SHAMBHALA

DEC. 2020 I s s u e 0 1 SHAMBHALA INSPIRATION : INNOVATION



Author. Unknown. According to the Kalachakra: Shambhala is a nuanced concept an onion that peels back its skin to reveal layer after layer of meaning. Shambhala is a remote sanctuary a feeling evoked in the body and the mind an awakening of the spirit all in one. Shambhala exists in various Asian cultures from Eurasia to Tibet, India to China. A land of radiant spirits… a land of white waters… a place beyond everyday existence… pure. It’s origins are traced back to the Puranas in early Hinduism that speak of the birth place of Kalki, the final incarnation of Vishnu, who will usher in a new Golden Age. In essence: it is a point of departure whence a stream of consciousness flows. For true travellers the destination is the journey itself. Shambhala is that point where a voyage of discovery begins.







THE TIGER CEO LEADERSHIP Lessons From The Tiger ~ A Book By Sharad Vats COURAGE

THE TIGER CEO LEADERSHIP Lessons From The Tiger ~ A Book By Sharad Vats STRATEGY

THE TIGER CEO LEADERSHIP Lessons From The Tiger ~ A Book By Sharad Vats LEGACY

AMBUSH (An excerpt from The Tiger CEO) “Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee, he is trying to take you unaware.” – Sun Tzu – The Art of War Tigers are masters in the art of the attack. They are wholly focused on the prey – and how to ambush it. A strategist to a T, the tiger is not afraid to alter his plan of attack, based on the size and the power of its prey. He also knows when to walk away – so that he can attack it later. A tiger during an ambush is like what Lahiri Mahasaya said, ‘being calmly active, and actively calm’. Watching a tiger during ambush is a learning experience. He knows his surroundings, he has measured the distance of the prey, obstacles if any, and how to overcome them. I have personally been a witness to many such actions of the tiger, and every time I have come back feeling inspired by his rock solid focus during ambush. While his eyes are focussed on the prey, even a slight sound, or movement in his surroundings is immediately acknowledged by the twitching of his ears. It is also a gentle warning to the intruder that he is aware of your presence so you dare not disturb him. Basically he is a quick thinker, and strategizes fast. In rare conditions a tiger will also take on an elephant. He knows an elephant is too powerful for him to take on. A single kick will send him reeling. So he waits for the right moment, right angle, right time and right place to charge. He knows the elephant is supreme, so his supreme excellence consists in breaking his resistance without fighting, i.e. with clever, timely and a surprise charge. But a young calf, who is not yet completely cognizant with a tiger’s wiles, might be game. However, a mother elephant doesn’t stray far from her young. So the tiger must somehow ambush it – separate mother and child – and only then attack. He won’t be able to kill it immediately, but he’ll injure it enough so that it must remain there until the mother is forced to abandon it, to die slowly from the effects of his bite. Vicious? Perhaps. But he knows that all successful attacks are based on deception, hence he is a master at ambush. Tigers are born predators. “The characteristics that mark a perfect carnivore—claws especially adapted to strike and hold struggling prey, and teeth especially designed to bite into, cut up and tear flesh are most perfectly developed in the cat.” S.H. Prater.

AMBUSH (An excerpt from The Tiger CEO) Ungulates are the tiger’s favourite fodder – but even among ungulates one must reason carefully. A spotted deer may be caught by snapping its neck in two, but an Indian Gaur is a much tougher proposition. Even a powerful male tiger cannot kill a bison in one fell swoop – so he’ll first maim the hamstring and cripple the creature, attacking it until it’s worn down and unable to fight further. Then he goes in for the kill. A fight with a wild boar can last for hours. Though smaller than the tiger, the wild boar’s charge is brutal and his tusks can rip into the tiger’s flesh. A tiger knows that if he takes on a wild boar, the feisty pig will fight till its last breath. He must be rested and strong enough to endure the brutal battle of will. The tiger instinctively understands that he needs a differentiated strategy for different kinds of prey – and likewise for different competition in the form of other male tigers who may trespass on his territory. Knowing which tactic to deploy and when is intrinsic to his DNA. As a leader, one quickly learns that one needs a differentiated approach in a variety of situations and with different people involved. In some situations a solution may arise out of a simple conversation. In other cases, one might have to use a more forceful tactic. Different strokes for different folks. A tiger doesn’t reveal himself unnecessarily and often hunts under cover of dark, moving like a wraith in the shadows. He remains hidden, in the woods or amid the grass, silently shadowing his prey. As a leader, it is often wise to work on something without telling too many people about it – particularly when its nascent. Revealing too much, too soon, can jeopardise the project. “Do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:2) is an ancient Biblical expression that has taken on a more contemporary meaning – you don’t have to reveal all your cards to everyone at the table.

