Environment Action Month 2025
Aram Thinai and DakshinaChitra collaboratively observed the month of June as Environment Action Month, creating a platform for eco-enthusiasts to explore the deep interconnections between environment and culture. The initiative brought together diverse voices through a series of exhibitions, interactive sessions, and workshops, encouraging participants to engage with environmental concerns not just from a scientific or policy perspective, but through the lens of lived experiences and traditional knowledge. The events aimed to inspire awareness, reflection, and sustainable action rooted in cultural context.
June 5, observed globally as World Environment Day, often emphasizes pressing concerns such as climate change, carbon emissions, and ecological degradation. While these global narratives are vital, the Indian context offers a unique perspective where nature is not a separate entity but is woven into daily life, traditions, and livelihoods. Environment Action Month served as a reminder of this intrinsic relationship, offering a meaningful opportunity for communities to reconnect with traditional practices and ecological wisdom that have long supported harmonious living with nature.
Calendar of Events:
No: | Event Date | Name of Event | Duration | Facilitator |
1 | 01/06/25 | Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams, An Art Exhibition - Inauguration | 1 month | - |
2 | 01/06/25 | Buried under Chennai’s Waste, An Photo Exhibition - Inauguration | 1 month | - |
3 | 08/06/25 | Coastal Ecology and Journaling Workshop | 3 hours | Aswathi Asokan, Nature Educator |
4 | 14/06/25 | Limewash Painting Workshop | 2 hours | Mugdha Chavan, Artist |
5 | 22/06/25 | Masterclass in Vernacular Architecture | 7 hours | Ar. Krithika Venkatesh & team |
Detailed Event Report:
Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams, An Art Exhibition Reimagining a Good City from Ennore Creek:
Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams is an evocative art exhibition that invites us to reimagine our own neighborhood—and the city at large—as part of a “Good City,” grounded in ecological balance, cultural continuity, and community resilience. Emerging from a research project centered on the people’s struggle to protect the Ennore Wetlands, the exhibition explores how collective memory, present-day challenges, and community visions for the future can shape a more just and sustainable urban environment. Through the symbolic lens of ghosts (past), monsters (present), and dreams (future), the exhibition urges us to rethink the kind of city we want to live in—one that honors its people, places, and natural ecosystems.
The artworks bring to life stories from Ennore that reflect not only its ecological and cultural uniqueness but also resonate with broader urban realities across Chennai. From traditional knowledge systems to ongoing environmental activism, the exhibits highlight how the fight to save Ennore is also a call to imagine better ways of living together—where neighborhood are designed not just for profit or convenience, but for care, connection, and coexistence. Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams thus becomes a starting point for envisioning a city where the
wellbeing of people and the planet are at the heart of planning and policy.
Buried under Chennai’s Waste, An Photo Exhibition:
Buried Under Chennai's Waste is a powerful photo exhibition that visually documents the everyday realities of life in and around the Kodungaiyur dump yard—one of Chennai’s largest waste sites. Through compelling images, the exhibition captures the lives of people who live and work in the shadow of the dump, highlighting their resilience amidst challenging conditions. It sheds light on the health risks, social stigma, and struggles they face, while also exploring the ecological impact of unmanaged waste on the surrounding land, air, and water. The exhibition serves as both a stark reminder of urban waste realities and a call to rethink our relationship with consumption, disposal, and environmental justice.
Coastal Ecology and Journaling Workshop:
Coastal Ecology and Journaling was an engaging and hands-on workshop that invited participants to explore the rich biodiversity of the coastline through observation, discussion, and Journaling. Starting with an exploration of coastal habitats, where participants learned to identify various marine and shoreline species—ranging from shells to crabs—while understanding their ecological roles and unique characteristics. Blending science with creativity, the workshop encouraged participants to record their findings through nature journaling, combining sketches, notes, and reflections. It served as a meaningful way to connect with coastal ecosystems, fostering both ecological awareness and a deeper personal relationship with the natural world.
Limewash Painting Workshop:
This workshop - organized alongside the exhibition - is designed to reintroduce the value of sustainable building and painting materials — particularly lime plasters, limewash, and organic clay paints — through creative engagement. The event includes a hands-on painting session that aims to give a glimpse of the beauty, versatility, and environmental significance of natural materials. Despite lime’s deep-rooted presence in architectural history, it is often regarded with distrust by contemporary users. Questions about its durability, usability, and aesthetic appeal have led to a decline in its everyday application. This event seeks to counteract this perception by offering informative and artistic experience with lime-based materials.
Masterclass in Vernacular Architecture:
The Masterclass on Sustainable Vernacular Architecture, brought together architects, artisans, and eco-conscious participants to explore traditional building techniques with a focus on sustainability. Through expert talks, hands-on sessions, and group activities, the workshop covered key topics such as local materials, the lime cycle, and the Chettinad lime plaster technique. Highlights included live demonstrations by skilled artisans, a walkthrough of a traditional lime-built courtyard home, and practical experience in lime mortar mixing and plastering. The day concluded with a reflective discussion on material revival, design responsibility, and actionable takeaways for sustainable architecture.
Participants feedback:
"The different types of shell knowledge have shown different perspectives to look at things at the beach. It was not the usual morning walk but an educational session… many facts were discussed about the ecosystem that had negative impacts which was an eye opener." - Nishanthi, Coastal Workshop participant
"Journaling exercise and various perspectives to visualize a species" - Venkat, Coastal Workshop participant
"Got some basic insights into vernacular architecture and appreciate the intent to spread awareness." - Vimal, Architecture Masterclass participant
"The Madam who taught the class. She brought so much enthusiasm to the lecture." - Mohammed, Architecture Masterclass participant
"Hands on activities and detailed explanation by practicing architects was helpful" - Madhan, Architecture Masterclass participant
"A live demonstration showcasing how lime wash works was good"- Shreya, Architecture Masterclass participant
Visions of a "Good City" as imagined by participants in the Ghosts, Monsters and Dreams exhibition
