We are currently raising funds and support to study the Design of learning. Communities that live in alignment to nature, often learn in a particular design that is very effective and in alignment with nature's laws and principles. We have started our research and development in Attapadi, Kerala to understand the modality of learning through sound, daily rhythms and chores, rituals that are around nature and life that is lived in alignment with nature. We believe, deciphering this understanding will enable us to reconfigure our ways of being and doing that are antagonistic to natural environments and how nature intended the world to be!
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Some of the modalities are very powerful and effective ways of processing information, learning a skill and developing a way of life that nurtures nature rather than destroying natural environments for financial profits.
Creativity enables us to look at what already exists with a different view point; to reinvent the possibility in ways that are meaningful for all. Creativity is also utilizing resources in a manner that allows for maximizing of potential; we are also creative when we can do a lot with very little!
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Innovation on the other hand, is creating something new! Innovation is beyond discovery. Creativity can fall under the realm of discovery in some cases but innovation is building new products and services to solve problems around us. We work on several aspects of the innovation cycle and help startups, entrepreneurs and other relevant learners
At Ajahn, we have made it our mission to preserve dying traditions of south India , art and craft forms , rituals, way of life , cuisines and the celebration of the mundane! We envision innovation in entrepreneurship and learning to foster a culture of the learning organization, which is the way ahead. Cocreation with collaborators and partners is central to our vision for mentoring as well as for shared values and mission. Ajahn also engages with students in a mentoring role and works in student development and allied areas like building a brand ,market research, surveys and hands on maker portfolios, prototyping, design and job readiness.
We believe in cocreating possibilities and win -win outcomes for everyone involved! Cocreation allows freedom of expression, imagination, vulnerability ...all of which allow us to stretch our limits and create value for ourselves and society at large. Our stakeholders including startups we work with, NGO's , interns that come to work with us and participants in our programs benefit from our egalitarian attitude and inclusive approach
We strive to preserve and revive art and craft traditions across India through studies, immersion programs, travel and documentation. For example, as we studied Golu or Bomme Habba or BommalaKoluvu as the art of doll staging is widely known; we found out about the artisans who were local potters, and notably made terracotta horses (puravi) for the worship of Ayyanar (prevedic animistic deity) retrained in making koluvu figurines around the 1960s, and have since been recognized in their new field of work. So, along with tradition of Bommalakoluvu , we are now able to study Ayyanar and associated worship of Saptamatrika with doll offerings. This tradition is an ancient Pashupata tradition coming down from Indus valley civilization and is still alive today! There is a lot of work going on in preserving textiles, crafts etc. but very little in terms of preserving traditions. Ajahn fills the gap, we are committed to preservation of Pashupata traditions to include the groves of Ayyanar, Kattu Narasimha. VanaDurga, Navagraha and Mangai-Nataraja among others !!