AMBUSH (An excerpt from The Tiger CEO) Some leaders take it to a different level – and don’t even reveal themselves. Isaac “Ike” Perlmutter is a terrific example of a clandestine leader. An Israeli immigrant, he came to the USA with 250 USD in his pocket and went on to become the CEO of Marvel Comics, which he subsequently sold to Walt Disney after a protracted negotiation that he won against the likes of Carl Icahn and Ron Perelman. He subsequently became a top secret advisor to President Trump’s Veteran Affairs department. In something of a throwback to his days in military espionage, Perlmutter attended the premiere of the Iron Man, one of his films, in disguise. Having dodged photographers for decades, he was only captured on camera recently while meeting with POTUS. Experience is a great teacher. As a leader, it is important to be able to detect a plausible trap and move around it. Falling into it may not kill you, but it can certainly be a set back – and sometimes, that’s all the advantage that competition needs. A tiger is usually a cool customer. He rarely needs to kill other than for food. But if provoked unnecessarily, he is known to hunt down the provocateur and kill for revenge. As a leader, it is important to know your enemy – and equally important to be sure that when you ambush, you’re in the strongest position for attack and have the resources to endure its duration. One must always weigh the pros and cons of provoking an act of vengeance very carefully. As country western singer Kenny Rogers says in one of his most famous ballads… “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em. Know when to fold ‘em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run.” When grappling with a tiger, those are words worth taking to heart.



INDI-GENIUS NOURISHMENT Smart Food: Soul Food From The Subcontinent

INDI-GENIUS Food is a window to the South Asian soul. The charm of South Asian gastronomy lies not only in it’s preparation, but also in the ingredients — and the manner in which they can be adapted for the international gourmand. But beyond the sensory explosion across your tastebuds, South Asian cuisine inspires some serious food for thought. The subcontinent is home to several “smart foods” — foods that are not only ‘good for you” but are also “good for the planet” and “good for the farmer.” In a region, where agriculture is the warp and weft of our socio-economic fabric, “eating smart” has a dynamic rippling impact. Mix it up Local strains of seeds and grains such as amaranth and millet are healthy alternatives to mix up the mainstream diet of rice and wheat across the region. Some of our favourite variants include amaranth muesli with dried fruit, multigrain millet dosas (crepes) and pilafs. These tiny superseeds and ancient grains pack a terrific punch. They are full of micronutrients including essential vitamins and minerals that help to boost immunity, enhance lung health, nourish your brain and nerve development, and build bone density. Gluten free and lactose free, they are ideal for WFPB (whole-food plant-based) vegans and vegetarians. In a region that reels under the weight of diabetes, the low glycemic index of such foods that are native to our soil is nature’s gift to contemporary society. Weather Vane South Asia bore the brunt of 2020’s ire where climatic shifts were concerned. From cyclones with a vengeance to searing heat and swarms of locusts, the subcontinent has not been spared. At times like these, Smart Foods become even more relevant, as the are naturally resistant to climate change and pests, bolstering the region’s food security. These tough plants fortify the soil with nitrogen-rich leaf litter and require minimal irrigation, saving precious ground water.

INDI-GENIUS The Farmer & The Food Chain Farming is a grossly underrated skill and an overlooked profession — yet absolutely crucial to our survival. In an economy driven by agriculture, the farmer is a key stakeholder in the food chain. Water mismanagement, climate change, pest infestations, infertile soil and erratic supply chains are just a handful of the problems that South Asian farmers stoically deal with on a daily basis. Insurmountable debt is a darker side of the farmer’s lot. Farmers who grew GMO strains and got bumper crops for the first few years now face a dire situation where their soil is not fit for cultivating anything at all. Recent droughts, floods and most recently, the global lockdown, has put South Asia’s agrarian community under enormous pressure — to the point where several farmers commit suicide. There’s a growing awareness and an acceptance of returning to organic farming, using local and natural manure and homegrown fertilisers. That’s where Smart Foods also kick in to help the farmer round the curve towards recovery. Not only is their organic leaf litter nutrient rich, the short crop cycle and hardy constitution of these crops mean that they thrive in regions where little else will. Consciously choosing to consume foods that mitigate several of these issues and withstand the sweeping changes that are rapidly re-shaping our society, directly impacts the life of the farmer as well as his or her community. According to SmartFood.org: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are going to have to rebuild and overhaul our food system. How do we make it nutrition secure, secure for the most vulnerable in our society, and climate change and pandemic-proof ? The solution lies in getting our priorities right, by placing nutrition, the environment, and the producers of food at the center of the discourse on transforming the food system and restoring equilibrium and equity. This means foods that are smart – good for you, planet and farmers and all producers – being at the center of the food system.” In a world that is reeling under one of the largest health, social and economic crises in history, is it time that we each make a choice to plant a seed of hope for the future?

