The Meaning Behind the Collaboration

This collaboration brings together Sachitra’s ecological storytelling and Kumbhi Kagaz’s circular, handmade materials. Rooted in science, culture, and care, the artworks find new life on upcycled paper, transforming everyday objects into quiet reminders of coexistence. It is an effort to make conservation narratives tangible, accessible, and part of daily life.

This collaboration exists at the intersection of art, ecology, and material responsibility. By bringing Sachitra’s artworks onto upcycled paper products, we aim to extend their life beyond galleries and screens, into everyday spaces where reflection can quietly unfold.

Together, we see this as more than a product collaboration. It is an attempt to make conservation narratives tactile, to let art travel through hands, and to remind us that coexistence begins with how we choose to create, consume, and care.

From Artwork to Object

Every artwork in this collaboration begins as a carefully researched visual narrative. Sachitra’s illustrations are rooted in ecological knowledge, cultural context, and close observation of landscapes and species. Translating these works into physical objects required a process that was equally thoughtful.

Rather than treating the artwork as a surface print, the focus was on understanding what the artwork carries its rhythm, symbolism, and intent. Scale, colour depth, and composition were adapted to ensure that the essence of each illustration remained intact when transferred onto paper.

The choice of upcycled, handmade paper plays an active role in this translation. Its texture, irregularity, and natural tone soften the image, slowing down the act of viewing and encouraging a more tactile engagement. Each piece becomes slightly unique, shaped not only by design but also by the material itself.

Through this process, the artwork moves from being something to look at, to something to hold, use, and live with, allowing ecological stories to quietly enter everyday spaces.

"What follows are objects shaped by story, material, and intent"

The Sachitra × Kumbhi Kagaz collaboration unfolds as a considered collection of everyday objects, each designed to carry ecological narratives into daily life. Rooted in scientific understanding and shaped by handmade materials, the collection allows art to move beyond display and become part of lived spaces.

Each piece is produced on either water hyacinth paper or recycled cotton paper, chosen to complement the character and detail of the artwork it carries. Subtle variations in texture and tone ensure that every object retains a sense of individuality, reflecting the handmade nature of both the art and the material.

Rather than functioning as standalone artefacts, the pieces are intended to be used, revisited, and reflected upon allowing stories of coexistence, regeneration, and interdependence to quietly accompany everyday moments.

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Art that was meant to be seen slowly finds a form that invites the same.

Material & Making

At Kumbhi Kagaz, material is never just a surface, it carries memory, labour, and responsibility. The foundation of this collaboration is handmade upcycled paper, created using two recovered fibre streams: invasive water hyacinth and recycled cotton waste.

Water hyacinth, an aggressive aquatic weed that disrupts freshwater ecosystems, is transformed into paper through careful processing. By reusing this plant, the material carries a story of ecological intervention, turning an environmental challenge into a usable resource.

Recycled cotton paper, sourced from pre-consumer textile waste, offers a softer, more refined surface. Its durability and tactile quality make it ideal for holding detailed illustrations while retaining the warmth of a handmade sheet.

Each paper type is produced in small batches, allowing the fibre to retain its natural texture and variation. These irregularities are not treated as imperfections, but as evidence of a slow, hands-on process, ensuring that no two pieces are exactly alike.

The choice of these materials mirrors the themes explored in Sachitra’s artworks: regeneration, coexistence, and circularity. Here, the material itself becomes part of the narrative, reinforcing the idea that conservation extends beyond imagery and into the choices we make while creating.

Stories of nature find their place on materials born from recovery and care.

Winter Tales

The warmth of interdependence during the winter season. It shows a community woven together by seasonal rhythms from the tea harvest and the crafting of jaggery to the knitting of wool and stringing of marigolds

Raja Rani

This fusion suggests our existence is shared, and to protect vulnerable species like the rhino, and the natural world that sustains us both, is to protect a vital part of our own world.

Intewoven Lives

Together, the twelve illustrations propose a holistic view of conservation. Protecting
wildlife cannot be separated from safeguarding indigenous knowledge, artisanal
livelihoods, and cultural memory. The calendar invites viewers to see conservation not as
a distant cause, but as a shared inheritance; where forests, rivers, animals, crafts, and
people are bound together in a living, breathing continuum

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About Sachitra

Founded in 2025 by ecologists and artists, Sachitra (सचित्र) aims to give vital ecological knowledge the visual and narrative language it often lacks. The Sanskrit name Sachitra means "with image" (Sa - with, Chitra - image), reflecting our purpose: to tell nature's stories through art and visual expression. It is a bridge between data and expression, blending ecology, fine arts, mindfulness, and cultural heritage.
Our Approach: Science-Led, Art-Driven
At Sachitra, we bring together scientific depth and artistic expression, ensuring that every piece we create is not only visually compelling but also ecologically accurate and culturally meaningful. As conservation biologists and ecologists with strong artistic sensibilities, we blend evidence-based insights with creative storytelling. We don’t just make things look beautiful—we make them truthful, clear, and impactful.


Our work is built on collaboration. We listen to your vision, your research, and your goals, and then co-create with you. Each project is a journey where ideas are exchanged, perspectives are valued, and the outcome reflects both our expertise and your unique story. There is no one-size-fits-all approach at Sachitra; every design, campaign, or awareness material we produce is
carefully crafted to resonate with diverse audiences, whether in classrooms, NGOs, companies, or communities

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