About Us
Operating in 180 countries, The Art of Living is a non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization founded in 1981 by the world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The Social Projects wing under the aegis of The Art of Living is headquartered in Bengaluru which strives to resolve India's looming water crisis & eradicating water poverty, and always had a focus on improving the livelihoods of rural farmers – to ensure their economic, physical and mental wellbeing which this starts with enough groundwater – which is the basis for rural communities to thrive.
Our partnership with the Government of India, various State Governments, along with the persistent support from corporates, individual donors, and well-wishers has helped us to grow in a developing and sustainable world.
India has been water-stressed, and the worrisome task is to eradicate its knock-on effect on the local communities. The problem of water scarcity specially for the agriculture purposes in the country is due to poor management of available resources. Deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change have also been the major factors among others responsible for the current water crisis.
The Art of Living – Social Projects, under the guidance of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is undertaking measures to solve the current water crisis in India. The project focuses on and ensuring farmers and villagers can scale their income with maximized crop productivity.
All the water conservation initiatives have focused exclusively on the multiplicity of consolidating water resources to make them available in the most-needed areas. Restoration of water sources and implementation of conservation methods have been the prime focus of significant projects. The impact can be seen on the inclusive development of farmers in the regions of execution of projects.
Our Vision
We are creating a more sustainable world through the implementation of task of projects not only to conserve soil, water and vegetation but also to promote their efficient use and environmental awareness so as to ensure sustainable development, deploying the network of people, businesses and communities."
Awards / Accolades
- "Padam Vibhushan", Highest Annual Civilian Award, India
- Highest Civilian Award, Orden De La Democracia Simon Bolivar, Bogota, Colombia
- Global Humanitarian Award - American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, USA
- Bharat Kirtimaan Alankaran 2022, World Book of Records
- Saint of Modern India - Suryadatta National Lifetime Achievement Award 2022
- Order of the Pole Star, the Highest Civilian Awards
- Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (Ridder), Highest Civilian Award, Suriname Highest Civilian Award from the Goverments of Mongolia, Paraguay, Colombia and Suriname
- Honored by the City of Tampa, Florida, USA by declaring June 18, 2015 as "A Day of Happiness"
- Humanitarian Award from the Municipality of Lima, Peru 25 Honorary Doctorates by Universities Across the World
- 27 Cities have been declared as Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Days in the US & Canada
The beginning
Born in 1956 in Southern India, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was a gifted child. By the age of four, he was able to recite parts of the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Sanskrit scripture and was often found in deep meditation. Gurudev’s first teacher, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, had a long association with Mahatma Gandhi. By the age of seventeen in 1973, Gurudev had graduated with degrees in, both, Vedic literature, and physics.
Founding The Art of Living and the International Association of Human Values
Gurudev founded The Art of Living as an international, non-profit, educational and humanitarian organization. Its educational and self-development programs offer powerful tools and accounts to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. Appealing not only to a specific population, these practices have proven effective globally and at all levels of society. The Art of Living programs are currently offered in 180 countries. In 1997, Gurudev co-founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a sister organization of The Art of Living. The IAHV coordinates sustainable development projects, nurtures human values and initiates conflict resolution.
Inspiring service and globalizing wisdom
A noted humanitarian leader, Gurudev’s programs have provided assistance to people from a wide range of backgrounds – victims of natural disasters, survivors of terror attacks and war, children from marginalized populations, and communities in conflict, among others. The strength of his message has inspired a wave of service based on spirituality through a huge body of volunteers, who are driving these projects forward in critical areas around the globe.
As a spiritual teacher, Gurudev has rekindled the traditions of yoga and meditation and offered them in a form that is relevant to the 21st century. Beyond reviving ancient wisdom, Gurudev has created new techniques for personal, and social transformation. These include the Sudarshan Kriya which has helped millions of people to find relief from stress and discover inner reservoirs of energy and inner silence in daily life.
Our Team
Prasana Prabhu
Chairman, Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, The Art of Living
From his successful career in the television industry, where he excelled in marketing airtime for popular shows, to his move into Bollywood, Prasana Prabhu was known for his dedication to achieving challenging goals. He also played a key role in bringing popular beauty pageants like Miss Universe and Miss World to Indian audiences.
However, Prasana Prabhu’s life took an unexpected turn. Amidst the allure of glamour and glitz, he happened to stumble into a spiritual world which he has joyfully embraced ever since. As an international educator and meditation mentor for more than twenty years, he has initiated various projects and has been the driving force behind several Art of Living trusts. He has demonstrated remarkable organizational skills while coordinating significant events for The Art of Living, such as the organization’s very first World Culture Festival in February 2006. Bangalore. Borders faded as millions came together from over 150 countries to experience and celebrate His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's message. For the first time in the history of Indian music, a gathering of more than 3,800 musicians from all over South India was brought together for the Silver Jubilee Celebrations. Prasana Prabhu was also at the forefront of the World Culture Festival in 2016, which drew 3.75 million attendees, 36,000 performers, 2,500 spiritual leaders, and representatives from 110 countries in New Delhi.
Today, Prasana Prabhu is the Chairman at Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, an integral part of The Art of Living movement. Here, he forges strong partnerships with leaders of government and corporate bodies and passionately drives various social initiatives like water conservation, afforestation, natural farming, women empowerment, and skill development. He is renowned for his expertise in engaging with rural youth, effectively motivating them to champion a wide range of social causes to enhance India's welfare.
Even though he has achieved numerous feats in his remarkable career, his motivation to work for a better India keeps him on a never-ending journey that captivates and continues to be an inspiration to many.
