Turmeric, an irreplicable culinary spice in every Indian kitchen, has history dating back to Vedic culture. Today it continues to be an integral part of my culture for its medicinal powers and auspicious value. Turmeric represents purity and has a spiritual connection with earth, it being a rhizome. The color deep yellow is associated with Sun and abundance, and the sacral chakra. This means it takes power from the core of your body. It assists to illuminate you from the inside out–owning who you are with a strong sense of self.

When at the verge of emotional breakdown, and incapable of sharing grief openly, I moved to art-making, material and its processes for comfort. Since childhood, turmeric has healed my body and when I used this golden yellow spice for a dye with slow and sustainable processes of hand dyeing, printing, painting and hand stitching, has helped initiate the core healing.

And while sharing my experience of working with slow yellow textiles with other people, we indulged in some deep conversations. We felt connected. Thus, I am now inclined to make these into a Work-In-Progress by bringing it into the community, a collaboration with people who choose to participate. I am offering a small box of material with turmeric, turmeric dyed fabric swatch and some dyed yarn to further add hand-stitches, paint, patch, marks, with me or over time. Later, if it has served its purpose, you may also pass on this preloved piece. It can be as simple as making intuitive stitches or you may turn them into small meditative scrolls. Together we follow a minimalistic approach, and process that heal each-other, communities and landscapes we live through.

I feel content when working with natural material and slowness of processes. I hope this small box will do the same for you. If possible, share your experience with me. It is these experiences that will keep us connected. Being a part of a community gives us a sense of belonging, their support becomes our strength. I have always been fortunate to be part of some strong communities and thus continue to strive to bring together like-minded people with firm belief of extending sustainability principles to all aspects of one’s life needed to achieve holistic well-being of the planet.