Stories That Grow
About | Project
INTRODUCTION
In a conversation about kathal (jackfruit) and the curry made from it, a friend had shared how her grandmother—the only one in the house who knew how to identify the perfect stage of ripening for the fruit on the tree that had been in their garden for years—could tell when it was just right for the curry. She had wondered how this knowledge, carefully nurtured through generations, might be lost, as neither her parents’ generation nor hers, nor her cousins’, had learned to read these signs. Such conversations had made us ponder—gardens that were once rich with herbs, fruits, and spices, like those of our grandmothers, had become filled with ornamental plants. Cities had grown, and habitats had changed; there was not only a visual loss but also a disconnection at play. How had we become so disconnected from nature, plants, insects, and animals?
Over the last decade, conversations about nature, trees, animals, conservation, and the climate crisis had become more common. We had become more aware of these issues around us. An increasing number of people had grown curious and wanted to learn more. Yet, despite the abundance of information available, we often found ourselves asking—did it inspire us? Why had we continued to see nature as something separate from us? Why had we watched from a safe distance instead of being active participants in these conversations? Where had this distance and deep disconnect come from?
This project had been an invitation to slow down, observe, and reconnect with the natural world—starting with one’s own memories, surroundings, and communities. By revisiting personal experiences and reevaluating one’s relationship with nature, participants had begun to uncover the small, often overlooked connections that held deeper meaning.
The focus had not only been on the personal but also on shared collective stories: the stories of neighbors, community members, and practitioners who lived and worked closely with these spaces. How had they seen nature? What memories had they held? What could we have learned from their perspectives? Through these exchanges, many had found points of resonance—moments where their own stories aligned with those of others—and had used them as a foundation for creating narratives that inspired connection, hope, and the urge to be active participants in the conversation.
Narratives had shown their ability to spark hope, resilience, and belief in a brighter future, reminding us that even in adversity, transformation and renewal were possible. Powerful storytelling had enchanted imaginations for decades, serving as a testament to living life to the fullest. The prospect that there were many more such stories out there—to be found, told, and shared—had made it a fascinating area of research.
This had not been a project about solving every environmental challenge; it had been about finding the threads of connection that reminded us of our place in nature and with each other. The focus had been on creating an archive of such stories and making them visible and accessible. It had been an opportunity to work closely with communities, listen, and tell stories that celebrated the possibilities of renewal and resilience.
By creating thoughtful, engaging artifacts, students had shared these stories, inviting others to reflect on their own connections with nature and inspiring a sense of care and optimism for the world we all share.
Stories that grow came to life through all the stories shared and transcribed and documented in the evergrowing Atlas of Living Hope.
Read Here
COLLABORATION
Stories that Grow is part of the ongoing real-time project Atlas of Living Hope. The deliverables created through this project will contribute directly to conservation outreach. This project is in collaboration with Canopy Collective and acknowledges the contribution of Neyi Jamoh, Nayantara Siruguri, Farai Patel & Salil Subedi who first helped develop the Atlas of Living Hope stories. These partners bridge art, science, and community, fostering innovative initiatives at the intersection of these fields.
Nandini Velho (Project Lead, Canopy Collective)
Svabhu Kohli (Independent Visual Storyteller)
© 2025 Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology and the individual artist-designers of the works. All rights reserved.