Food
Ecology
Food
aharam
Craft
Ecology
Food
kala
Ecology
Ecology
Ecology
bhumi
CURATED INTERVENTIONS FOR REGENERATION
Living off grid and working in rural India has been the catalyst for Arugu bringing to the table over 15 years of embodied experience in design, strategy, development and sustainability. Our approach is rooted in interdisciplinary ideation and practice. We believe that sharing our knowledge can go a long way to support alignment towards regenerative practices.
Creative direction
product, textile & biophilic design
Regeneration
Organic farming, agro-biodiversity & conservation
Enterprise development
Social, rural & circular economies
Strategy
Systems design & behavior change
DIALOGUES TO INSPIRE CHANGE
Arugu is an agency rooted in the philosophy of the commons. We design, strategize and implement regenerative practices with a focus on food and craft while planting ecology firmly at the core of our actions.
In traditional Andhra architecture an arugu is a common seating place, hierarchy free in design structure, multifunctional in nature and with a tree at its center. An arugu protects the tree and nurtures it, and in turn the tree’s shade creates the ideal space for dialogue.
team
Manisha Kairaly, Founder & Director
Manisha’s research interest is studying the innumerable ecological interconnections that keep rural craft and food cultures interlinked. She has over fifteen years of experience in non-profit management and social entrepreneurship. Her expertise lies in the spheres of agro biodiversity, resilient circular economies and regenerative design (product, textile , biophilic and eco restoration).
She has worked as Director – Enterprise Development and Design with The Timbaktu Collective (www.timbaktu.org ). She was instrumental in establishing Timbaktu Weaves - a rural woman owned producer enterprise of first generation handloom weavers as well as the brand Timbaktu Organic -farmer cooperative which works with over 2,000 small holder farmers members in Southern India.
Manisha served as Regional Director- South India for Slow Food International (www.slowfood.com). She is Founder Trustee of the conservation organization Adavi Trust (www.adavi.org ), and an executive member of the Young Organic Global Network (www.yoglobalnetwork.com)
Contact arugu
ask.arugu@gmail.com
