Nature always invites us to stop for a moment, to listen, to observe and to connect. On the occasion of International Mother Earth Day, New Acropolis Mumbai hosted a series of hands-on workshops on 4th May 2025, to learn from Nature’s wisdom, that exists around us and within us.
Earth’s Blueprint: Creating Art with Sunlight explored the art of Cyanotype printing – a photographic printing process using sunlight, going back to the basics. Through an afternoon of learning, experimenting and reflecting together, happy participants explored nature’s beauty and harmony – looking at everyday natural objects with depth and wonder.
Beyond the technique and history of this creative process, the workshop was an opportunity to explore Art and Philosophy as means to observe and understand life more deeply they investigated nature’s abundance, versatility and simplicity – while learning about sustainable practices, caring for plants and the joy of reconnecting with nature in our urban settings.
Held by cyanotype artist, graphic designer and philosopher member of New Acropolis Janki Mehta, participants took home multiple prints, bookmarks and notebooks capturing the fleeting imprints of nature.
Hands on with Nature: Creating Bamboo Planters brought together participants to work with their hands and heart – transforming natural bamboo into beautiful planters for their own homes.
Together they investigated nature’s abundance, versatility and simplicity – while learning about sustainable practices, caring for plants and the joy of reconnecting with nature in our urban settings.
Cultivating Consciousness: Kitchen Gardening was a mindful urban gardening session exploring how gardening nurtures both the Earth and the self through patience, care and presence. Participants worked with soil, learning about soil ecology, natural fertilizers, creating compost from kitchen waste, and took home their own trays of planted microgreens.
Nature is ever giving and the source of the many ecological challenges we face today, perhaps stem from our growing disconnection from her.
This day long celebration, which was part of a global celebration by New Acropolis in over 50 countries, reminded participants that we are an integral part of nature, and like all beings who inhabit our Earth, have a role to play within the whole.
The participants were also invited to contribute to a collaborative Mandala using natural elements – a celebration of the strength and beauty of diversity, when it is bound by what unites us. Perhaps here, we can discover a philosophical key for living with more harmony – with each other and our mother Earth.
