Nishanth Chopra on connecting the dots, the seed-to-sew model and regenerative farming

Nishanth Chopra is a young, innovative Indian entrepreneur who in 2016 founded a unique sustainable brand and collective called Oshadi (pronounced aw-sha-dhi, which means ‘essence of nature’ or ‘healing plant’ in Sanskrit - @oshadi_collective)

In this interview with Anne Muhlethaler, Nishanth tells Anne about growing up in the textile town of Erode and how, after returning from university in the UK, he decided to carve a new path for himself by breaking with the expectations of his family and launch a small sustainable ready-to-wear brand. In his pursuit, Nishanth came to realise the depth of problems that were underlying the traditional fashion production model, even when trying to do it sustainably. He explains to Anne how, out of a desire to look after the earth after creating clothing, from printing and dyeing to weaving and spinning cotton, the collective started cultivating a new fashion system with a 50-acre regenerative cotton farm.

Nishanth says that if he has any talent it’s really just connecting the dots — right time, right place, right people — and that’s how he was able, step by step, to launch this 'seed to sew concept'. And Oshadi doesn’t just look after not just the soil or think of the finished product. 

Instead, Nishanth shares his vision with the farmers and artisans who collectively work on this project. He says his aim is that the complexity (of figuring out this new respectful way of working with the earth) should end with ‘us’ — making it possible for anyone else in the future to replicate this radically transparent model. 

Nishanth also tells Anne how meaningful change can happen when there is collaboration through real respect for someone’s work — something that’s not always shown to Indian craftsmen and women from a Western point of view. 

A unique voice and gifted entrepreneur, who hopefully will leave you inspired. Happy listening!

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Selected links from episode: 

You can find out more about Nishanth work and Oshadi at https://oshadi.in/

on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oshadi_collective/

And selected press at https://oshadi.in/pages/press

Erode, in Tamil Nadu, where Nishanth grew up https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erode

Fibershed's Rebecca Burgess - https://www.eco-age.com/resources/fibershed-rebecca-burgess-interview

The film Merku Thodarchi Malai that Nishanth talks about on every podcast - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merku_Thodarchi_Malai

The myth of Sisyphus - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus

Sapiens - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapiens:_A_Brief_History_of_Humankind

The article about soil from the Guardian posted on the Oshadi Instagram - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/07/secret-world-beneath-our-feet-mind-blowing-key-to-planets-future

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If you enjoyed this episode, click subscribe for more, and consider writing a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, we really appreciate your support and feedback. And thank you so much for listening!

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