FLOWER POWER HOLISTIC HEALING Bach Flower Remedies ~ Q&A With Shaina Lulla

FLOWER POWER We currently find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic with severe repercussions from a wellbeing and a socio-economic perspective. But have we paused to delve deep into the psychosomatics of the chronic illnesses that plague our world? Some holistic health practitioners believe that the underlying root cause of physical discomfort in the human body is suppressed emotion. One of the most incredible things about South Asia is it’s many traditions of holistic wellbeing, as well as it’s innate ability to amalgamate a variety of techniques, therapies and traditions from across the world, into the healing subculture of the subcontinent. So we thought we’d chat with Shaina Lulla, an organizational psychologist based out of Mumbai, who has fifteen years of experience in Human Resources in the corporate jungle, about her practice with Bach Flower Remedies, a holistic, non-invasive technique that helps people to regain a feeling of equilibrium and optimal wellbeing. While Bach Flower Remedies originated in England centuries ago, they now have universal appeal. With the Subcontinent’s exhaustive array of flora and fauna, perhaps it’s time we turn to “flower power” to heal. In the wake of the massive seven month lockdown that India has faced, Shaina founded ‘The Shining Light’ to guide and coach individuals on navigating day-to-day challenges so they could spend more time reclaiming their lives, doing what they love and flourishing instead of being enveloped by conflict, choice points, and emotional baggage. She uses a multi-disciplinary approach using a variety of differentiated healing modalities which range from coaching, to tarot card reading and bach flower consultations, in order to integrate the mind, body and soul in order to enhance one’s overall well-being. Q: What are Bach remedies and how do they work? SL: Bach Flower Remedies are a safe, natural and holistic method of healing that focusses on balancing your emotions. It follows an inside-out approach where any dis-ease (when the body is not at ease) in the physical body is due to an unease in the mind. Bach Flower Remedies restore this emotional balance, creating mental and physical wellbeing.

FLOWER POWER Bach Flower Remedies to help you heal your emotional imbalances and stimulate optimal emotional and mental well-being. The actual remedies (38 in number) carry the energetic imprint of the individual flowers they are made from and are blended with water and brandy as a preservative. Dr. Edward Bach, a British bacteriologist, pathologist and physician originally founded these remedies as a safe and natural form of healing. These remedies treat the individual holistically and do not aim to cure the physical disease or the visible symptoms. Each elixir is linked to a specific human emotion such as fear, grief, guilt, worry, anger etc. Q: What initially drew you to explore this particular method of healing? SL: My healing journey began several years ago when I was working in a fairly toxic work environment. I found myself struggling with a number of day to day stressors which manifested in excruciating back pain. After a gamut of allopathy, diagnostics and more hours of physiotherapy than I can count, I was unable to find a cure. I took matters into her own hands (literally) and studied Reiki to channel energy to heal myself - my back physically, as well as my emotional stress causing the pain. It also gave me mental solace and clarity on the path ahead, and I learned to evaluate and adopt alternative healing practices. I decided to take some time away from the corporate world, during which I studied Bach Flower Remedies and started practising Tarot Card Readings. I started using the Flower Remedies on myself What attracted me the most to using Bach Flower Remedies is the very gentle manner in which transformation and heightened awareness occurs. Not only do they reduce the actual stress but they also begin to produce a positive effect. I found myself healing both inwardly and outwardly. I started making conscious choices in complete awareness instead of drifting along with the tide. Instead of feeling afraid by the set back of my previous job, I began to take courageous steps in applying for my dream jobs and instead of feeling disheartened by my back injury, I began to feel uplifted. There is a polarity shift that we can see taking place in the emotional field. Q. Do you believe that a single essence can do the trick or do you curate a blend to suit different personality types? SL: It’s important to know that there are thirty-eight flower remedies and that a custom blend can include up to seven. A Bach Flower Consultant will always try and get to the root cause of the emotional issue – however this may not always happen in the first instance. It can be compared to an onion peel where after each consultation, your blend will likely change, as the remedy mix arrived at will peel away some emotional layers till you keep going deeper to reach the crux of the issue. In the healing journey, if you identify the one main cause which is fundamental to healing the issue, this can definitely be given as a single remedy.

FLOWER POWER In successive consultations, your blend may also keep changing (either a few or all 7 in entirety) as the issues which come up in your life which you feel the need to address and balance may also shift. A Universal Remedy that is pre-mixed and sold that most people are aware of is Rescue Remedy which itself is a mix of 5 flower remedies. Q. Do you use Bach remedies in combination with other forms of healing e.g. homeopathy? SL: Their complementary nature and non-invasive approach allows the remedies to be used in conjunction with any other form of treatment, medication or healing. The remedies can be used alongside any other natural or man-made medicines and that they will still have the same effect, while not interfering with any other remedy you are taking. Q. How do you envision the evolution of an individual who uses the remedy? SL: I help you to build emotional and mental resilience by giving you clarity of thought, unearthing energetic blockages, and identifying actions that you can take to manifest your goals and desires, in order to reveal your path to positive wellbeing. Bach flowers work on a solely energetic level and affect no purely physical changes whatsoever. Know that you may not feel the flower remedies working, but know that they are. Every cell in our body is responding to our emotional patterns and belief systems. Stress, worry, anger and all other negative emotions are all spiking your cortisol levels. Cortisol can do so much damage to your body e.g. throws off your sleep patterns, moods, energy levels etc. Even holding anger, resentment, sadness in our body in a very subtle level has the same effect over time as cortisol keeps building up. It’s creating an imbalance somewhere in your life whether we know it or not, whether we can see it or not, whether we choose to recognize it or not. Holding any negative emotion in your body, doesn’t matter how subtle it is, it will ripple effect somewhere else. It is inevitable. If your holding a lot of resentment towards your old partner or a family member, it will show up elsewhere (you could be over eating or over exercising or projecting angst onto your new partner – it doesn’t matter how but it will show up and create imbalance.

