Auroville's monthly news magazine since 1988
Feb 2025 (8 months ago) Subscribers-only download Download PDF
Feature — Words by Peter
“In this as in all great human aspirations and endeavours, an a priori declaration of impossibility is a sign of ignorance and weakness. For by the doing the difficulty will be solved.” Sri Aurobindo On 19 October 2022, Auroville’s Working Committee appointed by the Residents’ Assembly met for two hours with the Chairman of the Governing Board to present a five-step roadmap to collaboratively resolve the project’s governance crisis in an atmosphere conducive to growth and progress. The Committee underscored the skills and expertise available within the community and its wish to work with the Board as called for in the Auroville Foundation Act.
On art and form — Written by Chandra
Aurodeva is an artist and art therapist born and raised in Auroville whose work displays a rich blend of creativity, introspection, and connection to his roots. Influenced by the environment of his upbringing, Aurodeva is currently completing advanced studies in art therapy and psychology, all the while committed to fostering growth and well-being through his therapeutic practice and creative efforts. His recent project, Bhumilucis (Land of Light), is one example of this. It is a project that connects children with the red earth of Auroville, a playful union of spirit and matter through collaborative art.
On art and form — Written by Alan
The first thing that strikes you about any exhibition of Priya Sundaravalli’s is the sheer fecundity and variety of her work which makes it impossible to classify her. These features were on display again in her latest exhibition, ‘Inner Landscapes’, at the Pitanga Cultural Centre, where the intimate spaces were filled with the exuberance of her creations in which matter, in all its myriad forms, seems to be radiating life and vitality.
A Q&A with Nathalie — Questions by Chandra
Born in Paris, Nathalie grew up surrounded by the evocative scents of her grandfather’s painting studio. At the age of seven, her life took a profound turn when her family moved to India, eventually settling in Auroville. In this interview, Nathalie reflects on her journey across cultures and the diverse influences that have shaped her work as a visual artist. She shares her thoughts on art as a deeply personal and intuitive process, her inspiration from Auroville’s and Sri Aurobindo’s ideals, and how she navigates the challenges of staying connected to beauty and purpose in a changing world. Nathalie’s insights offer a window into the mind of an artist who sees creativity not just as an act, but as a way of living and connecting with the deeper essence of life.
Feature — Words by Alan
Last December, there was a photographic exhibition in the Tibetan Pavilion which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the second caravan in Auroville. But who were these people? And what was the significance of their journey?
AVFO enters new agreements without RA involvement The Auroville Foundation Office (AVFO) continues to enter into institutional agreements without consulting or informing the Residents' Assembly (RA)...
Gross negligence in urban planning alleged On January 10, the members of L’Avenir d’Auroville, the Town Planning Council appointed by the Residents’ Assembly (RA-TDC), informed the community that it had sent a letter to high government officials addressing critical concerns about ongoing developments in the Auroville project area...
GB-WCom membership questioned The membership of the Working Committee approved by the Governing Board (GB-WCom) continues to be questioned...
Road construction update Road construction continues across Auroville, with at least 9 sections of road currently being built...
Report on Darkali bridge construction A detailed evaluation report published in November 2024 by Satprem Maïni, Director of the Auroville Earth Institute, highlighted several concerns regarding the ongoing construction of a bridge at Darkali for the Crown Road project...
GB-FAMC halts allocation of some donations The GB-FAMC has recently halted the transfer of some donations received by Auroville to the beneficiaries, in some cases stating that “there are few concerns that should be clarified with you, based on proven feedback...
Evergreen Land Situation Following a court ruling of the Tindivanam court on October 25th, the disputed land area bordering Evergreen community which had been in Auroville's peaceful possession for over 32 years has now been cleared of all vegetation...
Gratitude farm project terminated early The Auroville Farm Group reported that the Gratitude experimental Demo Farm project, launched in October 2022 by the GB-FAMC as a two-year initiative to develop natural precision farming methods in Auroville, for which half an acre was set apart and which was developed by a few non-Aurovilians with a subsidy from the Auroville Foundation of 4...
