The Dawn of Auroville 1964-1973

The project was conceived and initially researched by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Archives photographer, Kiran Kakad, who chose photographs from the Ashram and Auroville Archives. He worked closely with Gilles Guigan of the Auroville Archives in preparation of the text.

This book is a valuable resource in a number of ways. The early photographs emphasise the challenge of the largely barren and eroded landscape that confronted the first pioneers. It also points up the important role that the Ashram and the Ashram school students played in surveying the newly acquired land, constructing the first roads and in organizing the inauguration ceremony, a role that is sometimes not fully acknowledged or understood in histories of Auroville. There are also photos of Ashram students and Aurovilians working together on the excavation of the Matrimandir.

It is also interesting to see how many senior Ashramites attended the dedication ceremony and foundation stone ceremonies for the Matrimandir, an indication of the importance that Mother attached to the project.

The book also contains participants’ memories of the inauguration day, contrasting images of the early days and the present Matrimandir and gardens, and Mother’s indications about the aims and ideals of Auroville.

This beautifully produced book helps deepen our understanding of the close cooperation between the Ashram and the early Aurovilians that helped overcome the challenges and strengthened the aspiration of those who worked tirelessly to materialise Mother’s dream in those early years.

It also represents a wonderful example of how that cooperation has continued to the present day. As Kiran Kakad puts it, “The whole endeavour (of producing this book) was a very warm and memorable collaboration between the Ashram Archives and the Auroville Archives which ended in a beautiful book and a strong bond of friendship and love between our two communities”.

The Dawn of Auroville 1964-1973. A Brief History in Photographs, 236 pages. Published by the Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department, 2019. Printed at Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press. Price Rs 850.