RESOUND AWARENESS Buddhist Chanting Image credit: RVentures Holidays

RESOUND AWARENESS Buddhist Chanting Image credit: RVentures Holidays

RESOUND Om… This simple yet powerful chant has universal resonance — literally. It is the simplest, most primordial sound that is evoked from deep within us. Ancient Hinduism calls it the Shabda (word)-Brahman (create) — the root word from which all sounds emanate. Vedic, Buddhist or Gregorian, choose your vibe. Chanting as a technique is generally used to prepare the mind for meditation. In Bhutan and Tibet, monks (and their disciples) leverage it in order to elevate to a unique realm of consciousness. Chanting and singing are ancient methods of inducing calm within the mind, body and soul. Scientists have found that chanting has a distinct impact on the hypothalamus and the amygdala in the brain, evoking a state of equilibrium throughout one’s being. Invoking the chant creates a powerful resonance within the body, opening up the diaphragm and allowing you to breathe more deeply, all the way down to the belly. Chanting is an exercise that streamlines the mind, body and spirit in alignment so that they resonate in sync with one another. But it’s not all that easy. First time chanters have different responses. Some people are all set to give a full-throated roar while others find it surprisingly difficult to emanate any sound at all. Pierced By The Arrow Given it’s popularity across the world as a mindful, meditative exercise, there is not a whole lot of scientific evidence collected about the health benefits of chanting. But a few studies have noted that the brain produces a significantly higher number of alpha waves in individuals chanting a spiritual mantra such as the Amitabha Buddha mantra that is popular among the Buddhists sects of the Himalayas. The following was published in an original research article in Frontiers In Psychology in 2017, tells us how The Sallatha Sutta (The Arrow Sutra) in Buddhism distinguishes between a “trained” and “untrained” mind as follows:

RESOUND “An experienced practitioner and a layperson both experience the initial wave of pain in it’s primary state, during a harmful occurrence, as if one is “hit by an arrow.” This is called early stage neural processing, and can’t be avoided. The layperson will be emotionally immobilised by the arrow and may develop further negative emotions such as distress, worry, anger, etc. which are likened to being pierced by a second arrow. An experienced person, however, uses a technique such as chanting to avoid the secondary wave of pain, or what psychologists call later stage attention also processing, which develops as a direct reaction to the “first arrow” of pain.” So why do certain “sacred” words or phrases work better than others? Could it be because of the way they stimulate the vagus nerve? Vocalization & The Vagus The vagus nerve is a long nerve that runs all the way down from the brain stem through the neck, chest and abdominal region. It is associated with multiple functions such as digestion, swallowing, heart rate, taste and more. Your voice box is connected to the vagus nerve as well. Therefore when you hum, sing or better yet, chant — the nerve is optimally stimulated, triggering a feel good response through the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to release stress, pain and tension in the body. According to Shyamal Bodani, who started experimenting with chanting recently as part of his overall wellbeing routine during the Covid-19 lockdown, the sense of upliftment is gradual, but very soothing. “I find that I am sleeping a lot better,” he says. For him, chanting serves as a calming technique that helps him to relax, which he finds fulfilling, and plans to continue. This is the reason why yoga advocates specific vocalization techniques such as humming like a bee or chanting Om, which trigger alpha waves in the brain, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to induce relaxation, and resonate positive vibrations throughout the body. The vagus nerve is also linked to our respiratory function and any technique that involves regulating our breathing brings about a feeling of calm.

RESOUND Trigger Memory & Feeling Ever wonder why a particular piece of music evokes an emotional response? Harmony triggers the brain to create memory recall, and depending on the kind of music, it also stimulates a sense of freedom. When a chant is associated with a feeling of sanctuary and solace, vocalising it automatically triggers the brain to go into “calm mode” and induce a sense of wellbeing. \"Om Mani Padme Hum\" translates as “Hail to the jewel in the lotus.\" It is the mantra of compassion and is chanted to calm fears, soothe concerns and heal broken hearts. Tibetan monks in particular are known for their “throat singing”. This technique amplifies the voice so that the chanter can produce several distinct pitches at the same time. Traditionally, chanting often takes place as a group activity, harnessing the power of each individual within the entire community. Aligning your mind, body and spirit with an entire group of fellow supporters is a powerful feeling. Listen to Nam Myoho Renge Kyo which translates to mean: “Glory to the Lotus Sutra”.





