Nistha Agrawal
Priyanshi Dayanand, a young entrepreneur from Lucknow, has turned her passion for plants into a thriving venture that blends art, sustainability, and nature. Founder of “Ecomitra,” an organization specializing in bonsai, birdfeeders, garden landscapes, and hand-painted decorative pots, Priyanshi’s journey is an inspiring tale of turning a hobby into a life’s mission.
Born and raised in Lucknow, Priyanshi completed her schooling at St. Paul’s College and graduated from Awadh Girls’ Degree College. It was during her post-graduation in Economics at the University of Lucknow that her fascination for bonsai and indoor plants began to take root. What started as a hobby soon became a calling. Her love for bonsai art grew deeper under the mentorship of Late Mrs. Santosh Arora the founder of Awadh Bonsai Association with whom she was emotionally connected. Tragically, her mentor passed away during the pandemic, leaving a void that Priyanshi filled with the strength of her resolve to honour her legacy she also started teaching at the same association having 60 members and she being the youngest of them.
Inspired by her mother, who had always been passionate about bonsai but could not pursue it in her youth, Priyanshi decided to follow this shared dream. Despite being selected for a design and management course at the prestigious NIFT, she chose a unique path and started her venture, Ecomitra, in 2015.
Ecomitra: Nature Meets Creativity
What sets Ecomitra apart is its holistic approach to gardening and sustainability. More than just selling bonsai, the organization offers birdfeeders, hand-painted pots, and custom-designed garden landscapes. The pots, sourced raw from villages, are transformed into artistic pieces by her team.
Priyanshi’s first major project, decorating the garden area of Lucknow’s renowned temple, catapulted her venture into the limelight. Today, Ecomitra caters to clients as far as Coimbatore, customizing balcony and garden decorations as per individual preferences.
Since 2022, Priyanshi has been conducting workshops that focus on teaching the art of bonsai. These sessions, which include theoretical lectures on plant care, bonsai training, and landscape arrangements, attract a surprising demographic—90% of her students are elders. “The art of bonsai teaches patience. It’s like the bonsai listens to your imagination and vision and evolves accordingly,” she shares. She herself does bonsai and provides garden consultations. You can check her work on the instagram handle “ecomitra.greens”
Challenges in Growth
While Ecomitra is making waves in Lucknow, Priyanshi faces significant challenges, particularly in sales. Bonsai plants used to be considered expensive because they require species not readily available in Lucknow’s climate, sourced instead from vendors across India but Ecomitra has some species which are locally available and are not considered expensive. Furthermore, the younger generation’s lack of interest in such a meticulous art form poses another hurdle. “In a crowd of 100 students, only 2-3 are genuinely interested,” she regrets, reflecting on the impact of the social media age on traditional crafts.
A Legacy of Learning
Priyanshi’s passion for bonsai is deeply rooted in its philosophy and practice. The principles of bonsai cultivation—species selection, leaf size management, wiring techniques, and plant training—require patience and dedication. Beginner-friendly species like Ficus, Jade, and Manokamani make the art accessible, and Priyanshi herself continues to attend classes to expand her knowledge.
Her workshops, apart from teaching the technical aspects of bonsai, also promote environmental consciousness. She advocates for planting more trees and shunning artificial plants. Her team’s work, from sourcing pots to creating bespoke landscapes, reflects her commitment to blending art with sustainability.
A vision for the future
Priyanshi Dayanand’s journey is a testament to how passion, perseverance, and a commitment to nature can create a flourishing enterprise. Ecomitra, now a household name in Lucknow, stands as an example of how one can create something “different yet unique.”
For Priyanshi, the art of bonsai isn’t just about cultivating miniature trees; it’s about cultivating patience, imagination, and a deep connection with nature. Her message to the community is simple yet powerful: “Keep planting more trees and avoid artificial plants.”
As Ecomitra grows, Priyanshi continues to nurture her dreams, one bonsai at a time, leaving an indelible mark on Lucknow’s landscape and inspiring others to connect with nature in meaningful ways.
