On Thursday, 48 Aurovilians and visitors came together to Sve-Dame, wanting to experience the benefits of laughter yoga. Fif, a certified laughter yoga teacher from Canada has come to Auroville to spread the art of laughter yoga. Together with Hamish, her husband, and Dariya, an Aurovillian, she wants to make people explore this unusual type of yoga. She’s giving us an interview about the philosophy behind laughter yoga, its history and benefits. What is laughter yoga good for? How do the participants feel about the session? Read more

About 2 years ago magazine with art inclinations evolved from Integral Sustainability Platform, whose aim was to set up a communication pattern between units to form a decision making process. The last seven issues published have brought forward the creative aspect of art, a vision, and a focus. Part of ISP culture was also to expand art in Auroville, and as such evolved into this magazine where everything fell in place. Purpose of MAgzAV is also to main stream art with expressing artist in order to become a central part of the culture Read more

Talking about Anu's book 'The God Enchanter' so recently published, as well as other recited excerpts, the question came up while at Bharat Nivas on humanity, hardly to be avoided. According to Sri Aurobindo, transition takes place when every man recognizes his sacred state. Tolerance for one another, deeper recognition of the other as equally sacred should take place in little shifts in our attitude individually. In search for human unity we still tend to look for an external mechanism, where growth in consciousness to take place. Read more

At the end of the Auroville International Meeting 2012 we heard what AVI Centres actually do, how many active members they have, what is their focus and their aspirations. AVI Germany, USA, UK.... are one of the largest ones, with several activities and also considerable donation to Auroville for different purposes and projects. Today the number of AVI Centres is growing, adding to the family of centres supporting Aurovillie ideals and work all over the world. Soon we will have liaison of Turkey, Haiti, Hungary, Ethiopia.... joining us. Read more

Auroville International meeting 2012 in Auroville concluded by general assembly in which they summarized all the presentations they've heard over the intensive three days. In those days numerous working groups, work units, different projects, presentations and films were offered to them to look up, and maybe help on different ways, from moral support to financial donation. Some of the interactions were merely updates from the previous years, what might changed, what still need to be done. Read more

Dr. Rekha Tandon, an Indian Classical dancer, presented an often forgotten similarity between yoga and dance, especially classical Indian, where both are exploratory forms in which we work through matter to find the spirit. As in yoga, the Indian classical dance poses are much about balancing the body, the spinal chord, and so the chakras. And as in the yogic chakra system, by practicing the Indian classical dance forms, a person can truly begin to experience the transition from matter to spirit.

As part of the "Matter Precipitates" program by Sri Aurobindo Centre for Studies, India and the World, we had a chance to experience a small preview of Anu's recently published book "God Enchanter : Beings in Transition" at Sri Aurobindo Auditorium, Bharat Nivas, Pavilion of Indian Culture in International Zone. This is a story that begins during the war in Iraq and is spoken by different people around the world as their lives transform when they come in touch with the God Enchanter. Read more

Amongst many presentations on the agenda of Auroville International Meeting in Auroville 2012 was also International Zone. Core of coordinating group of International Zone are B, Linda Grace, Jyoti, Rakhal and Vani. Pavilion groups shortly presented activities and the course of action they're taking. With the inauguration of Multipurpose Hall at Unity Pavilion on 29th of February some new liasons of AVI will be created but most of the groups are still in the area of cultural and educational exchanges, events, performances... Read more

Living Routes is a university accredited study abroad program in sustainability studies. By offering students the opportunity to actively live and study in communities across the globe that are striving to live more ethical, just and sustainable lifestyles, Living Routes provides students with ideal campuses to learn and experience personal and community-based solutions to real world issues. After more than 12 years in Auroville, Living Routes Auroville - Integral Sustainability continues to be a strong presence within the Auroville community. Read more

Just before his departure Marc Vella honored us with his last concert in Auroville, and first concert at CRIPA Hall in Kalabhumi. How strongly Aurovilians grown to fond of him was very much obvious not only by the numbers but also by respectful and loving attitude of the audience. Marc who shares his music and love with gentleness and utmost respect invited for that afternoon some of the performing and other artist to join him on the stage. Before leaving he assured us that his Love Caravan will start next year in Auroville. Read more

