Al Lila – Artist Research Studio, we engage with the vulnerable dimensions of this relationship, exploring how creativity and consciousness can guide us to rediscover, deepen, and sustain our connection with nature in meaningful ways.
Lila. Artist Research Studio
The bond we hold with the natural world—our capacity to connect, immerse, and coexist with it—holds profound potential for personal and ecological renewal. Yet, as this connection weakens, the need to restore it grows more urgent.
The Artist Research Studio embodies a transformative space-time frame where consciousness is altered through deep self-reflection and creative inquiry. This approach, rooted in ecosophy and a synthesis of Indian and alternative knowledge systems, bridges human and non-human realms, fostering an experiential, mindful engagement with the natural world. The studio is a unique site where ancient wisdom and contemporary practices converge, inviting artists, scholars, and students to re-envision ecological awareness and resilience. Here, the artist studio becomes a dynamic environment—an incisive, playful space that moves seamlessly between indoors and outdoors, using art to navigate the profound complexities of cultural and ecological landscapes. Through ṛta, a concept of ecological harmony and creative limit, Lila invites infinite imagination, blending research with aesthetic exploration to create new pathways toward a deeper ecological consciousness.
CURRENT PROJECT LEAD:
Niret Alva
CURRENT PROJECT STAFF:
Yash Bhandari
CURRENT PROJECT FACULTY:
Meena Vari, Anil Kumar and Mamta Sagar
RESEARCH AREAS: At Līla – Artist Research Studio, we investigate ecological consciousness through creative, practice research, bridging traditional crafts, contemporary art, and environmental ethics. Our key research areas focus on:
• Reimagining Ecological Consciousness through Artistic Practice
• Redefining the Relationship between Human and Nature
• Revitalizing Cultural Narratives and Knowledge Traditions
VISION: At Līla – Artist Research Studio, we hold that conserving human consciousness drives ecological harmony. Our goal is to create a dynamic space where creativity, ecological awareness, and aesthetic exploration converge, fostering deeper connections with nature. Through innovative practices, immersive experiences and pioneering scholarship, we inspire transformative engagement that shapes the ecological futures of our world.
WHAT WE DO:
• Inquiry & Research: Explore texts, engage communities, study landscapes.
• Creative Practice & Experimentation: Emerging Practices and collaborations
• Dialogue & Public Engagement: Workshops, forums, community outreach.
• Reflection & Integration: Reflect, document, integrate narratives.
• Sharing & Dissemination: Exhibitions, publications, participatory projects.
• Creative Visioning: Ecological Imagination, future narratives, relationship-centric world-making
Ongoing Research Projects
Rooted in the Flow:
This project explores how nature and culture intertwine through creative practices. By revisiting ancient texts, indigenous art, and craft traditions, we seek to reawaken a deep connection with nature, reimagining creative practices rooted in ecological consciousness and cultural memory.
Becoming River. Wing. Tail. Tree:
This inquiry redefines nature and humanity, questioning traditional boundaries and exploring how art evolves when definitions of the human self expand.
Both projects invite students to link creativity with ecological consciousness, aesthetics, and ethics.
Key Areas proposed for Doctoral Study under the MAHE PhD Program
Refer Link to PhD application for further details
• Consciousness, Environment, and Wellbeing: Exploring Transdisciplinary Approaches through Art and Design Research
• Consciousness, Creativity and Plurality: Reimagining traditional Indian aesthetic principles for contemporary art and design education/ practice
FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES •
FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES • FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES •
Opportunities for collaboration
This artist research studio invites students and faculty to work on the ongoing projects in artistic research on ecological consciousness. We are also open to collaborations and partnerships with organisations and individuals looking to explore this space together with us.
The studio is open to diverse art practices – graphic, visual, plastic, new media, literary, and performing. We also encourage a strong practice-led space where new futures of eco-creative practices can be debated, collaborated on, created and curated. As a space of scholarly pursuit, this artist studio will also focus on travel, journaling, reading, writing and publishing.
Our journey to impact
As a young lab, we aim to create lasting impact through personal transformation, ecological renewal, and cultural interconnectedness.
• Foster personal & collective growth through creative practices
• Promote ecological action through art and design
• Revitalize and preserve plurality of knowledge traditions and practices
• Build a Community of Change-Makers and environmentally conscious leaders
• Connect global & local initiatives
• Advance artistic innovation
Why we do?
The Lila-Artist Research Studio is driven by the belief in the power of collective action through personal transformation. Rooted in art, nature, and culture, we seek to inspire change by reclaiming our relationship with the natural world and cultural heritage. We ground ourselves in both ancient wisdom and contemporary knowledge to nurture a deep sense of belonging. Lila creates a space for imagination and hope, challenging indifference through creative actions that lead to tangible change. By developing new pedagogies and actionable frameworks, we turn learning into ecological engagement. Through memory, identity, and collective storytelling, we reconnect with lost traditions, building resilient, hopeful futures.
