Our Journey
Beginnings
Mannmuqi Village was conceptualised and built by the patriarch of our family – Mr. S Natarajan in the year 2013. It was started to provide the elderly with a place where they could retire with like minded individuals in a safe and healthy environment.
Rural Development Foundation was also started alongside the retirement home to provide the residents with an opportunity to give back to society and interact with people from many walks of life while living here.
Building communities
In time to come, the various programs conducted through RDF Mannmuqi helped the local rural community in dealing with health issues, education, skill development and women’s empowerment. During times of crisis like the floods of 2015 and COVID-19, generous benefactors from all over the country and state poured in support in the form of relief materials which were donated to the affected villages of our locality.
Mannmuqi’s elderly residents passionately contributed through teaching, disaster relief and more. Being a part of a community like this did wonders for our elderly residents as it fulfilled their physical, mental and emotional well-being.
It was a journey that truly let us see what makes a human thrive, no matter their age.
Finding ourselves
We were in the business of being people’s people. In being so, we came across so many different personalities from diverse backgrounds and varied perspectives. We collected recipes, games, traditions, rituals and more anecdotes than we can count. This journey transformed Mannmuqi Village into a multidimensional sanctuary for people in search of a community where they are accepted and celebrated.
Whoever found us, left a piece of themselves behind
and took a piece of us with them…
New Directions
With growth comes change – Mannmuqi Village started as a passion project and has grown to be a space for discovery – of nature, of relationships and of oneself. With the addition of an artist to our family, we are moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose that aims to retain the spirit of Mannmuqi while inspiring artists, seekers and kindred spirits seeking comfort, community and connection.
Clockwise from top left: A panchayat school student during a pottery workshop; Writers’ Retreat session; Summer art retreat for an orphanage; Artists who attended the Writers’ Retreat at Mannmuqi Village.