Murals: Art for Awareness and Expression

Art has the power to inspire, heal, and spark conversations. In March 2024, Mind and Matter collaborated with an artist to create a large mural in Madikeri, using public art as a medium to spread awareness about mental well-being and social change.

Seeing the profound impact of this initiative, we are now set to create five more murals in April 2025, in Madikeri, Kodagu, Karnataka—each in collaboration with different artists. These murals will serve as visual narratives, transforming public spaces into reflections of resilience, hope, and community well-being.

Through this initiative, we aim to make art accessible, encourage dialogue, and create lasting imprints of awareness in the heart of the community.

At Mind and Matter, we believe in the power of community action for meaningful change. The road safety initiative has proved just that.

In April 2025, in a significant collaborative effort, Mind and Matter joined forces with the Muddanda Hockey Festival 2025, the Kodagu district administration, the Kodagu police department, and the Kodagu traffic police, District Road safety committee and the National highway authority of India to successfully orchestrate the "Run for Safety" event. This pivotal Road Safety Initiative 2025 powerfully addressed the urgent need for enhanced road safety awareness and practices within Karnataka's Kodagu region. The event united 140 enthusiastic participants in a visible demonstration of commitment to safer roads at Field Marshal KM Cariappa Circle (Sudarshan Circle), Madikeri, and was supported by a dedicated team of 10 volunteers, highlighting the community's collective dedication to this crucial cause.

One may notice the image of a Humpback Whale in our mural. This magnificent creature symbolizes the harmony Educational empowerment can bring:

• Humpback Whale's songs are a sophisticated form of communication and display ,though being the most majestic being they don’t exhibit territorial dominance, neither engage in physical competition ,they are renowned for their complex and beautiful songs, primarily sung by males. The primary purpose of these songs is to attract the females, and may also play a role in male-male interactions
• These majestic creatures instead of using violence , use their unique mental capacity to use voice over violence and fight, ,to win. It's a display of voice prowess rather than brute force.
• The mural also emphasizes that true education fosters inner peace and understanding, and teaches individuals the importance of living in harmony with themselves, nature and others. This reflects the idea that education should empower individuals to develop mental -emotional resilience, self awareness , voice over violence, and a sense of belongingness.

The Mural's artistry brings to life the crucial understanding that through active engagement with their environment – feeling the earth, touching the trees, experiencing the water, and observing the creatures around them – children develop an intrinsic awareness of its beauty and its fragility. This hands-on interaction is not just play; it's a fundamental way of learning and understanding the delicate balance of our planet and recognizing when it's threatened.

We believe, as this mural so eloquently portrays, that nurturing this connection from a young age is paramount. When children are taught the importance of environmental conservation and experience it firsthand, they become empowered to be conscious and active participants in protecting our Earth for generations to come. The stunning backdrop of Coorg's natural beauty further amplifies this message, reminding us of the precious ecosystems we must safeguard.

The Mural on Environment Conservation is more than just a mural; it's a visual call to action, a reminder of the profound impact of early environmental education, and a celebration of the vital role children play in the future of our planet. We are immensely proud to support art that sparks such important conversations and fosters a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life.

Mind and Matter took its birth in Madikeri, Kodagu in July 2020. Kodagu is famous for Coffee. However, the Kodava community natives of Kodagu are known for their unique culture and way of life. The Kodava community hosts the World’s largest field hockey with over 400 family teams participating for an entire month. The Kodava Hockey festival ( Namme ) has made it to the Limca Book of Records, lasy year hosted by the Kundyolanda Family made it to the Gunniuess book of World Record. This year, being the 25th year hosted by the Muddanda family has been conferred with the World Book of Records. As a tribute tp the legacy of the Kodava Hockey Festival, Mind and Matter collaborated with Chetan Murthy to bring this Mural to life. Kodava Hockey Namme, is a unique and grand sporting event that takes place annually in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka, India was hosted in Madikeri, the district capital of Kodagu. More than just a tournament, it's a vibrant celebration of hockey, community spirit, and the rich cultural heritage of the Kodava people.

Spreading awareness and sparking conversations in Madikeri, Coorg! Artist Roopashree's powerful mental health mural, created in collaboration with Mind and Matter NGO, is a vibrant beacon of hope and understanding. This thoughtful artwork uses compelling visuals to break down stigma and encourage open dialogue about mental well-being within the community.

Making a difference, one mind at a time. Since July 2020 we've empowered 13,000+ students, 900+ parents/teachers in 50+ schools with mental well-being sessions. Our 'Here to Hear' initiative (launched Mar '24) creates safe spaces for sharing, and 'Sundays for Mental Health' (since Jan '25 in Chennai & Bangalore) offers intimate self-care sessions.