Project Team April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 AuroYouth Team Project Lead Shivakumar has a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering and spent five years in the private sector, before re-orienting his life towards full-time spiritual pursuit. He has been a part of Sri Aurobindo Society at Puducherry since 2001 and has taken up various roles in the organization. Shivakumar is now a Director of Sri Aurobindo Society’s AuroYouth program and a Director of Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Integral Education and Research (SAFIER), the educational wing of the Society. For any details regarding the Project, please write to: Shivakumar – Director, AuroYouth & SAFIER Sri Aurobindo Society No. 11, Saint Martin Street Puducherry – 605 001, India M: +91 94426 25637 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.aurosociety.org Film Director and Production Studio Suresh Eriyat, popularly known as E. Suresh, is an Indian animator, director and founder of his animation studio Studio Eeksaurus. His film Fateline won Annecy Cristal Award and both Fisherwoman and Tuk-Tuk and Tokri won National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Animation Film. After graduating from the prestigious NID (National Institute of Design), he started his animation career with Famous House of Animation. He was the first to launch clay animation commercials in India. He created Amaron battery advertisements, music video Bindu re Bindu, the Simpu series for Channel V, MTV Poga series, Johnny Bravo goes to Bollywood, Levis Slim vs. Slim, Google Tanjore paintings and many more things. Suresh set up Studio Eeksaurus in 2009, India’s first studio which has mastered the art of intertwining animation with live action to synthesize new ideas and unforgettable brand identities. The studio is a well established one now, having won plenty of awards & accolades such as the Annecy, Abby, Hiroshima, New York Television awards, Asia Pacific Adfest awards, Spikes Asia, Cannes Lions, Epica, Clio, HaFF, Promax, Ajijic, Animamundi, Krok, Anima, Teheran International Animation Festival and Stuttgart to a name a few. www.studioeeksaurus.com Facebook | Youtube | Vimeo | Instagram |
Sri Aurobindo: India’s Freedom and Beyond – A Short Animation Film April 5, 2021April 10, 2021 AuroYouth Team Synopsis of the Project “India moves to a deeper and greater life than the world has yet imagined possible….” – Sri Aurobindo Description A short animation film on Sri Aurobindo, based on our research into his role in India’s freedom. It will cover the period of Sri Aurobindo’s life from when he returned to India after his education in England (1893) to the eventful meeting of the Mother with him (1914). This is the most visible part of Sri Aurobindo’s public life and most thrilling to the youth of India and the world. His further work at Pondicherry will also be suggestively included. Purpose Introduce Sri Aurobindo to the youth of India and the world, to inspire them Do this in a modern medium of communication as a work of timeless art Film Style Animation, of a high artistic quality and aesthesis Technically & technologically on par with international standards Film Duration Apprx. 20 min. Project By AuroYouth & SAFIER, the youth & educational initiatives of Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry Timeline Trailer to be ready by May 2021 Full film to be ready for release on 15th August 2022, the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo Film Budget A seed fund of Rs. 16 lakhs is needed immediately for a short trailer. The creation of the trailer will help us to derive the style of art and characters. It will give us a taste of what is being made and can be used as a means for raising funds for the full film. The full project cost INR 1.4Cr to 1.5Cr. This is an offering to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother by all of us who work for the realisation of Their vision. Why Are We Making This Animation Film for Youth? 15th Aug. 2022 is the 75th year of India’s independence and also the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo, a freedom fighter, writer par-excellence, spiritual poet and Yogi. As a freedom fighter during the early 20th century, Sri Aurobindo fired up all of India to fight for Her Poorna Swaraj, complete independence, through his brilliant writings and subsequent political actions. His integrity, intense patriotism and political acumen lead to the view of the British Government which was clearly expressed in what Lord Minto, the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India, wrote about Sri Aurobindo: “I can only repeat … that he is the most dangerous man we now have to reckon with.” We are making an animation film on Sri Aurobindo’s role in India’s freedom movement, to inspire the youth and students of our country about the salience and importance of Sri