The People Tree
 The
people at People Tree take pride in their reputation
as a small independent business, which combines social
and ecological responsibility with the spirit of collective
creativity. This vision guides them, their work as a design,
production and retail centre. The place has a cool and
no fuss ambience, which attracts all adults and students
alike to this place.
It began in 1990 as a small group of designers and friends
working together in this shop space. Stifled by conventional
jobs, each of them was looking for an alternative, workspace
that allows them to play, give freedom to experiment and
create, express social and political concerns through
art and, of course, also sell! This idea was the seed
that grew to be People Tree.
In eight years, People Tree has become a base for a lively
group of artists and artisans, social activists and
environmentalists, media and development workers
and many others who share their philosophy. In fact the
logo of the People Tree is derived from a  Dhokra
metal sculpture fashioned by a tribal artist in Bastar.
All living things gather to create, share and celebrate
under this tree. People carry away their purchases in
recycled paper bags made by a group of street children.
It will leave an imprint in your life through its recycled
products, garments and textiles, kurtas, lungis and
T-shirts with messages. These are hand and screen-printed,
block printed using vegetable dyes, cards, notebooks,
bookmarks made from recycled and organic paper, wall hangings
and bookmarks made of Palm tree leaves, bags made out
of jute bags, scented candles, herbs, cassettes, jewellery,
artefacts and many unique products are available here.
Books, journals, music and videotapes on cultural
and environmental politics, human rights, gender and gay
rights, alternative perspective on liberalization and
international development, organic farming, children's
books and literature from people's movement can be found
here. Hard to find publications from NGO's like the Third
World Network, the other India Bookstore, Centre
for science and environment, INTACH, Kali for Women
and many more. People Tree houses the only alternative
bookstore in Delhi.
 People
Tree also provides design services to activist organizations
and NGO's. They also hold workshops, exhibitions and design
graphics for Oxfam, WHO, the Krishnamurti foundation,
Narmada Bachao Andolan, SAHMAT and others.
You will find Warli tribal paintings, black iron sculptures
from Bastar, Madhubani and Godna art, Wire toys, paper
machie products and thong kong tyre, chappals from
Manipur and other products, which are Eco and employment
friendly. Organic apricot oil from Beej Bachao
Andolan (a campaign to preserve genetic diversity),
Bees wax, honey and organic coffee from the Key
stone foundation that work with the tribal communities
in south India. Embroidered leather products from Kutch
Mahila Vikas Sadan. According to Gurpreet Sidhu
the owner, "This is an open place a platform for artists
to express themselves. Somewhere along the line I felt
we were losing focus, losing that Indianness which defines
us. This idea came to us then, when students were ready
to buy T-shirts from Janpath. We decided why not give
them T-shirts but with an Indian touch. In fact India
is really hot abroad now a days, but what we want is that
India should have its identity forever, should be in forever
and not be something like the flavour of the year. We
promote artists, rural and small industries, and small
publishers. Our movement is at the grass root level and
we have been successful as many NRIs and the so-called
elite come and shop here. India is such a diverse country
and it takes a lifetime to discover the place."
Like the sheltering 'Pipal' (Ficus religiosa) under
which villagers gather, People Tree has helped a diverse
range of groups come together so that, over time, the
boundaries separating the usual categories of 'passive'
consumers, 'traditional' craft persons and 'creative'
designers have become blurred.
Some eco-friendly tips:
Save a tree, Save a forest, Save the Earth.
A newspaper bag represents one of the most energy efficient
means of recycling paper.
The use of plastic is ecologically destructive, boycott
polythene bags.
The use of handmade paper promotes small industry.
- Jyoti Narang |
