Last year was the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the second
'caravan' in Auroville. That caravan, like the first caravan a few years
earlier, was made up of a motley collection of individuals who travelled
overland from France to offer their energy and idealism to Mother's Dream. Many
did not stay – the collision with the ground reality was too abrupt – and some
have since died. But the two caravans occupy a unique niche in Auroville's
history, not so much because of their influence on Auroville's future
development – although this was not unsubstantial – but because they represent
the spirit of the times which combined the 60s search for freedom with a thirst
for new forms, new beginnings.
The first caravan of
fourteen people left Paris on 15th August, 1969 and reached Auroville in early
October. Auroville Today spoke to the three members of that caravan who are
still living here: Gérard Maréchal, Janaka and François Gautier.
Auroville Today: Wha...
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