Aurobindo’s contribution as a nation-builder. The upcoming 150th birth anniversary will be the perfect time to bring out this film keeping in mind the spirit of the youth. And in a medium and language that resonates with the young. Highlights of the Animation Film The animation film plans to highlight: How Sri Aurobindo brought the power of an active spirituality into politics and worked for the birth of a Free India. How he experienced the source of Indian culture as a spiritual power which constantly guides and renews; recovered the true sense and importance of Vedas His planting the seeds of a revolutionary national education which has its roots in Indian spirituality and is meant to prepare future citizens of India, well-rounded in their growth and capacities, to work for building the nation. Sri Aurobindo not only lit the fire of complete freedom for his country which was under the rule of the British Raj and worked for the renaissance of its culture, but also, later, opened the doors of the future while living a secluded life in Pondicherry. His life is a vast synthesis of Matter and Spirit, the Ancient and the Modern, the human and the Divine. About The Animation Style of the Film Film Style The medium of animation film allows for fine artistic expressions. Sri Aurobindo has written highly about the Bengal artists like Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose and the renaissance of India’s artistic genius through their work. We wish to derive the art style of the film based on their works to capture the essence of that spirit. We want to create something of timeless artistic value that can be shown in any of the international film festivals and inspire the generations to come. Film Director and Production Studio We have commissioned this film to an animation studio in Mumbai http://studioeeksaurus.com who are well established in this field with many national and international awards. The director and lead animator of the film will be Suresh Eriyath who is the founder of the studio with 20 years of experience. Inspiration for the Animation Style We want this film to be a fine work of art expressive of the spirit of India that can be shown in any of the international film festivals for not only its message but also for its artistic value. Besides, we want the film to be of timeless value. To do so, animation is a perfect medium, especially to make it as a work of art. But which artistic style and spirit shall we follow? A guiding light can be found in Sri Aurobindo’s own words. He wrote in 1909 in Karmayogin under the title ‘The Awakening Soul of India’: “In Bengal, again, the national spirit is seeking to satisfy itself in art and, for the first time since the decline of the Moguls, a new school of national art is developing itself, the school of which Abanindranath Tagore is the founder and master.” These two paintings, first one by Nandalal Bose and the second by Abanindranath Tagore, are some of the finest examples of the new creation in art in Bengal of that time. Later in 1918, Sri Aurobindo wrote in his essay ‘The Renaissance in India’: “This [renaissance of national art of India] is a true new creation, and we may expect that the artistic mind of the rest of India will follow through the gate thus opened, but we may expect it too to take on there other characteristics and find other ways of expression; ….” This is the spirit we wish to express through the film and the art style of the animation is to be closely derived from these examples representing the timeless spirit of India in new forms. For more information, please write to: Shivakumar – Director, AuroYouth & SAFIER Sri Aurobindo Society No. 11, Saint Martin Street Puducherry – 605 001, India M: +91 94426 25637 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.aurosociety.org
Donations February 19, 2021April 7, 2021 AuroYouth Team How You Can Participate & Contribute We have already started preparing the grounds for this Animation film by working with a team of professionals and gathering the support of like-minded people. Our first target is to come up with a trailer, for which a seed fund of about Rs. 14 lakhs is needed urgently. The project itself has an estimated budget of Rs. 1.4 to 1.5 crores, in order to ensure that it is of a high quality in all its aspects. We need a lot of financial support to make this happen and this is an appeal to you to contribute to this labour of love, aspiration & effort from us. You can contribute financially and in other ways towards this effort and help this film to take shape by Aug. 15, 2022, the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo. Your contributions to this project are eligible for 100% tax benefit under section 35(i)(iii) of the Indian Income Tax Act. Please use the following details for your financial contributions: Indian nationals Foreign nationals I. Online Payment: https://rzp.io/l/IoIsRqrR II. Bank