In March, 2015, a group of 14 people, previously unknown to each other, embarked upon an exciting journey through Tamil Nadu with the aim of exploring alternative building projects and communities.
The program, co-ordinated by Earthship Australia, was devised to expose Australians (and one local Indian to a range of natural eco-building projects, farm stays and eco- villages to encourage connection and skill development by getting more hands on with building shelter while exploring shared values around sustainable living. The inaugural Southern India tour was an experiment in combining community participation and natural building opportunities and seeing India from a unique alternative perspective. Everyone came together with an open mind and spirit to engage, learn and contribute. This ended up being the most important element of the group and what stood out from other similar ‘experiential tour’ opportunities, the motivation to give and share and through such a drive we were able to contribute to both locals and each other with exceptional transformative outcomes for all involved. The tour took place over 3 weeks, starting with Raja’s organic farm, 3 hours from Bangalore. S. Thattanapalli Village Farms offers fellowships in permaculture farming, water harvesting, mud building, waste management, reforestation, roof-top gardens and also village culture. The fellowships generally provide: - Training in organic farming and organic living - Real projects to work and practice on - Connection to traditional village - Staying and eating in village houses – Access to traditional Indian mud brick building will form the major component of the stay at S. Thattanapalli Village Farms. Whilst living ruggedly in his newly built mud house and some sleeping out under the stars, the week was filled with new experiences on the land and in the surrounding communities. An amma cooked meals on a wooden stove while the group engaged in cob building, farming, irrigation and other creative activities left open for each participant to chose what they wanted to do and what they felt best able to contribute. From there we headed to Auroville, a universal township outside of Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu in the making for a population of up to 50,000 people from around the world. There is an acute shortage of affordable housing in Auroville which deters many good people from joining the community. Created in the early 1960s by ‘the mother’, Auroville was envisioned as a unique utopian community open to all who wished to work towards living in harmony with each other and within themselves. An essentially spiritual endeavour, Auroville has evolved and become a mecca for alternative living projects looking to build community capacity and ultimately encourage work and participation as the way to find true belonging and appreciate our purpose. Our week was filled with inspiring talks, tours, workshops and cultural events, a whirlwind of activity with everyone getting around on scooters and finding opportunities to engage their own interests and passions with new experiences and connections. Accomodation was provided at the International Zone, a zone of 74 hectares to the west of the Peace Area, with its central focus to create a living demonstration of human unity in diversity through the expression of the genius and contribution of each nation to humanity. The International House accomodation provided a great illustration of creative alternative dry/monsoon building design. It is designed for 12 individuals with a common kitchen and compost toilets. A large vault provides a double roof for heat protection and rain water catchment. The walls are rammed earth and compressed earth blocks. Solar power is used and the grey water biological treatment system feeds the garden. The recycled objects include Tetra-packs as roofing and walls, paper mache flooring, chairs made of tires, a creeper frame of used petrol hoses, among other initiatives. One of the highlights was working at a nearby site, the SacredGroves project conceived to alleviate the housing problem with the construction of 108 new homes for newcomers, Aurovilians and long-term volunteers, in a manner consistent with the Mother’s vision for Auroville. The project is designed to be a model of ecological community living using ecologically sensitive construction methods. The model is intended to be replicated in high density urban areas in India and elsewhere. The final experience was reached in the high Southern Alps of Tamil Nadu, at Karuna Farm. Karuna farm is an intentional community comprised of members from a range of countries who have come together and built a self-sufficient community practicing alternative building and permaculture ideas, utilising solar and water for energy and invite others to come and learn and share in their alternative vision and lifestyle. “At Karuna Farm we harmonise with nature taking care of our body mind and spirit . We have chosen an alternative lifestyle and made it work. At Karuna we don't use electricity from the national grid. All power is sourced from solar energy and hydroelectric power. The climate and water resources are good for cultivation all through the year. The potential is good. Various systems of organic farming are being practiced. At present 20 varieties of fruits are growing. Since 2009 we have been producing fruits, vegetables, grains and milk.” Karuna is surrounded by forests and peaks on either side, with paths for a short forest stroll or an all day trek, with spectacular views, tropical forest and wildlife. Ontop of working on a cob house for the final week, the group decided to complement the day’s schedule with mini-skill share workshops, with each member of the group being allocated a time to present a workshop on something that interested them or a skill they wanted to impart, with other guests and volunteers at Karuna eagerly joining in on our workshops. Overall the experience was a combination of practical and cultural experiences with a great group/community spirit developed over the 3 weeks. |
“The trek up-hill on our last day together. It felt so surreal, to be in mist and breathe in the fresh crispy air of the hills.
Watching the sky change colors and waiting patiently for the sun to show up, we were each in our own worlds, lost in place and thoughts. Something about it - a culmination of all the previous 22 days of compassion, warmth and togetherness - was so powerful, I had tears in my eyes. Without speaking a word, in all that sound and stillness, we felt the same thing. We were happy, unhappy and completely smitten. I read a quote yesterday by Haruki Murakami “What happens when people open their hearts?" "They get better.” I suppose it is true. It does take immense courage, to open your heart" Participant, 2015 |