The Auroville collection

From incense and essential oils, hand made paper products, ceramic to the hand painted silks, the Auroville collection at the new shop `Ocean' is a must-see. The Hindu Tuesday, Jul 30, 2002

ONE OF the momentous discoveries of the ancient rishis was the fourth level of human existence beyond the matter, life and mind, which is immortality. "The rishis read the riddle of death and found the secret of immortality," Sri Aurobindo had said. Also known as the supramental plane, he envisaged this to be the next step in the evolutionary ladder wherein the higher power associated would help transform the conditions of human existence. In confluence with this philosophy of higher plane of living exists the cultural, international, industrial and residential zones comprising the galaxy town plan at Auroville, situated at about eight kilometres from Pondicherry.

That work, even manual work, is sometimes indispensable for inner discovery- about 1,500 residents from 30 countries across the world depict a unique synthesis working with the local villages to create pieces of art at the burgeoning handicraft and small-scale industry here. And what one gets to observe, as end results are works of fusion - the ethnic flavour laced with an international look, and functionality at the core.