01 STUDENT WORK & CAPSTONE PROJECTS
PG CAPSTONE
- Ojasvi Harish, Cultivating Wonder and Curiosity in Nature through Artistic I M.Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023
- Preethi Rukmani Aiyer P, Nature’s Path: An Artist’s Journey to Overcoming Grief. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023
- Yuganshika Garg, Shifting Boundaries with Nature through Artistic Practice.
- Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 Sakshita Patwa, Portkey to Soil, Skies and Self: Diverse Journeys in Nature. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023
- Shubham Shrivastava, Challenging Existing Pedagogy in Construction Practices: Sculpting consciousness towards developing an interrelationship-centric framework for Civil Engineering undergraduate programs through artistic practices and Indian Knowledge system. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023
- Kaveri Girish, Women in Ecological Action Socio-politics and Art in the Pursuit of a Gentler Response to the Planet. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023
- Gayatri Bhagavatheswaran Iyer, The River and the Boatman: Ebb and Flow of Balance.
- Krishna V. Sheth, In search of Laya: Journey in Nature – Poems and Pictures. A. Visual Communication, 2024
- Ria Shailendra, Breathing Consciousness: Wind as an elemental catalyst to expanding Consciousness. A. Visual Communication, 2024
DOCTORAL WORK
Current doctoral scholars in our lab are developing research on neurodivergence and nature connections through art, sound and spatiality, Indian landscape design, and memory in creative practice, with further updates to follow.
CONFERENCES
1. Shubham Srivastava, (2023) “A Broad Framework to bring Sustainability and Ecological Consciousness in Civil Engineering through Environmental Ethics and Social Ethics.” Transforming Consumption-Production Systems Toward Just and Sustainable Futures – a joint 5th SCORAI, 21st ERSCP, and Wageningen University Conference. July 5-8, 2023
2. Shivangi Agrawal, (2022) “Self-Reflective Practices as a way of questioning Western Epistemologies and building one’s own practice.” 2nd International Conference on Sustainable Resilient Built Environments (SRBE) 2022, organized by Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, MAHE Manipal India in collaboration with Deakin University School of Architecture and Built Environment (Geelong, Australia), Kulliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, University of Moratuwa and Auckland University Technology from 19th-21st December, 2022 (Virtual mode).
Select books, papers, chapter publications and children’s books by Srivi Kalyan
DOCTORAL WORK:
“The Porous self: Crafting an intrinsic ecological consciousness through text, image and movement”, 2021, University of Trans-Disiciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Shodhganga link
RECENT PAPERS:
- Sandhiya Kalyanasundaram, Srisrividhiya Kalyanasundaram. Chasing Manodharma- In conversation with Kamalini Dutt, Screendance Journal, 2024.
- Srisrividhiya Kalyanasundaram & Sandhiya Kalyanasundaram. Elemental Play (Līla): Atmospherics of Perception through consciousness, emotions, senses and the body, Polylog issue 51 2024 https://www.polylog.net/fileadmin/polylog/Calls/polylog_51_Call.pdf (Indexed in EBSCO – https://www.polylog.net/start/ ISSN: 1560-6325)
- Kalyanasundaram, Sandhiya1 & Srisrividhiya Kalyanasundaram1 (2023). ‘Constructing an Aesthetic selfhood – interiority, community and cultural identity in the aging self’. Scholar & Feminist Online (S&F Online), Barnard Centre for Research on Women, USA, Issue 19.1, Summer 2023. https://sfonline.barnard.edu/constructing-an-aesthetic-selfhood-interiority-community-and-cultural-identity-in-the-aging-self/ (Indexed in DOAJ- Directory of Open Access Journals) ISSN 1558-9404
- Poetry Publication from my collection “Iyalbu- On being” Dec 2022. The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy (December 2022) Canada
- Kalyanasundaram, Srisrividhiya. 2020. “Bird and Line: Tracing Indian aesthetics to find an ‘Ecosophy’ of personal art practice”. The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy (December 2020) Canada. http://trumpeter.athabascau.ca/index.php/trumpet/article/view/1574
- Kalyanasundaram, Srisrividhiya. 2020. ‘A Porous Consciousness in and as Artistic Practice: Re-engaging with classical Indian philosophy and aesthetics as a living tradition‘, Journal for Artistic Research,2020 https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/614184/614185/10/10 . https://doi.org/10.22501/jar.614184
- Kalyanasundaram, Srisrividhiya and Sandhiya Kalyanasundaram. 2020. ‘Embodied Landscape Language: Tamil Poetry and Aesthetics’. Indian Literature Journal (September 2020), New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27267052
01 STUDENT WORK & CAPSTONE PROJECTS
PG CAPSTONE
