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Upasana
“Sitting at the feet of the divine”….
…..or “worship” as the Sanskrit translation goes.
Its designs are based on India 's amazing heritage. Her work sings in harmony to the lush green Kokum trees that shelter her. She is…a design studio with a difference…a bank of human wealth reaching out in so many ways….
The Design studio
Upasana Design Studio was born in 1997, originally with one table under a tree, as a garment design and manufacturing unit. The aspiration was to create an open space for creativity and design in all its forms. Being born within the unique context of Auroville, the inspiration at Upasana has been Integral Design - An approach to discovering one self through one's work.
Following on the footsteps of Integral Design, they have also been consciously involved in various projects in design and more - trying to bring design to a level beyond the product and apply it to answer the various problems of everyday life. Their various projects in Social Development have been in the spirit of contributing to the world through their skills and understanding. Working within Auroville has also inspired them and they have been doing research on human development as well, designing and conducting various workshops in human relations for all their employees.
The Members
There are full time members who are the stewards of Upasana. Collectively they chart out the course for the design studio - strategising, connecting up with people and groups and initiating and sustaining projects.
There is also a number of associate members who contribute on a regular basis and volunteers who might be professionals or students from any field right from design to marketing.
Upasana team: At the campus there is a production team of about 30 people that come to Upasana from the surrounding villages. It is our belief that these villages are very much a part of Auroville and we try to integrate the local population through work and by providing a space to meet, socialise and earn their living.
The Campus
The campus has been in a state of constant growth since its inception - To create a space for open interaction, for practising our philosophy of design and of life and to be an ideal area for creativity. The landscape is infused with the Auroville sensibility of architecture, with wide windows, waste water recycling plant, etc. The work and production areas have been designed to resemble an open happy surrounding instead of the confines of a solid walled room. A common tree roofed area for lunch, socialising or impromptu meetings and water bodies sprinkled with lilies add to the atmosphere of jollity.
History
In 1997 Uma and Manoj were the first members of the team at Upasana. Uma started a design unit, when she was dreaming of bringing the Indian textiles into its own in the world. Under the shade of a tree in a little hut without a door, the enterprise began along with a small team of workers. For 2 years the initial team had to grapple with issues such as no electricity or water and monsoon time brought dreams of a roof on the hut and a door that could lock. In those crucial years many innovative lessons were learnt in rainwater harvesting and efficient use of water – learning that is followed even today!
Looking back, one can see how Auroville has shaped Upasana. During the earlier years, when money was harder to generate, benefactors around the community pitched in with support and words of goodwill. The studio shifted to its current campus area in 1999 and so continued the passionate efforts of a growing team of designers. They started with practically nothing, but believed that the strength of their dreams will suffice for the lack of resources – The dream to bring out the beauty of the Indian craft and aesthetics, the dream to transcend beyond the borders of conventional design and to live a life in harmony with the environment and the people they were working with – dreams that shape their actions even today.
Along the way the Upasana team has developed a strong sense of social conviction and this is evident in the numerous Socially Responsible Design projects that they have initiated and are involved in.
The Projects
TSUNAMIKA - Tsunamika is a little doll handmade by the fisherwomen in coastal villages next to Auroville, Tamil Nadu, after the Tsunami. It is made out of industrial waste (fabric).
Started as Trauma counseling to tsunami affected people, Tsunamika later became the symbol of love, hope and the joy of unconditional giving .She was distributed as a gift all over the world & became symbol of Gift economy. She provides 200 fisherwomen with livelihood. She invokes the heart and higher values of the society. This project is a living prototype representing Human Unity.
Website: www.tsunamika.org
SMALL STEPS - Small steps is an initiative to promote an environmentally and socially just world. The first step is to promote a responsible alternative to the throwing away of plastic shopping bags. India generates 5600 tons of plastic waste daily, with a “small steps” bag, we no longer have to choose between “paper or plastic”. Recycling is good, but reuse is so much better.
These bags are compact and come in two styles.
Small Steps was launched on 22 nd April 2007 and we are proud to announce that it has completed one year and has become self sustainable. It is able to generate its own income with the support and goodwill of its volunteers and patrons.
Website: www.smallsteps.in
VARANASI WEAVERS - Design took a form of livelihood to the weavers of Varanasi , who were facing hardships. Weaving - a craft of great value was lying in shambles. For several months the weavers had no jobs and were living lives of misery and utter poverty.
Upasana Design Studio took this challenge as a development project to revive the handicraft. This project provides livelihood to Varanasi weavers who were leaving their looms to become laborers and rickshaw drivers for survival. They are supported by Bestseller Foundation, a division of Danish clothing company Bestseller.
Website: www.varanasiweavers.org
Website: www.upasana.in
Email:upasana@auroville.org.in |