On Thursday 9th of February at 7.30 at Pitanga in Samasti we will have a chance to listen again to Jacky Mouvillat playing Chapman Stick, a 12 string electric guitar. This time he will be accompanied by Anaka (singing), Manosh Bardhan on tablas and by Matthew Littlewood on soprano saxophone. Jacky inspired trough his traveling all over the world in 2001 devoted himself to playing his own compositions on the Chapman Stick after meeting Ernett Chapman, the inventor of this unique instrument. He likes to share ideas with the fellow musicians. Read more

Night was late already due to the technical problems earlier in the afternoon when Yemadas came on the stage. Yemadas - nomads with positive attitude as they explained way back always come with some new members, and some new worldly instruments. This toss their songs were softened by space drum, violin and flute, and in some songs we had a chance to hear didgereedoo as well. Fusion of indio-afro-brasilian rhythms all so close to earth breathing swung as to a dance. For excellent sound we can thank Joel with his team ... Read more

With the opening concert by the Auroville Choir, CRIPA - The Center for Research in the Performing Arts, opened its doors. Afsanah shortly introduced the purpose of CRIPA, which is near its completion, with the songs of the Auroville Choir led by Nuria. Sound design of CRIPA was led by Didier, and the sounds of the Auroville Choir quickly proved the quality of Didier's design. Although the Performance Hall in CRIPA is a large space, its capacity couldn't accommodate the great amount of people who wanted to listen to the opening concert. Read more

Sports ground at Certitude, the field next to and Udavi sports ground were very lively past weekend with Hat Tournament , which is ultimate frisbee tournament a different way with mixed team, as Mark explained it to us. Twelve teams consisted of seven players played for four games (long 1h15m) in the morning and two games in the afternoon on all three fields. Ultimate frisbee is more self sponsored sport with clear spirit of sportmanship; ultimate is different, one has to keep it cool, know the rules, has to call it fair and work in a team. Read more

With the bustling background of Lively Up Your Earth festival at Solitude Farm Marc Vella shared with us some thoughts, and reasons that he spend so much time on the road with his piano. As he says, "problems are everywhere, and it is much easier to start the war than to say to somebody that you love them.." His experiences proved to him that everybody needs LOVE, simple, tender and understanding, and he does share love without expectations but with his utmost respect. Marc Vella's next Love Caravan is planned for India. Read more

Classical guitar and violin recital by visiting artist Martin Pirktl on classical guitar and Ladislav on violin at Pitanga on Friday was again a special treat for music lovers. Martin started with five lute pieces from the Italian renaissance. Soft tones of renaissance were followed by energetic, and folkloric coloured piece of Atanas Ourkouzounov, contemporary Bulgarian composer. After we passed trough history with music by stops at certain ages with interesting pieces of Isaac Albeniz, Enrique Granado and Astor Piazzola. Read more

To celebrate life and overcoming cyclone was the keynote of Lively Up Your Earth eco music Festival in Solitude Farm on Saturday 28th of January. With Cyclone Blue we went down the memory lane into early 70ies, by evergreen rock songs well played and sung by amazing olny 13 years old Danny, who joined his father Amando and Matt. And it is something in known that made us at ease, so Cyclone Blue hit the dancing strings in audience and enthusiastic share of encouragement. To Joel and his team we are grateful for excellent sound. Read more

Hosting Lively Up Your Earth eco - music festival for the second time in Solitude Farm with numerous stalls of products ecologicaly oriented, gadgets for children, food and lots of music brought community and more together almost a month after the natural catastrophe of Thane. Emergence as the hosting band came up on stage the last, and late. Solids songs of world music and poetic rock, reflecting the uniqueness of city life in Auroville and life of members of the band kept the audience on their toes. Thanks for excellent sound to Joel and team Read more

There's no doubt that Marc Vella captured hearts of Aurovilians with his loving attitude toward music as toward audience, nature... Films we saw before his arrival, his personal presence in the town, brought again crowd to the Lively Up Your Earth eco music festival at Solitude Farm on last Saturday 28th of January. We can thank to private donors which contributed needed money to hire a piano from Chennai and with that made it possible for all of us to hear to Marc Vella amongst the palm trees of Solitude Farm. Read more

Sun was hot, children happily running around when music started with Oldtimer - Larry and Paul. Paul was also informing us on the progress of the musical part of the festival in his humorous way. Oldtimers haven't spent much time on the stage and Johan ZilverZurf followed them with his bass. Some interesting combinations of chill out and ambient we heard with him, setting the peaceful tone of festival at this hot hour of the day. Read more