SPIRITED EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION Creative Dance Expression ~ Learning Through The Body

SPIRITED The flick of a wrist. The tilt of a neck. The tinkle of bells on an anklet… In South Asia, the spirit of dance moves us. Deeply. The legends of dance can be traced almost as far back as the beginnings of the cosmos itself. The Natya Shastra (the order of the performing arts) and Natasutras in the Vedas talk about dance being far more than a form of entertainment. According to these ancient treatise, dance is a means by which to transform and elevate oneself to a heightened spiritual plane. Dance is a way of life. The subcontinent is replete with myriad dance forms, each one as evocative as the next. One trains and studies to be a classical Indian dancer with immense focus. For many, their entire life revolves around the study of the dance form that literally builds the human being from a very young age through adolescence into adulthood. Each movement is replete with deep symbolism and many of these have ancient roots in the natural world. With the dance is an equally rigorous introduction to music as rhythm. Beats and harmonics are intrinsic to the life of the dancer. Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, Kathak, Manipuri, Odissi, and Kuchipudi are the six purest forms of classical Indian dance. Even today, schools of dance and academies abound, which will train a student in one of these six disciplines from a young age. By it’s very nature, dance is never stagnant. What we see today is myriad art forms coming together to blend the dance and music of South Asia within a broader creative schema. Like song, dance is the medium to express one’s soul. In South Asia, where symbolic gestures are rife with meaning, dance takes on a differentiated avatar – that of therapy and using the form to express one’s innermost emotion.

SPIRITED Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance, when you’re perfectly free. Struck, the dancers hear the tambourine inside them, as a wave turns the foam on its very top, begin. Maybe you don’t hear that tambourine, all the tree leaves clapping time. Close the ears on your head that listen mostly to lies and cynical jokes. There are other things to hear and see: dance, music and a brilliant city inside the soul. — Rumi Movement is magic. The very nature of the movement is cardiovascular and helps to release a slew of endorphins in the body. With a depth of training and the correct technique, dance moulds the body and enhances both it’s strength and bio-mechanic capability. In South Asia, dance has a deep spiritual and mythical connotation. More often than not, dance is drama. Each dance form has an intricate fabric of costume, masks, and motifs woven into the movement itself. Kathakali, in particular, is as famous for it’s visuals as for it’s movements. In fact the very root of the word “Kathakali” or “Kathak” — two of the six pure forms — comes from the word “Katha” which means story. Dance is always a narrative, a tradition of storytelling that is depicted through the body, rather than retold in an oral tradition or written down by a scribe.

SPIRITED The body talks. Through creative dance expression, one depicts one’s own story. One interprets the emotion — not in words, but through the body. A flexed foot, an upturned palm, a crooked finger, all of these weave together to create a tale. Like music, dance is a universal language. Dancers communicate with another through the vibrations of the body — and South Asia is a melting pot of dance traditions that have amalgamated over time into the subcontinent’s meld of emotion and motion. The backdrop matters. Kalbelia, the esoteric dance inspired by the serpents of the desert, is distinct to the Thar, while Bharatnatyam is rooted in Tamil Nadu’s rich cultural tradition. Supplant the form and consciously recreate it against a different backdrop — the entire interpretation changes. Level up the music and give it a twist and you’ve infused a whole different nuance into the scene. That’s the beauty of dance – it evolves, like water, seamlessly transitioning from one avatar to the next. Kathak and Flamenco, which are two very distinct forms of traditional dance from different parts of the world, come together to create a vibrant and exotic blend. Throw in a touch of jazz amid a backdrop of sand dunes and a whole different world unfurls before your eyes. One of the most vivid examples of this is in the dances of the Siddi tribes of Gujarat, who originated among Moorish slaves from North Africa and have come to stay upon the western shores of India for centuries. They may have adapted to accommodate Gujarati culture but at it’s core, the African element runs deep in their dance forms. Creative dance expression knows no limits. It draws you in, peeling back layer after layer, to reveal an untold depth of human connection — the ultimate allure for the traveler.

