Shruti Tharayil

27/07/2025

About 10-ish years ago, when I first met , this total enthu cutlet walking away from his corporate life, I told him about my dream to work with Adivasi communities. And just like that, he packed his bags and walked into the forests of the Eastern Ghats with me, hand in hand. One of the best decisions we ever made. We literally lived on the edge… completely one with the wilderness.

Since then, one of us sets the compass and the other follows. After being nomadic for almost 3 years, this time I’m following the (no longer corporate, completely transformed) man down a path he’s choosing.

Our current life update is that we now call Goa home. It’s been a surprising shift, slow, laid-back, exuberantly green. 🙈 Nowadays you will find us on the roadside, following a snail or just clicking the beautiful flora of this land.

It is a bit unsettling to be part of such a huge population of settlers in this land, but we’re acknowledging that and learning to live with it.

So, if you’re in Goa, hit me up (I’m mostly an at-home person, but there are days I feel like meeting people 😉). Or if you’re travelling here, let me know, and if our stars align, we’ll meet up 😁

Last 2 photos are from the era of us working with adivasi communities in the Eastern Ghats.

28/04/2025

In my non-plant foraging life, I was professionally a facilitator. I used to hold spaces for personal, interpersonal, and systemic transformations, and for close to a decade, I proudly wore the badge of a facilitator on my shoulders. I still do, though now only those who have seen me in that role know about it.

After a break from facilitation, reached out to check if I would be interested in co-facilitating a workshop for students in their final year at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology , who are working on their final enterprises. For someone who has recently owned the title of a social entrepreneur, I felt it was a great opportunity to bring together my rusty facilitation skills and my emerging clarity around my own entrepreneurial endeavor, and I willingly said yes.

I'm so glad I did!
On the first day of the workshop, the students were restless sitting in the circle. They were skeptical , about the process, about the facilitators, but they trusted and stayed. Slowly, we noticed cracks appearing in their resistance, and by day four, rays of light were flooding the circle. It was beautiful to witness the transformation through carefully curated tools and sessions, where we explored larger themes of separation and interbeing, down to the minutest personal themes around their own compasses of reaction, weaving all of this together into their entrepreneurial projects and journeys ahead.

This workshop reminded me why I love facilitation. It was also an honor to co-facilitate with amazing friends and professionals whose work in the world I deeply respect.

Curious if a "Building a Healthy Enterprise" workshop is something you’d like to explore with your students? Hit us up , we’d love to chat!

20/04/2025

They rise from cracks in the concrete and corners of fields—silent, steadfast, and full of life. Weeds, though often cast aside, are the quiet caretakers of our ecosystems. They feed the bees, butterflies nourish the soil, and offer us food and medicine in their humble forms. Misunderstood by both nature and society, these so-called “weeds” are powerful allies in maintaining healthy biodiversity.
Giant milkweed, blue porterweed, are wild plants that support pollinators, host larvae, enrich the land, and sustain countless lives.

They remind us that beauty and purpose aren’t always manicured. To heal the earth, we must welcome even the plants we didn’t plant. To nurture a thriving planet, we must embrace every part of nature—even the ones we’ve been told to pull out.

Poster inspiration from

Know more weeds that are excellent pollinators or host plants? Share with us in the comments 👇🏽

08/04/2025

Forgotten Greens presents to you, the traveler’s guide to foraging in Himachal! Curated by Mahika Mor who documented these wild edibles during her time in Himachal.
In Mahika's words "Before I set off on this journey, I thought to myself that I want to learn about the wild foods and flora of the land. And fortunately, I met some beautiful people who guided me on treasure hunts for wild flora in forests and farmlands of Himachal.

Disclaimer: This is in no way an exhaustive list. I’ve only included plants I was able to identify, gather and eat in the limited time I had there. The idea behind this poster is that if you’re traveling to Himachal like me, these are some of the plants that are more commonly found and known and that you can have fun searching and identifying 😁"

Also, Morrels, locally known as Gucchi, face the threat of over-harvesting because of increased attention. Over-harvesting negatively impacts their ecosystem and can lead to a loss of their natural habitat. So, if you’re looking for them, or any of these other plants, gather only what you need!

Are there other flora you’ve foraged in the wild in Himachal? Tell us in the comments!

18/03/2025

Join us this April for a deep dive into the world of wild edible and medicinal greens growing across the Indian subcontinent. This comprehensive masterclass consists of four sessions, each focusing on different aspects of uncultivated plants, with ample time in between to deepen your learning.

We call it a masterclass because, well, why not? It’s the era of masterclasses! But if you’re truly keen on exploring plants—their socio-cultural significance and their role in the larger food system—then this is for you.

We’re offering an early bird discount, so don’t miss out! And as always, if you find this work meaningful, please spread the word in your circles.

Click on the link for more information and to registration- https://rzp.io/rzp/4VjWuNq

01/03/2025

Since time immemorial, families have always been difficult for me to navigate, but when I look back, they have also been spaces of strength whenever s**t happens.

