NeuroKala — Art for the Mind. Connection Through Creativity.

01

About NeuroKala

NeuroKala is a structured, six-session art-based wellness programme designed to support healthy ageing among older adults in India.

By bringing together traditional Indian art forms and evidence-informed principles of art therapy and cognitive stimulation, NeuroKala creates opportunities for creative expression, memory engagement and meaningful social interaction. Through accessible and engaging activities, the programme aims to promote cognitive vitality, emotional wellbeing and a stronger sense of connection.

Scientifically backed, structured sessions
An established programme, run many times across Mumbai
Volunteer-led by school and college students
Absolutely free for participants

A volunteer facilitator leaning in to help two older participants seated at a round table covered with worksheets and colouring materials.

Cognitive Vitality

Pattern work, symmetry and recall exercises that support memory, attention and sustained mental engagement.

Emotional Wellbeing

Creative expression as a gentle outlet — making something by hand, and feeling proud of it.

Social Connection

Sessions are shared, never solitary. Participants work side by side, talk, compare and encourage one another.

02

What a Session Looks Like

Each theme begins from a familiar Indian art form, so participants start from recognition rather than instruction.

A facilitator guiding an older participant through a printed pattern worksheet.

Supporting memory and mental engagement

Structured pattern tasks ask participants to observe, remember and reproduce — quietly exercising attention and recall without ever feeling like a test.

An older participant smiling and holding up a black sheet covered in white kolam patterns she has drawn.

Emotional wellbeing through creativity

Finishing a piece and holding it up is often the moment of the session. Creative expression gives participants something that is unmistakably theirs.

A room of older participants seated around tables, working on art activities together.

Building social connection through art

Group seating, shared materials and side-by-side work turn an art activity into an afternoon of conversation and company.

A volunteer leaning in beside a participant to help with a fine motor art task.

Supporting brain health and dexterity

Fine motor tasks — dotting, joining, shading — keep hands steady and engaged, with support available at every table.

Two people holding up a completed white-on-black kolam design.

Bringing calm through kolam

The repeating grids and flowing lines of kolam are meditative by nature, and deeply familiar to many participants from their own doorsteps.

A volunteer helping young children draw mandalas during a session.

Making mandalas with children

The same methods extend to underprivileged children and young patients, where mandala work offers focus, calm and a clear sense of accomplishment.

Collaborating with NGOs

NeuroKala partners with care homes, community centres and NGOs across Mumbai to bring sessions directly to the people they serve — at no cost to the host or the participants.

Good for recovering patients

Gentle, low-pressure and entirely adaptable, the sessions suit recovering patients and children in long-term care, where quiet focus and small wins matter most.

03

Meet the Founder

Elina Shrivastav

Founder, NeuroKala

Elina is a Grade 11 student at Oberoi International School with a keen interest in art, psychology and neuroaesthetics. Drawing on her experience in visual arts, community engagement and creative leadership, she founded NeuroKala to explore how culturally familiar art forms can support the wellbeing of older adults. Through the initiative, she hopes to make creative expression more accessible and meaningful for ageing communities.

04

NeuroKala in Action

Photographs from actual workshops across Mumbai.

A volunteer helping an older participant choose colours at a workshop table.

Residents of a care home seated around a table working on art activities.

A session underway in a community hall with volunteers assisting seated participants.

A small group of participants at a table with art supplies spread between them.

A finished white mandala drawn on black paper, held up to the camera.

A volunteer sitting with children during an art session.

A child holding up a sheet of four completed mandala drawings.

A child in school uniform holding up his completed artwork.

A bright room where older participants work on art at a round table.

Participants standing together holding up their finished artwork at the close of a session.

05

In Their Words

What a wonderful initiative! The smiles on the participants’ faces say it all — they truly feel happy, included and cared for. More power to her for spreading such joy!
Pranoti

Just wanted to say what a wonderful idea this art workshop for our senior residents is! Such a thoughtful way for them to spend time meaningfully — learning, interacting and discovering a new hobby. I really love how it brings a sense of joy and connection.
Aditi Mathur

All are looking eager to learn, and happy after the art work. So nice an idea for seniors. Loved it.
Nayna

What a beautiful initiative! The smiles on everyone’s faces say it all — they look so happy and full of joy, just like kids. Such a lovely way to spread happiness and connection.
Akanksha

What a beautiful gesture. Our gratitude to your radiant daughter.
Mohini

Nice to see happy faces. Very thoughtful.
Divya

Great to see happy faces.
Nicky

Great job, Elina — a noble deed indeed!
Nikita

Amazing and thoughtfully done. Their smiles tell it all.
Meeta

Lovely idea.
Mahima

Thank you so much. They (my mother-in-law and father-in-law) really liked the event. Thanks for organising this.
Komal

Thank you so much. My mother-in-law enjoyed the art workshop a lot.
Bijal