Transfer (NEFT/IMPS/RTGS): Bank: Yes Bank Account Holder Name: Sri Aurobindo Society Account No.: 054294600000264 IFSC Code: YESB0000542 Account Type: Savings Branch Address: Door No.24, Ambalathadayar Madam St., Pondicherry – 605 001 I. Online Payment: https://rzp.io/l/ApucElY II. Bank Transfer: Bank: HDFC Bank Account Holder Name: Sri Aurobindo Society Account No.: 12781170000011 IFSC Code: HDFC0001278; SWIFT Code: HDFCINBBCHE Account Type: Savings Branch Address: Abhirami Plaza Branch, No. 4 & 5, 45 Feet Road, Vallalar Salai, Pondicherry – 605 011 Once the Bank transfer is successfully done, please share the following details with us via email to [email protected]. These details are needed to prepare and send the official receipt: Indian nationals Foreign nationals • Amount transferred • Transaction reference number and date of transaction • Full name of the contributor • Postal Address • Contact number • PAN (required for donations greater than or equal to INR 5,000) • Amount transferred • Transaction reference number and date of transaction • Full name of the contributor • Postal Address • Contact number and email • Purpose of contribution • Copy of Passport (optional)
ALL INDIA YOUTH CAMP ~ INNER FLIGHTS October 16, 2019October 16, 2019 AuroYouth Team Date:04-Jan-2020 — 12-Jan-2020 EVENT: All India Youth Camp—Inner Flights WHERE: Society House, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry LAST DATE FOR APPLYING: October 30, 2019 AGE RESTRICTION FOR APPLYING: 18 – 28 years MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION: Rs. 5,000/- (Includes accommodation & food provided by us during the Camp) What this Camp is About There is a need to address the spaces within us, within our minds and hearts and dreams and aspirations. We must address these spaces, if we are to do anything of substantial value on the outside. If you are somebody (or know somebody) who wishes to deep dive within and unearth the galore of potential and unique gifts we all come with, then this Camp is the right place to be. Come along and surrender to the process. Interact. Agree to what feels right and disagree and discuss till you get to what feels right. Listen and Share. Meet people like you and unlike you. Adjust. Unlearn and learn with the help of the facilitators, the intense atmosphere here in Pondy and your own willingness to partake of this collective journey. Be prepared for intellectual stimulation, emotional churning and physical rejuvenation as we spend 9 days exploring concepts relevant to our lives, relationships, careers and choices along with a deeper exchange through spaces of silence and quietude. Do not come expecting out of this Camp anything but heightened self-awareness, a rhythm of review and silence, clarity of thoughts, channelizing of emotions, memories of spectacular sunrises at the East Coast of India and new friends from across the country. Definitely do not come if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a Goa trip. The processes we undertake are deep, personal and require immense discipline and respect. These camps are being organised annually by us for the past 33 years and have been inspiring and transforming young lives all over. Can I Apply? Yes, if you are between 18-28 years of age and are willing to accept that several others like you are coming to this because they’re serious about growing and evolving You have not attended this camp earlier You must have a working knowledge of English as the sessions will be conducted in English Come with an open mind. With a willingness to learn. Even more willingness to un-learn. No fussing about simple vegetarian food and basic lodging arrangements at our guesthouse that we provide! Our sessions are from early morning to late evening; so, come prepared. Camp Contribution: On selection, a minimum contribution of Rs. 5,000/- per person to be made. For those who for specific genuine reasons are unable to make the requisite contribution, please write to us separately by e-mail, to know of the options we provide. Application Form Download the Application Form (click to download), fill it up and send it to us by courier/e-mail. Or, apply online using our online application form. Late applications received will be considered only if seats are left; so check up with us before you send late application forms. Those selected for attending the Camp will be informed by e-mail, latest by 4th Nov. 2019. We reserve all rights of admission. Cancellation: In case of cancellations made by participants before 15th Dec. 2019, Rs. 3500, will be returned. Camp Venue For the first 6 days, we will stay in Puducherry city and the last 3 days, we will be on a Retreat in our serene and eco-friendly lakeland ‘Sharanam — National Centre of Excellence’ which is about 10 kms. from the Puducherry town. To know more of the ‘Pondy Experience’, visit: http://www.aurosociety.org/society/index/About-Puducherry