Issue Nº356 – In Memoriam

On February 11, Devayani (Augusta) Martizi, Italian, left her body in Italy at the age of 72.

Devayani came to Auroville from Findhorn in 2010 and became an Aurovilian resident in August 2011. In recent years she lived in Swayam and while being involved in quite a few activities, her main work was in PTDC’s kitchen as well as at Matrimandir. She also spent much time at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

She had been somewhat unwell the last half year and left Auroville in December to have a check-up in Italy, where her health deteriorated.

Friends describe her as a joyful woman, a person full of light, who was extremely happy and grateful to know Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, whom she called her true parents.

Henk (Hendrik van Putten) of Petite Ferme left his body on February 16th at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, due to an asthma induced lung complication that flared up after his recent return from Holland. He was 82.

Henk, and his late wife Agnus Gastmans, both accomplished artists, regularly visited Auroville since 2001 and joined in 2004. They settled in Petite Ferme where they created their art. Henk was a well-known designer and sculptor, and worked with various materials such as steel, stone, bronze and wood, which formed the building blocks of his sculptures and multi-dimensional objects. A number of his large structures are found all over Auroville, in the Visitors’ Centre, along the roads, in gardens and other places. Henk was totally dedicated to his work and was a respected artist participating in exhibitions and art fairs across Europe. In 2014 his work ‘Stretching’ won the Liu Kaiqu Excellence Award, Wuhu, China.

Henk’s remains were buried at the Auroville burial grounds on the afternoon of 19 February. A short interview of Henk talking about his work can be found at goo.gl/FwqSvY.