Suryan surprised us with his new Dharma Trio - beside Suryan on guitar and voice Johan on bass and Laurent on drums which added new dimensions to his songs. His songs still hypnotic and thought provoking, but now dance worthy getting us up on our feet. A true poet speaks to everyone at once but also speaks each individual at the same time; and if it's accompanied with such an amazing and captivating voice Suryan is blessed , touching us all on many levels. Read more

When Mishko M'Ba greeted the audience with announcement of repertoir which would pay the tribute to Jaco Pastorious, famous bass player, brought many smiles on the faces. The whole gig was special treat for music lovers. Excellent musicians Mishko M'Ba on Bass, Matt Littlewood on saxophone, Suresh Bascara on drums and Karan Joseph on keyboards played known songs of Jaco Pastorious, Pat Metheny, Miles Davis and Joe Zawinul with technical perfection and with all their love for the music. Read more

Aurodhan Gallery at Pondicherry will present on Friday 3th of February an interesting "Pondicherry" exhibition of selection of fine art photographic images exclusively selected from the book launched at the same time. Sebastian shared with us some insights on the process of making the book, which is collaboration of photographic artistic view of life heritage of Pondicherry with written word of Pascal Bruckner, Akash Kapur and Amin Jaffer, all experts on their fields of exploration. "Pondicherry" is published in French and English. Read more

Within the series of events organized by Bulgarian Pavilion Group we had a chance to listen to an violin and piano recital at Pitanga on Sunday 29th of January. They offered to Auroville devotional songs by Beinsa Duno, a Bulgarian spiritual master who wrote;"Music is the first visible indication fo love. The aim of music is to uplift hte human soul. Within music the great laws of the cosmic creation and the creative Spirit of the existence are hidden." Beside his songs numerous audience was excited over other classical pieces . Read more

..."But the hour is often terrible, of fire and whirlwind and the tempest, a threading of the winepress of the feed of God..." says Sri Aurobindo on the Hour of God which Loretta quote in our interview or reflections on recent cyclone Thane raging over Auroville and nearby villages. And as she says that when something happens that hurts you, and it hurts you much, you stop and ask, although the Hour of God is not physical thing but it does crush down something inside of us. The bottom line is LOVE, which made and manifest the Universe. Read more

Three exceptional musicians come together in Auroville to celebrate their shared cultures and music making. Anwar is one of the greatest living oud players from Iraq. The oud, a middle eastern lute is one of the most beautiful instruments , and Anwar sings in classical Arabic . Heather Lee has the finest high soprano voice in Australia and has sung all around the world . Dr Kim Cunio is a leading performer and researcher of sacred music who has set many of the vanishing spiritual texts of the world to music to international acclaim. Read more

Hall with piano at Pitanga was yesterday too small for all those who wanted to listen to Marc Vella's concert , which was organized by The French Pavilion and CIRHU. Marc as an excellent pianist, composer, writer and a poet , knonw also by his nomadic traveling with his piano on missions called Cravana of Love shared with us... lots of Love... melodies interwoven with unusual exploration of the instrument, extending experiences we got on piano to play stories, lullaby, natural sounds, pieces of historical memories of distant places. LOVE Read more

Within a short visit of Engineers Without Borders from Australia Elvira introduced to them governance and working groups as a part of evolving process which should lead us to the Divine Anarchy, as The Mother named it. Elvira shortly presented history, and how the number of residents invoked the need for more formal governance in the form of a delegate system in order to interact with outer world and Indian Government. Changing process of governance is a slow one because in basically a process of changing ourselves.

To visiting Engineer Without Border Toine shortly explained what Auroville is, how it was originated and what it stands for, and drawing comparison said, that Auroville could be described also as a township without borders because of the connections and openness to the world. To Auroville are mostly drawn people with strong inner need for a change, dissatisfied with the world as it is today. Sri Aurobindo's idea of human as transitional being, in search for inner being , and the Mothers Charter are base of what experiment of Auroville might be

Natural catastrophe of cyclone(hurricane) Thane brought to town some new dimensions we even new that they do exists. On one way each of us was going trough intimate isolating issues manifested in physical cleaning around the house, but hurricane happened to all of us, no matter Aurovilians, guests, volunteers; brought the unifying moment with it. Jesse wanted to for the first time explore improvisational theatre on the given theme - hurricane. In interesting interview he share with us the concept of it, and what have happened on the stage. Read more