Art in Auroville

In a Utopian township of Auroville where freedom is of prime importance, art and innovation find their way in through the window. When the love for humanity and the passion towards work is chosen over the materialistic pleasures and the preconceived idea of a livelihood, the mind tends to sail beyond the boundaries of conventions and break the patterns. 

Auroville can be easily termed as the artist's paradise with the schools teaching various forms of art (dance, music, painting, candle making, pottery) and it being celebrated every moment. Ideas rush to your brain when you are determined to embrace sustainable future, especially when you have less to do and more to observe. Art, here, is not considered a hobby or an option, it is a way of life. 

"When the love for humanity and the passion towards work is chosen over the materialistic pleasures and the preconceived idea of a livelihood, the mind tends to sail beyond the boundaries of conventions and break the patterns."

The day was to start with a brief meditation session in Matri Mandir (Read An Auroville Experience). As soon as we parked our two wheeler near the visitor's area, we exchanged a smile with a man. We had, by now, realized that sharing a smile was almost a norm unlike the city souls who wander with a stone face. In his late 70s, clad in a white pajama and a khaki kurta, he looked quite fit for his age. In a Spanish accent, he invited us to an art workshop that was organized in an open area next to Dreamer's Cafe ( Drip Coffee at Dreamer's Cafe ). We had read about the event on the notice board near the cafeteria but had chosen to give it a pass taking our artistic skills into consideration. 

This open for all workshop was an attempt to liberate the emotions through colors.
Engrossed artists

However, the magical vibes of freedom in the truest of sense changed my mind and I decided to stroke a brush or two. We were welcomed by the organizer, a young art teacher in Auroville. "The idea is to spread joy, open up your senses and to let the expressions flow." she said. She was right. It was the first time after my school that I had picked up a brush and so artistically stimulated was I that, if skilled, I could have created the Last Supper, there and then. 
"The idea is to spread joy, open up your senses and to let the expressions flow."

I tried my hands at painint in the art workshop that was open for all.
A humble attempt
The humble effort of your's truly turned out to be self satisfactory. A word or two of appreciation was showered upon which, I suppose, was a consolation for the end result as seen in the picture above.



If my posts fascinate you, please join me on my journey through my Facebook page or connect with me through Google Friends Connect. 


Labels: , , ,