MYTH + MOTIF CULTURE & HERITAGE Tourism & The Arts, Crafts and Design of India

MYTH + MOTIF CULTURE & HERITAGE Tourism & The Arts, Crafts and Design of India

MYTH + MOTIF India is a story which keeps unfolding. You feel it, touch it, taste it, smell it, listen to it, and discover it — even as you observe yourself evolving inside. There is usually a paradigm shift – regardless of whether you were actively seeking it or not. One transforms. The journey is a chrysalis and you are inspired, motivated and engaged. Even compelled to step out of your comfort zone — it has it’s own butterfly effect on what’s happening inside you. That, to me, is the essence of experiential travel in India. Whether it’s the scent of frangipani, the texture of tasser silk, the flavour of cardamom chai, the filigree of an earring, a Mudra… it doesn’t matter. The narrative may develop in many different ways, but the ethos remains constant. What I do is constantly hone this narrative, drip-irrigated across myriad motifs, to define and reinforce an ethos. An epic journey is a spellbinding story. The where is juxtaposed against who, what, when, why and how. Each layer of experience adds a nuance that draws you in. More often than not, these experiences are rooted in distinctive elements and concepts – many of which are derived from a rich tradition of symbolism and nature that is depicted in the arts, crafts and design motifs of the subcontinent. The subcontinent’s artistic motifs are the cornerstones of a journey across our part of the world. I’ve grown up traveling across India all my life. And when people ask me what my favourite journey is, I often tell them that it is The Sari: The Story of India. Why? When we weave a sari, we weave a story. Each sari is a window to the history and heritage of the subcontinent. Some saris are tangible vestiges of ancient diplomacy and cross-cultural exchange. Saris are poignant essays in the rich textile history of India — which shaped the entire history of India. Saris share an entire story like a scroll. Indian weavers are known for depicting classical motifs. The Chyrsanthemum, which symbolises joy and optimism across Asia, is particularly popular with the weavers of Tamil Nadu and offers timeless inspiration to artisans and craftsmen. And while the design itself is iconic and elegant, what makes it so compelling is its narrative.

MYTH + MOTIF The Tree of Life (kalpa vruksha) and the Vase of Plenty (Purna Kumbha), are two motifs that have an incredible story that is intrinsic to India, woven into them to symbolise two extremely esoteric concepts — rebirth and creation. Was the narrative of the Kalpa Vruksha the inspiration behind the Garden of Eden? From a traveler’s perspective, these motifs are the visuals that spin the story we call India – and provide the reasons for visiting our part of the world. In turn, this segues into an infinite repository of symbolism that is not only intrinsic to our own culture, but which has influenced so much of the world throughout history. That is the ultimate essence of a great brand. Now let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture and see how this is actually plays out before us even as we speak. In art, in architecture and in design, we often combine motifs, creating an entire ecosystem that provides a cultural fabric. Take a place like the Rajbari in Bawali, outside Calcutta. Built by an erstwhile sugar merchant over 300 years ago, the structure fell into such deep disrepair that the roots had grown over it and wolves patrolled it’s corridors. The current owner has literally resurrected it from the ground up, restoring the façade, upcycling a fascinating collection of artefacts including the chassis of a TATA truck, old tea chests, driftwood, and brass work to create an eclectic, avant-garde ambience – where every step creates an epiphany, infusing beautiful nuggets of history such as Satyajit Ray’s love for the property, blending traditional Bengali food with other diaspora culinary influences that co-exist in Bengal, revitalising the tradition of Bengali literature, shlokas, art, dance and local Baul music, to bring it to guests. The team is dressed in beautiful Bengali handloom textiles, and the wellbeing is amalgamated from nature and a wellness culture across the subcontinental east. Step back a little more and the property becomes a gateway to the environs. Exploring the ancient terracotta temples, bicycle rides through the countryside to explore the local biodiversity of the region, boat-trips on the Hooghly complete with a glass of beer, a Kolkatta smoked cheese and a local musician to serenade you as the sun sets… It sets a unique context for your stay in this hidden corner of West Bengal, and creates a very personal sense of atithi devo bhava. (Note for the reader: This excerpt is a part of a broader panel discussion on Tourism & The Arts, Crafts and Design of India. Click here to view the entire panel discussion)



Nature/Nurture INNOVATION Biophilic Design

NATURE/ NURTURE Many years ago, as a child, I remember stepping into a beautiful room at Gajner palace in western Rajasthan. There was a set of three paintings on the wall, that looked like watercolours. Except they weren’t watercolours. If you went close enough, you could just about make out that they were extremely fine embroidery, which had been inspired by the sunset over the palace lake. Inspiration drawn from nature is intrinsic South Asian culture. We see motifs from the biological world in everything from textiles to religion, architecture to literature — yet biophilic design as a concept is just growing into the subcontinental soil. Green walls, foliage facades, vertical gardens and rooftop farms are slowly finding root in urban areas, as concrete jungles go green. India’s vast biodiversity is massively inspirational to biophilics. What if we turned our concrete jungles back into abodes of nature. Imagine going to work inside a building designed on the same lines as a termite mound? Or road systems that follow the curves of a nautilus shell? In densely packed urban areas where respiratory issues are rampant and clean air is a commodity, could a cocoon of oxygenating greenery be a solution — not to mention, more pleasing to the eye? The Lotus Temple in Delhi is iconic and a beautiful example of nature and nurture in absolute harmony.

NATURE/ NURTURE Earth colours stimulate our senses to remain tranquil and calm, even under pressure. Shades of green in particular are known to have a therapeutic visual effect. In a world where robotic limbs are inspired by the trunk of an elephant, and surgical sutures have been devised on the basis of the threads of a spider’s web, South Asia is simply teeming with inspiration for human-centric biophilic design. All we have to do is observe the intricacies of our natural habitat, with a trained eye and a mind open to the possibilities that nature affords us. The Lotus Temple ~ The Baha’i House of Worship, New Delhi: According to WorldArchitecture.org, the architect of the Lotus Temple, Fariborz Sabha, took two primary elements of nature, water and light, and used them as ornamentation in place of idols or statues. The structure is inspired by the lotus blossom, with three layers of nine petals each, rising up from the base. The dome has a double layer, and is inspired by the core of the lotus. It has 54 ribs, with shells made of concrete in between. The structure reflects natural light with a series of skylights that are designed within the petals’ structure. Light filters through in the same manner as it would within a lotus flower. Nine water bodies surround the structure, giving the impression of lotus pads, surrounding the flower, and giving off the impression that the building is afloat. Air passes over the fresh water pools and thus cools itself, before entering the structure, and is drawn in through vents in the basement, into the central hall, and it then expelled from the top of the building.