Manu Namboodiri
Founder of Save Groundwater Foundation & The Art of Living Volunteer
Passionate about solving the global water crisis, Manu has been working on low-cost, massively scalable approaches to address this immense problem quickly. He is an Art of Living volunteer. He is also the founder of Save Groundwater Foundation which is dedicated to addressing the global water crisis.
The JalTara 'one recharge structure per acre' and '500 recharge structures per village' approach was the result of Manu’s learnings from multiple projects and visits to drought-hit regions across India.
Manu works in the tech industry and travels between India and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Dr. Purushottam Wayal
Project Director, The Art of Living JalTara
He is a versatile individual with roles as a Professor, Farmer, Agricultural Expert, and The Art of Living Teacher. For almost two decades, he has led transformative water and environmental projects in rural Maharashtra, turning arid landscapes into thriving communities.
As an Art of Living teacher, Dr. Wayal not only shares knowledge but also promotes holistic living, connecting people with their environment. Based in Jalna, Maharashtra, he is committed to achieving Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's vision of Solving India's Groundwater Crisis.
Testimonials
When I came to know about the benefits of JalTara, I decided to implement it on my farm. It has prevented waterlogging and preserved groundwater for a longer time.
Krishna Takle
Farmer, Pokhari Village, Jalna District
Under JalTara Yojna, recharge structures were constructed on my farm. Usually, during the summer season, we experience drought problems, but this time there is enough water available for farming all year long.
Digambar Baburao Takle
Farmer, Manta Taluka, Jalna District
After the implementation of the JalTara Project, the water level in my area has increased.
Gyaneshwari Kakde
Farmer, Manta Taluka, Jalna District
Before JalTara Yojna no effort was made to conserve water. After the implementation of JalTara Yojna, we have plenty of water in our hand pumps.
Suman Bai
Farmer, Murumkheda Village
Our village, Shivangiri, benefited from the JalTara Project. This strategy has raised groundwater levels and doubled our income. Today, farmers are happy.
Madan Pandrinath Jadhav
Farmer, Jalna District
In the framework of the JalTara project, we built recharge shafts close to wells. After the very first rain, we discovered that the water level had risen to 75%. The JalTara project is an excellent way to end water scarcity and should be implemented by everyone to increase groundwater.
Mahadev Nivratti Narvade
Farmer
JalTara prakalpa was started in our village last year. I want all the farmers to know about its benefits. Since we live in a mountainous region, the water levels in our village were very low. We dug many wells in our village, but none provided water.
The implementation of JalTara in our village benefited us in two ways: first, it increased water levels, and second, the land, which previously turned muddy due to rain, now remains dry as the water is absorbed by the recharge structures.
Every farmer should implement this project in their village.
Balasaheb Bahekar
Farmer, Jalna District
I had 6 acres of land, of which one acre produced crops. Previously, there was mud after rains. After the construction of JalTara recharge structures, the water level in my well has risen. I can grow more crops now.
Appasaheb Bahekar
Farmer, Jalna District
I have been farming for two years. JalTara came into existence in our village last year. I own 32 acres of land for farming where 40 JalTara recharge structures were constructed. Earlier, where there were 8-10 crore crops, now the land is producing 13-14 crore crops every year.
Narayan Vaidyanath Dighe
Farmer, Ambora, Jahangir Village
Our village's water situation deteriorated after the rains because the mud was everywhere. We needed more water to grow crops. After JalTara's implementation, the situation has improved as all the rainwater goes into recharge structures. Now there is no mud, and water levels have risen.
Balasaheb Lomte
Farmer, Jalna District
JalTara's technique benefited us. We didn't have to spend anything to implement the JalTara technique on our farm and reaped immediate benefits after recharge structures were constructed next to our wells as the water levels doubled.
Vikas Hamre
Farmer, Warud Village
Due to JalTara recharge structures, water levels in the well of my village have increased. I recommend that all the farmers in other villages should implement the JalTara technique on their farms.
Baburao Jaivanto Kakde
Farmer, Jaipur Village (MH)
I was hesitant to bring JalTara onto my farm because the water levels in my well were low during the summer and it was muddy everywhere during rains. In the years 2021–2022, the construction of JalTara recharge structures helped absorb the excess water in the soil and raised water levels in wells. Everyone should implement these to see the results.
Sugan Nitnavre
Farmer, Shivangiri Village (MH)
Earlier, there was too much mud on the farm. Excess water was soaked after constructing JalTara recharge structures. Water levels in my wells have increased. Soybean & chana crops production optimized.
Sulabai Chavhal
Farmer, Murumkheda Village (MH)
After JalTara recharge structures are constructed, crop yield has doubled. Earlier, we used to run the motor for two hours but still had no water. After the construction of JalTara recharge structures, the water level has now increased in the summer too.
I have been farming for 15 years. Due to a lack of water, crop production was very low, but now, after the implementation of JalTara, the crop yield has doubled. I believe the JalTara project will benefit all Maharashtra talukas and districts.
Appasaheb Chauhan
Farmer, Jalna District
Earlier, one of my wells dried up and was not in use. I implemented JalTara on my farm, but neighbouring farms faced the problem of excessive mud. After seeing me, they also implemented JalTara recharge structures, which led to an increase in 14 quintals of soybean yield.
Ashok Ambure
Farmer, Jalna District
Previously, 90% of the houses in this area were made of mud. Currently, 60 to 70 % of houses are built of concrete, and the remaining ones will be finished within a year. When I finish building my house, I'll give it the name 'JalTara'
Nivritti Kisarao Palve
Farmer, Palashkheda Village, Jalna