IT was the mango tree that caught the eye of Manasi Puliyappatta and Guruprasad Rane when they visited the site in Thrippunithura, Kerala. The tree became their muse.  The mandate was straightforward. Neelima Chandra, a yoga instructor, wanted a space that would bring yoga, craft, culture and community together.

The final outcome was Shala Twam which means ‘a space for you’. It is today a multifunctional cultural hub with a yoga hall, a clothing boutique run by women, an open-air theatre and small living spaces, all woven together around a lush courtyard. The mango tree stands there,  creating shaded outdoor spaces where people can gather, perform, learn, converse, or spend time together.