Image credit: Shahpura Bagh

WATER IS LIFE SUSTAINABILITY Sustainable Water

WATER IS LIFE In a hidden corner of south-east Rajasthan, lies an oasis – 250 waterbodies that are an ecological haven. This pristine habitat is a best-kept secret, a wilderness full of migratory birds, aquatic life, and rare flora and fauna. These waterbodies are a brilliant example of human intervention in harmony with nature. As early as the 14th century, Rajadhiraj Nahar Singh, the then ruler of Shahpura realized that the citizens of his kingdom were suffering due to a lack of sufficient water. So he built the first series of waterbodies to harvest rainwater. His experiment was so successful that each successive generation carried on the tradition, and even today, his descendents continues to actively maintain, clean and repair the water system that supplies water across the entire region. The beautifully restored Shahpura Bagh is the hub for the family’s philanthropy, sustainability and hospitality that has a vast ripple effect across the region. Thanks to their hands-on efforts, the farms and orchards flourish, the lakes are full of fish, and the wetlands have become a winter roost for an array of exotic species that migrate from as far as Eurasia and Siberia. And the landscape is simply stunning. In ancient times, water harvesting was intrinsic to the culture of western India. Stepwells, which are known as vavs in the local language, were constructed by local rulers and richly adorned and decorated as not just a catchment for water, but also as a tribute to the rich architectural and sculptural heritage of the region. In those days, stepwells were functional pieces of art, that brought sustenance to both the body and the soul of the people. Today, one can still visit the stepwells of Gujarat and Rajasthan as cultural monuments, but sadly they are no longer being used for their original purpose of harvesting water, despite the worsening drought in these regions. If we can harvest our ice and snow in remote regions like Ladakh, then harvesting our fog is just a natural progression. In the highlands where the temperatures are extreme and the nights are cold and misty, fog harvesting is another low-cost and easily deployed method of harvesting water from the atmosphere. Capturing condensation from the atmosphere and filtering it into catchment areas is a practice that is carried out in several parts of the world – so why not ours?

WATER IS LIFE In a hidden cIn a region like South Asia where we have no shortage of coastline, desalination on a large scale is a very viable option. In fact, it’s already a standard practice in the Maldives and several parts of the Middle East. Yet we face acute shortages of fresh water in several parts of the subcontinent throughout the year. If a country like Kenya can deploy desalination along it’s coastline to serve the entire nation, why can’t we? Water is a vital commodity and the industry across the world is fierce. In a bid to harness fresh water resources for profit in many parts of the world, we have encroached upon critical natural habitats and communities who depend on these environs for their livelihood. Should we not first look at ways to harness the water that nature provides us with anyway, before we irrevocably damage our ecosystems? Water is life, after all. Why waste it?

SHUNYATA REWILDING Mathematics + the Spirit of the Subcontinent

SHUNYATA An Ocean in Motion The waves lashed the black basalt with brute force. The ocean glinted blue-green in the afternoon sun, exuding strength (and just a hint of malice). Ahangama is a sleepy stretch of shoreline, situated at the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka. The tide froths up on the rocky shoreline with raw power, a favourite with surfers in the know. I stand there on the craggy outcrop, and see the swell start to build, gaining force with rapid velocity, until it slams into the cliff on which I am standing — an ancient rock that has withstood the test of time. And then the before my eyes, the entire process starts over with mesmerising precision in an endless motion. “Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.” ― Lao Tzu This is nature at it’s most elemental. The incredible topography, flora and fauna of South Asia are a mirror for the laws of nature. In several ancient civilizations, the concept of beauty and harmony is based on a mathematical sequence which creates a specific ratio ie that is colloquially called the “golden ratio”. The curvature of an ocean wave is the first dimension of the geometry of the universe. Sands Of Time, Sri Lanka Take a step back from the shoreline and sift your fingers through the sand to pick up the shells that have been washed ashore by the tide, discarded by their inhabitants. The whorls of each shell are in perfect symmetry, perhaps best observed in the spiral artistry of the nautilus shell. This is the next dimension.