An Important Note We love meeting new people each year and do everything in our capacity to ensure that this whole learning process is fun and eventful. However, failure to comply with certain non-negotiable guidelines and rules will result in immediate suspension from the programme. The venue for the programme and the places we will be visiting are in and around the Ashram area and Auroville – both are places of Sadhana, of silence and inner work. It is essential to respect our surroundings to guarantee the success of this collective journey. About the Main Facilitators Shivakumar, Director, AuroYouth (Youth Wing of Sri Aurobindo Society) has been organising the national youth camps for the past 18 years at Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry. Shivakumar grew up in Kerala. After his graduation in Engineering (Mechanical), a diploma in Computer-Aided-Design, and a 5-year stint in the corporate world, he decided to take a break from formal work and started engaging himself in full-time study and practice of Indian spirituality, especially the Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. He’s known to be calm in raging storms and also to facilitate the storms that rise within us all. He came into contact with the Sri Aurobindo Society and joined it in 2001, to be part of its objective of working towards a global spiritualised society as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo. He is also part of its educational team. Riddhi Shah, is known for many things, among which following her heart’s path and her love for questioning all things taken for granted, are two. Experienced in people processes, community building and learning from mistakes, she has worked relentlessly for over 13 years in various spaces such as Education, Empowerment and Ecology. When she’s not cross-questioning Gram Panchayats and authorities or doing workshops for Principals and teachers, she can be seen painting walls with jail inmates or singing songs with soldiers near the border. Uncaring for society’s approval or permission, she has walked on her path unapologetically, positively impacting lives in over 15 States of India and close to 3000 schools, organisations, institutions and collectives. Though she hails from Mumbai and lives out of a suitcase, Puducherry is what she calls home for reasons you will know when you come here. A glimpse from last year’s Youth Camp: http://bit.ly/2Ui2bPt Some feedback from our last year’s youth camp ‘Undiscovered Shores – 2019’: The camp was filled with calm and intense energy and it did not dip at all during the whole of the camp. … we felt a connection with ourselves + stars + universe + galaxy! —Akhila Bandi My belief in the Divine increased and I would love to come back. The Auroville trip was the best experience! The people I met there, the Peace! I was one with me! The Banyan tree! That day would forever be dotted in my memory. And I’m going back… —Nivedita Raghupal Inner Stillness, Fearless Shore, dance, music, drawing in Nature – all of these sessions pushed my limits and allowed me to be what I want to be. Vande Mataram and dance sessions: Best! Best!! Best!!! Can we have 5 more days to have more sessions with all the facilitators. —Rithwik M Singh The seamless flow from topic to topic involving not merely individual but also collective participation, lead to 30 hearts & heads working together! The camp was inspirational. —Abhinav Kadambi Last 3 days at Sharanam: It changed my perception of beauty, of concentration, of life, of Nature, and I discovered myself and how to live. Truly live. And I just want to say that this camp has changed my life! —Sindhuja Khare In search of calmness, I look for triggers outside and allow them to affect my calm. Through the Camp, I realised that the bright light within us has to be heard and nurtured; it is indeed our Guide, our Friend. I was able to believe myself a little more, trust and be fearless, remove my own inhibitions. I really, really hope to carry the Light forward. —Palak Dubey
Changemakers Youth Conclave (Feb. 3-4, 2017) September 26, 2017September 28, 2017 AuroYouth Team Ashoka Innovators for the Public (Ashoka) in association with Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, organized the ‘Changemakers Youth Conclave 2017’ on February 3 and 4, 2017, to provide a common platform to new generation of young social entrepreneurs and leaders from different sectors of the society together to devise ways to sustain and enhance the engagement of youth in the process of change-making. Click here for the full report
One-day AuroYouth Camp in Konnagar, West Bengal September 26, 2017 AuroYouth Team AuroYouth has been conducting nationwide day-long youth camps. A one-day camp for 22 youths was organized by the Konnagar Branch of Sri Aurobindo Society on February 17, 2017, on the auspicious day of foundation of the Branch. Click here for the full report