I love this photo—maybe because all of us (except my dad) are in it, and we all look so happy, present in the moment.

26/02/2025

Forgotten Greens is finally coming to Mumbai, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with Earthen Routes—a space that truly embodies rewilding!

If you’re curious about the wild edibles growing in your city, don’t miss this unique experience. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, culinary researcher, wild food lover, permaculturist, nature educator, or simply someone seeking a refreshing outdoor adventure, this walk is for you.

"Wild Food Walks," curated by Forgotten Greens, empower city residents to come together, learn, and build shared knowledge about their local ecosystems. We've hosted these walks in Bengaluru, Delhi, Coimbatore, Surat, Chennai, Udaipur, and Thrissur, each offering a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature.

Earthen Routes is a farm and social project dedicated to creating a sustainable and organic community within the heart of the city.

Head to the link to register https://rzp.io/rzp/FnAQbgL

—spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also, don’t forget to spread the word! ☘️

24/02/2025

This post has to be on my grid because my first-ever Delhi winter picnic is something I will cherish in my heart for a long time. Being fed by and experiencing such an elaborate picnic spread was hands down the best part.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again—Instagram has brought incredible people into my life, and for that, I'm forever grateful. Sabina and I got to know each other through the course, and I've admired her culinary creations online for so long. Finally getting to meet her was a joy!

The picnic spread was unforgettable—raw chickpea hummus, her fiery dip (which I shamelessly licked clean), sourdough bread made with black carrots, and the seasonal kanji made from black carrots. And that’s just what I remember— but there was more as you can see in the picture.

Grateful for good food, even better company in the presence of Lodhi gardens 💕

18/02/2025

Since the time I have been on social media platforms, I've loved following seasonal updates. I have especially loved the winter updates from North Indians, particularly my online Delhi friends. The abundance of winter greens and vegetables has always been so drool-worthy, and every year, the South Indian in me would secretly plan a trip to Delhi—freezing at the mere thought of facing the winters.

This year, thanks to an unavoidable engagement, I got to spend some time in Delhi winters. All layered up in woolens that were finally happy to see the world outside my suitcase, I walked around markets, just savoring all the amazing greens and vegetables. Winter brings such abundance to these landscapes, and it’s fascinating how the season seems to respond to the body’s needs. My understanding is that during the harsh winters, the roughage and properties in greens help in staying healthy, building immunity, and, well, pooping well. Happy to hear yo

Like a child in a toy shop, I would stroll through the markets, my heart racing whenever I spotted black carrots or chickpea greens—things I had only heard of but was finally seeing in real life. I’d buy some, and my dearest friend would oblige by cooking them for me. Best Delhi winter ever!

The dream for next time? To stay longer and cook all the greens and vegetables I can get my hands on—both wild and cultivated! Invite me to your home next winter?

Which greens do you recognise? Share with us in the comments 👇

17/02/2025

Last year, Devi from and I embarked on a collaborative project, Greens & Grains, where we have been pairing foraged wild greens with heritage rice varieties to revive traditional diets and celebrate their nutritional and cultural significance.

It’s incredible to see, through this work, how these overlooked edibles can reconnect us to our roots and promote sustainable food practices. Sharmila Vaidyanathan’s efforts in writing about this project and diving deeper into this world to unearth more wisdom around these traditional practices has brought more meaning to our project.

We hope to bring out more nuanced themes through this collaboration this year.

Read Sharmila’s article here and share your thoughts!
https://india.mongabay.com/2025/02/reviving-forgotten-edibles-from-paddy-fields/

Join us in rediscovering the power of our local food traditions!

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

06/02/2025

Thank you Delhi for feeding me the most delicious seasonal food ☺️

26/01/2025

Delhi, Let’s Explore the Wild Winter Greens! Join us next weekend for two unique journeys through Delhi’s urban landscapes to discover the fascinating world of wild winter edible and medicinal greens. These humble plants, deeply tied to the city’s culinary and cultural heritage, often go unnoticed yet hold immense value.

Winter brings with it a rich variety of greens that support and rejuvenate our bodies during the cold months. As the season transitions to warmer days, these greens give way to new flora. This fleeting abundance reminds us to pause, observe, and appreciate the quiet gifts of nature growing in every corner of our city.

On this walk, you’ll learn to identify wild edible and medicinal plants that thrive in urban spaces, gaining a deeper understanding of the fascinating greens hidden in plain sight. Along the way, you’ll uncover local lore and traditional uses associated with these plants, adding a rich cultural context to your exploration. This is an opportunity to experience nature’s generosity firsthand—taste, smell, and feel what these wild greens offer, and even forage a few to take home and incorporate into your meals.

Place - Lodhi Garden
Date - 1st Feb
Time - 10 am to 12 pm

Place - South Delhi
Date - 2nd Feb
Time - 10 am to 12 pm

Head to the link to register -
https://rzp.io/rzp/z8XzcEe

Don’t miss this opportunity to reconnect with nature and celebrate the abundance of wild winter greens in our urban spaces!

And Like always, don’t forget to spread the word in your circles.