves to easily coincide with the native permaculture. One of the best examples of Marc’s selections is the Halli Barry estate, an estate run entirely by women. The business is a family affair, consisting of Marc, the owner, his wife, in charge of logistics, and their son, Eden, in charge of quality control for other places that use their product. Beyond the beans, the cafe also gives back to the village of Auroville. The cafe is a place of community and a regular hang-out for locals and travelers alike. The interior is built and furbished entirely with repurposed wood, and all of their accouterments are sourced from local artisans, nurturing the community that supports them. Another example of their dedication to community building is their sourcing of products for their delicious homemade baked goods, such as their eggs. They pay half of their year’s order in advance to allow farmers to produce the quantity they need without taking out loans which are usually at astronomical interest rates. The cafe is also staffed predominantly by members of surrounding villages. This brings income back to local communities that otherwise have few other options and shares the knowledge of food service and hospitality cultivated by Mark through his years in the F&B industry in Spain. In a new chapter of their project coffee is working towards educational opportunities and training of high-level baristas, something not widely available in India. In Marks’ philosophy, coffee brings people together, and is a source of community, it uplifts people in both its cultivation and consumption. In his own words “who would have thought all this could fit in a humble cup of coffee”
AUP Sustainable Development Practicum in Auroville, India 