1. Ojasvi Harish, Cultivating Wonder and Curiosity in Nature through Artistic I M.Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 2. Preethi Rukmani Aiyer P, Nature’s Path: An Artist’s Journey to Overcoming Grief. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 3. Yuganshika Garg, Shifting Boundaries with Nature through Artistic Practice. 4. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 Sakshita Patwa, Portkey to Soil, Skies and Self: Diverse Journeys in Nature. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 5. Shubham Shrivastava, Challenging Existing Pedagogy in Construction Practices: Sculpting consciousness towards developing an interrelationship-centric framework for Civil Engineering undergraduate programs through artistic practices and Indian Knowledge system. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 6. Kaveri Girish, Women in Ecological Action Socio-politics and Art in the Pursuit of a Gentler Response to the Planet. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 7. Gayatri Bhagavatheswaran Iyer, The River and the Boatman: Ebb and Flow of Balance. 8. Krishna V. Sheth, In search of Laya: Journey in Nature – Poems and Pictures. A. Visual Communication, 2024 9. Ria Shailendra, Breathing Consciousness: Wind as an elemental catalyst to expanding Consciousness. A. Visual Communication, 2024
PG CAPSTONE
1. Ojasvi Harish, Cultivating Wonder and Curiosity in Nature through Artistic I M.Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 2. Preethi Rukmani Aiyer P, Nature’s Path: An Artist’s Journey to Overcoming Grief. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 3. Yuganshika Garg, Shifting Boundaries with Nature through Artistic Practice. 4. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 Sakshita Patwa, Portkey to Soil, Skies and Self: Diverse Journeys in Nature. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 5. Shubham Shrivastava, Challenging Existing Pedagogy in Construction Practices: Sculpting consciousness towards developing an interrelationship-centric framework for Civil Engineering undergraduate programs through artistic practices and Indian Knowledge system. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 6. Kaveri Girish, Women in Ecological Action Socio-politics and Art in the Pursuit of a Gentler Response to the Planet. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 7. Gayatri Bhagavatheswaran Iyer, The River and the Boatman: Ebb and Flow of Balance. 8. Krishna V. Sheth, In search of Laya: Journey in Nature – Poems and Pictures. A. Visual Communication, 2024 9. Ria Shailendra, Breathing Consciousness: Wind as an elemental catalyst to expanding Consciousness. A. Visual Communication, 2024
01 STUDENT WORK & CAPSTONE PROJECTS
PG CAPSTONE
1. Ojasvi Harish, Cultivating Wonder and Curiosity in Nature through Artistic I M.Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 2. Preethi Rukmani Aiyer P, Nature’s Path: An Artist’s Journey to Overcoming Grief. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 3. Yuganshika Garg, Shifting Boundaries with Nature through Artistic Practice. 4. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 Sakshita Patwa, Portkey to Soil, Skies and Self: Diverse Journeys in Nature. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 5. Shubham Shrivastava, Challenging Existing Pedagogy in Construction Practices: Sculpting consciousness towards developing an interrelationship-centric framework for Civil Engineering undergraduate programs through artistic practices and Indian Knowledge system. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 6. Kaveri Girish, Women in Ecological Action Socio-politics and Art in the Pursuit of a Gentler Response to the Planet. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 7. Gayatri Bhagavatheswaran Iyer, The River and the Boatman: Ebb and Flow of Balance. 8. Krishna V. Sheth, In search of Laya: Journey in Nature – Poems and Pictures. A. Visual Communication, 2024 9. Ria Shailendra, Breathing Consciousness: Wind as an elemental catalyst to expanding Consciousness. A. Visual Communication, 2024
PG CAPSTONE
1. Ojasvi Harish, Cultivating Wonder and Curiosity in Nature through Artistic I M.Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 2. Preethi Rukmani Aiyer P, Nature’s Path: An Artist’s Journey to Overcoming Grief. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 3. Yuganshika Garg, Shifting Boundaries with Nature through Artistic Practice. 4. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 Sakshita Patwa, Portkey to Soil, Skies and Self: Diverse Journeys in Nature. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023 5. Shubham Shrivastava, Challenging Existing Pedagogy in Construction Practices: Sculpting consciousness towards developing an interrelationship-centric framework for Civil Engineering undergraduate programs through artistic practices and Indian Knowledge system. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 6. Kaveri Girish, Women in Ecological Action Socio-politics and Art in the Pursuit of a Gentler Response to the Planet. Des Earth Education and Communication, 2023 7. Gayatri Bhagavatheswaran Iyer, The River and the Boatman: Ebb and Flow of Balance. 8. Krishna V. Sheth, In search of Laya: Journey in Nature – Poems and Pictures. A. Visual Communication, 2024 9. Ria Shailendra, Breathing Consciousness: Wind as an elemental catalyst to expanding Consciousness. A. Visual Communication, 2024