SHUNYATA Honing in on the Horn, across the Subcontinent Move into the rainforests of South India and you start to see the wave in many more places. From the bend in a fern tendril to the curls of an elephant’s trunk, the artistic symmetry of the universe makes itself apparent. It’s perhaps most noticeable in the subcontinent’s most unusual and rare horned creatures — particularly those that are endemic to the region. The curved horn of the Tahr – a specific species related to the ibex family, can be seen in both the Nilgiris of South India and in the upper reache of the Trans-Himalaya. Far larger than the Tahr, but equally soft of foot and a creature to be reckoned with, the wicked curve of the Gaur’s (Indian bison) horn is perfectly symmetrical. Delve deep into the east of the subcontinent into Assam, amid the vast swamp, marsh and wetland wildernesses where the water buffalo run wild. These rangy creatures have longer, leaner horns that curve out of their head form a crescent shaped halo around their ears. The Song of the Water Buffalo In the rugged terrain of Nepal and Assam, the horn of the wild water buffalo is symbolic of the spirit of a dead person, and the buffalo is thought to be the reincarnation of the individual who has passed. The Assamese and Nepalese people have a special musical instrument, made from the horn of the wild water buffalo and it’s sound is believed to be a clarion call to the dead person as he or she trans-mutates through death, disembodiment and regenerates into a different state. Horns of the Himalaya In the elevated environs of the Himalayas, the horn’s prestige is heightened. In Bhutan and Tibet the most widely used horn is the dungchen which is played by Buddhist monks of the lama order, and it’s plaintive cry carries over the mountain. The dungchen is offered played in pairs and it’s sound is compared to the song of the elephants, and some pilgrims believe that it is the primordial sound which transports you back to your mother’s womb.

SHUNYATA Level up. The higher you go, nature reveals it’s incredible symmetry in the twists and curves of the horns of the Himalayan serow, the Kashmiri goat, the Bharal, the Tibetan antelope, the Tibetan gazelle, the Markhor, and the Saiga of Central Asia. In Perfect Proportion True Capricorns, steadily ascending their mountain. Amid the spiral of the sea-goat’s horn and it’s piscine tail, we see the curve of the wave — from ocean to mountain, a figure of eight or infinite possibility. We see it again in the Ram’s horns, two enormous spirals side by side, the sign of Aries, from whence the world begins. The curve of the wave, the whorls of the shell, the curls of the pachyderm’s trunk, now in three dimensions. And once again nature gives us the ratio, which in mathematical terms is calculated as 1.6, otherwise known as Phi.. The ratio, or proportion, determined by Phi (1.618 …) was known to the Greeks as the “dividing a line in the extreme and mean ratio” and to Renaissance artists as the “Divine Proportion” It is also called the Golden Section, Golden Ratio and the Golden Mean. The Middle Path The doctrine of the middle path is Buddha’s earliest lesson, and a founding principal of the faith — a life lived in divine proportion, a perfect balance between austerity and affluence. The middle path has “eight folds” which if followed faithfully, release one’s spirit from the cycles of reincarnation, to become directly one with the universe: view, intention, speech, action, effort, livelihood, mindfulness, focus. The Frequency of Compassion Did you know that at the height of compassion, human beings give off a frequency that is approximately 1.618 hz? Scientists and psychologists who study emotional responsiveness, have found that this frequency tends to recur across a range of subjects when they experience deep compassion. Buddhism is built on a foundation of compassion. The desire to alleviate suffering was the Buddha’s call to faith.

SHUNYATA Give & Take In the Tibetan tradition, Tonglen is a philosophical practice wherein the practitioner absorbs the negativity evoked by a given situation, and in turn returns positivity and compassion back. Tonglen is a conscious process and often takes place as a meditative practice. Tonglen evokes the spirit of Shunyata, a state of being which is the highest form of wisdom. Compassion and wisdom are perennial partners in crime. Wisdom arises from compassion, and likewise compassion grows out of wisdom. Like Justice, emotion and logic are weighed against one another in a delicate balance. As we sow, so do we reap. Teachers, Travellers, Troubadours & Thangkas The Lama Mani tradition – the telling of Buddhist parables through song — dates back to the 12th century. The songs were performed by wandering storytellers, who travelled from village to village, drawing on their own often humble origins to relate to people from all backgrounds. Vividly illustrated Buddhist thangka paintings depicted the narrative and helped the audience understand what was essentially a teaching. Full Circle Perhaps that’s why sound is so important in Buddhism – at the perfect pitch, it carries waves of compassion into the universe. So the waves of compassion flow synchronously with the motion of the ocean, and nature comes around full circl “There must be something strangely sacred about salt. It is in our tears and it is in the sea.” – Kahlil Gibran

FOOTNOTE “Enso” (formally spelled ensō) is a symbol of enlightenment. The word comes from Zen Buddhism meaning “circle of togetherness”. Drawing the Enso is a meditative practice in itself. The artist may only use a single calligraphic brushstroke, allowing the mind to let go, and the body to simply be. Unfettered. The circle symbolises beauty in imperfection; letting go of expectations; the life cycle; karma; connection and cognition. Enso isn’t any particular thing. It simply is. Simply the artist at the moment of creation. Elegant, strong and focussed, in acceptance of the innermost self. In the moment of it’s creation the artist is unveiled exposed to absolute truth. Author. Unknown.