The promoter is the rather unconventional looking Ashvin Aishwariya, 45, clad in torn red jeans, with an unruly mop of shoulder length hair. Considering Aishwariya’s carefully created dishevelled appearance, it’s hard to imagine that he was in the very unglamorous business of sending labour

to the Middle East before he decided to chuck it all up, and start this non-profit organisation to encourage people to enhance their inner creativity.

“The Village’s concept is to attract people interested in satyam (following truth), shivam (doing good) and sundaram (seeking beauty),” explains Aishwariya, who evades all questions on how much investment he’s put in, and what the returns are. “This is an non-profit orgainsation. I’ll be very happy if it just pays for itself. If I start calculating how much money I’ve spent, I won’t be able to sleep at night,” he smiles.

The Global Arts Village has 11 imaginatively constructed, eco-friendly rooms for artists and guests to stay in, at a nominal cost. Built at split-levels, the porch doubles up as a workspace and all the rooms overlook the Zen garden, which remains the Village’s USP. Modelled on the Osho Commune in Pune, the garden is cleverly divided by large bamboo plants, to provide complete privacy between spaces, and there are several interesting nooks and crannies throughout the farm. Three meals a day, all vegetarian, cost Rs 390. Artists from different disciplines from all over the world are selected through a careful screening process, and depending on their experience, are invited to work here. They are provided materials like clay, wood, a welding machine, and pliers and hammers, free of cost. Yoga and meditation classes are held every morning and so are classes on alternate therapies. During some seasons, at dusk, the frogs in the pond let out an almost deafening, but comforting croak.

“I started meditation 20 years ago in Pune,” says Aishwariya, and adds, “I think nature is inspiring for the creative process.”