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. At Līla – 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. 

 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.

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. 

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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

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 

Vastness of the heart: Experiential encounters at K.Gudi, BR Hills, 2024, Photo – Harini M.S
Exploring Senses, Elements and Emotions at Hemkunta Hill, Hampi, 2024
Trekking at Galibore

Ongoing Research Projects

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 

  1. 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

How we do? 

Lila-Artist Research Studio fulfills its vision through a combination of practical, action-oriented initiatives that connect the creative process with real-world applications. We work towards 

  1. Creating a Space for Artistic Exploration and Reflection
  2. Fostering Trans-Disciplinary Dialogues
  3. Designing Dynamic Learning Frameworks
  4. Revitalizing Ecological Imagination
  5. Cultivating a Sense of Belonging and Connection

River… Nature journaling at Jakkur lake,  Bangalore, 2022 

 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. 

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 

Work from the Lab

Student Work 

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. Des. Information Arts and Information Design Practices, 2023
  4. 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

 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:  

  1. Sandhiya Kalyanasundaram, Srisrividhiya Kalyanasundaram. Chasing Manodharma- In conversation with Kamalini Dutt, Screendance Journal, 2024.  
  2. 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) 
  3. 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 
  4. Poetry Publication from my collection “Iyalbu- On being” Dec 2022. The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy (December 2022) Canada 
  5. 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 
  6. 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 
  7. 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 

Dr. Srivi Kalyan’s work 

Outreach, Conferences and Recent Events 

  • Connecting with loss: Tracing ecological consciousness within, Master Class at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, August 2024
  • Workshop -Illustrating for Children, Expressing Adivasi and Dalit Lives, Katha, August 2024
  • Workshop – Immersive Connections: Designing Place-Based Experiences, Talk and design workshop IFS participants at Jungle Lodges & Resorts, Kabini, February 2024, September 2024
  • Panel Discussion – Imagining an Alternative World: Curiosity, Compassion and the Planet, Hyderabad Literature Festival, January 2024
  • Poetry Reading – Kaavya Dhaara – (Indigenous and Endangered Languages). In our own tongues (Multilingual readings – Poetry), Hyderabad Literature Festival, January 2024
  • Panel Discussion – Climate Education for a Changing Planet, Hyderabad Literature Festival, January 2024
  • Workshop: The Porous Self, Hyderabad Literature Festival, January 2024
  • Speaker, Stage Talk: Prana: Art, Nature, and the Suffused Worlds, Hyderabad Literature Festival, January 2024
  • Panel Discussion, Brews and Brainstorms: Educating for Climate Change, Kupu climate Change Festival, Bangalore, Youth Conservation Action Network, Trust for Environmental Education, June 2023
  • Between ‘Cosmic Order, Truth and Ethical Action’: Pedagogical inquiries as a philosophical quest into self, social and ecological consciousness.  Transforming Consumption-Production Systems Toward Just and Sustainable Futures, a joint 5th SCORAI, 21st ERSCP, and Wageningen University Conference.   https://www.scp-conference-2023.com/web
  • Self in a zillion ecotransitons – Experiencing, Documenting, Reflecting, Togetherness , Interactive workshop and talk, Global Festival and International Conference, Climate Coaching Alliance, March 2023
  • Reflective healing through Art and Design, Humanising medical practices indigenous, interdependent and cross-cultural insights, Online International Symposium, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Consciousness Studies Program, Bangalore, 29 July 2022

Watch 

The Porous Self: Is there really a dividing line between human and nature?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4X2hJUrpUc

Chapter Publication:  

  1. Kalyanasundaram, Srisrividhiya. 2019. “Creativity as Intrinsic Ecological Consciousness.” In Art, Ecojustice, and Education: Intersecting Theories and Practices, edited by Raisa Foster, Jussi P. Mäkelä, and Rebecca A. Martusewicz, 152-165. New York: Routledge. 

Books & Illustrated works:  

  1. Coming home to earth: Space, Line, Form, Co-authored with A.V. Ilango, Fooniferse Arts, Chennai, 2015. Funded by Sublime Galleria 
  2. The Politics of Creative Justice: Conversations on Creative Processes, 2021 
  3. Children’s Books: Run Ranga Run, Katha Books and Jungu – The Baiga Princess, Zubaan Books 

 Personal Website: http://www.sriviliveshere.com/ 

 

An interactive session by Srivi Kalyan for the Climate Coaching Alliance 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4X2hJUrpUc 

 Wandering in Elephant Being, March 2021 

A talk by Srivi Kalyan for Friends of Elephants and WTI, followed by an interactive conversation between Bindhumalini, Indian singer, composer and graphic designer and Ramnath Chandrashekar, conservation educator, filmmaker and photographer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqDlyGpKwj4 

Gallery

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