“Songs of Nature” by Oorjaa: Where Sustainability Blooms

In Bengaluru’s thriving design landscape, where innovation often meets tradition, Oorjaa has carved a niche with its unwavering commitment to nature and sustainability. Their recent exhibition, Songs of Nature, held at Sabha art space, was more than an artistic showcase, it was a lyrical ode to the natural world and a call to rethink the way we create, consume, and connect with our environment. SCALE spoke with Jenny Pinto, the designer behind Oorjaa, to uncover the vision and philosophy that shapes the brand. By Arya Nair

Bengaluru’s lively art scene recently saw a special exhibition called “Songs of Nature,” presented by the design studio Oorjaa at the Sabha art space. This wasn’t just a display of beautiful objects. It was a strong statement about Oorjaa’s deep respect for nature and its commitment to sustainability in all that they do.To better understand this vision, we spoke with Jenny Pinto, the founder of Oorjaa.

We wanted to learn about the ideas, the detailed work, and the influence of the “Songs of Nature” exhibition. This event was a first step toward her bigger, future festival, “Shades of Green,” which will focus on conscious design and green living.

Oorjaa, a studio synonymous with designs deeply rooted in nature’s artistry, presented a diverse collection. Delicate pieces evoked the ephemeral beauty of dried leaves and intricate seed pods, while larger, more imposing installations mirrored the textures and grand forms found in oceanic depths and forest canopies. At the heart of this philosophy is the founder, Jenny Pinto, whose insights shared in a recent interview illuminate the driving force behind Oorjaa.

“It’s always been about nature,” Pinto emphasised, reflecting on the studio’s enduring inspiration. “Right through the designs have always been inspired by dried leaves, dried flowers, seed pods, you know, things that you find in the sea, sea animals.” This intrinsic connection to the environment is not a recent development but a foundational principle that has guided Oorjaa’s creative journey from its inception. Even their earlier designs, she noted, bore the subtle imprints of natural forms like mushrooms and the fluid grace of jellyfish.

The “Songs of Nature” exhibition marked a deliberate deepening of this exploration. The design team embarked on a journey to uncover nature’s hidden marvels, inspired by Pinto’s children’s book, “The Magical Everything.”

This book, a gentle introduction to biodiversity and the intricate workings of ecosystems, served as a springboard for a new level of inspiration. “I made them read the book, and I said, ‘Let’s just be inspired by things we don’t see so often in nature,'” Pinto explained. “In the sense that under a microscope or deep in a forest. Things we don’t see in our everyday experiences.” This exploration led to designs influenced by microscopic organisms and the unseen structures within natural environments, adding a layer of fascinating complexity to the collection.

Beyond the visual allure of the exhibited pieces, Oorjaa aimed to cultivate an immersive experience centered around sustainable practices. A key element of this was the incorporation of paper-making workshops. These hands-on sessions allowed visitors to forge a tangible connection with the raw materials and gain a deeper appreciation for the artisanal processes involved in Oorjaa’s creations.

This initiative served as a prelude to Oorjaa’s broader vision: “Shades of Green,” an envisioned annual festival. “Shades of Green is something that we want to now do as a festival every year,” Pinto revealed, highlighting its purpose as “a platform for discussion on natural materials, on circular processes, circular businesses like green businesses.” The goal is to foster dialogue and showcase environmentally responsible alternatives in design and consumption.

Jenny Pinto’s vision for “Shades of Green” highlights commitment to promoting conscious consumption. She envisions the festival as a platform for various individuals and businesses working with sustainable products to come together. The event aims to encourage a dialogue around green consumption, showing consumers that they can choose beautiful products that have a significantly lesser impact on the environment. It is about creating a new way of thinking where consumption is not about creating waste but about making responsible and informed choices.

Oorjaa’s commitment to sustainability goes well beyond the inspiration for their designs. They carefully select their materials, choosing eco-friendly options like handmade paper made from jute and banana fiber. Their dedication is also clear in their packaging. Instead of using plastic and thermocol, they opt for materials like recyclable cartons and coconut coir, which can be repurposed by the customer in their potted plants or gardens. This careful attention to detail shows a complete understanding of environmental responsibility, turning their products into a message about sustainability.

In discussing the pivotal role of designers in creating a more sustainable and conscious society, Jenny Pinto champions a philosophy of proactive engagement. She believes it’s more effective to demonstrate sustainable practices through action rather than simply protesting or telling people what not to do. For Pinto, the true impact of a designer lies in creating eco-friendly alternatives that consumers can actively choose, thereby positively influencing behavior and contributing to a healthier planet.Instead of solely focusing on prohibitive measures, Oorjaa champions the creation of desirable and functional products that are inherently sustainable.

“If my paper lamps, at the end of their life, you throw out the paper, it’ll just get absorbed by the soil. It’s degradable, it’s not waste.” This inherent biodegradability underscores the principles of a circular economy, minimising waste and the strain on landfills.

Through the “Songs of Nature” exhibition at Sabha, Oorjaa, offered Bengaluru a compelling glimpse into a world where artistic expression and environmental stewardship are inextricably linked. Their dedication to sustainability, evident in their nature-inspired designs, conscious material choices, and the broader vision of “Shades of Green,” serves as a powerful reminder of the beauty and responsibility inherent in creating a better future.

The exhibition was not just a display of art; it was an invitation to appreciate the intricate wonders of nature and to embrace a more sustainable way of living, one thoughtfully designed piece at a time.

Images Courtesy: Oorjaa