A tribute to
Manuel Thomas, a long-time friend and well-wisher of Auroville, left his body peacefully in his sleep during the night of January 26th. His passing is a great loss for Auroville and for his many friends and admirers. Manuel was a Chartered Accountant based in Chennai who came into contact with Auroville at the end of the 90’s. For the next three decades he interacted with many Aurovilians and freely shared his vast experience in legal and accountancy matters for Auroville’s benefit and that of many Auroville working groups, services and individuals. One of his memorable contributions was his work on Auroville’s economics. Together with Dutch Professor Dr. Henk Thomas, he authored the book Economics for People and Earth: The Auroville Case 1968 - 2008. It all began when, in 1997, the then Economy Study Group and Auroville’s Funds and Assets Management Committee made a request for research and advice to Henk Thomas. At the recommendation of a few Aurovilians, in 1998 Manuel Thomas was brought in for his expertise in data management and analysis. At the time, Auroville had no statistical office and, as Manuel later said, “an almost heroic effort was made to gather income and expenditure statements and balance sheets from various locations, some in forgotten dark cellars.” The more than 3,000 records of commercial units were digitized and used to do an economic analysis of Auroville units, including issues of their survival, expansion and sustainability. In 2002, Henk and Manuel presented a White Paper on Auroville’s Economy to the Auroville community. The document, which focused on Auroville’s commercial units, was well-received and they were asked to extend their study to include Auroville’s service sector. This was taken up and they decided to cover Auroville’s economy over the first 40 years of its existence. The result was the book Economics for People and Earth: The Auroville Case 1968 - 2008, which was published in the summer of 2013. The book gives a synthesis of the different phases of Auroville’s economy; gauges Auroville's economic system in the light of the principles and guidelines given by The Mother; assesses Auroville’s sustainability and its coherence as a model for durable socioeconomic development; and identifies many areas of concern for Auroville’s development. But the book was not only on Auroville economics. It contains brief biographical notes on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother along with an overview of the Mother’s vision on Auroville’s economy. “We can’t stress enough that the spiritual dimension is the cohesive part of the Auroville experiment. If someone would like to duplicate it elsewhere, there would need to be a similar ‘glue’ in one form or another. In Auroville, it is the spiritual dimension and the dream of humanity living in harmony in an international township which brought people together,” said Manuel in an interview with Auroville Today. In recent years, Manuel shared the pains and frustrations of many Aurovilians witnessing the difficulties brought by the new Auroville administration, and he wondered if this anticipated the end of the Auroville experiment. While this question remains unanswered, there is no doubt that Manuel was part of that spiritual dimension that sustains Auroville and its residents. Manuel’s remains were interred in Chennai on 29 January.
Long-term AVI Germany board member Thomas Dreyer passed away on 6 January after a long and serious illness. Thomas was the main project manager of the German Weltwärts volunteers programme, supported by his wife Birgit. They both spent their annual holidays in Auroville, visiting the volunteers and their places of assignment. Without his many years of tireless commitment, the programme would not have been able to continue successfully for so many years. Thomas held a PhD in physics and was a widely learned and knowledgeable person. He was a very kind man, firmly based on his connection with the Mother, with Sri Aurobindo and the Integral Yoga.
Born in Montreal, Canada in 1950, Jean-Marie arrived in Auroville in 1998. He lived in Siddhartha Forest where he passed away on the night of 31st December 2024, 74 years old. For those who knew him, he was a true disciple of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Through and through an Aurovilian with heart and soul. As he wrote on Auroville’s intranet a few years ago, “When man is a little wiser, he will not complain about anything and will take the things that the divine sends him as an effect of his grace which is all mercy. The more we are surrendered, the more we will understand. The more grateful we are, the happier we will be.” His remains were cremated on 5 January at the Auroville Cremation Ground.
