Founded by Anurag Banerjee on 29 March 2010 at Kolkata, Overman Foundation is a non-profit organization which runs India’s leading research institute providing the facility of online research on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother to researchers, scholars and independent authors. It is not a religious organization but a centre of research and spiritual learning. Overman Foundation is also associated with various social welfare-oriented activities and runs several projects towards this end to help people in distress.
The Archives and Research Library:
Overman Foundation provides an ‘intellectual sanctuary” in the form of an Archives Library which houses a large number of books in English, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi and French on Sri Aurobindo Studies, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Order, Indian religion and spirituality. The Archives Library is an integral part of the organization since its very inception and utmost importance is given to it. It also has an impressive collection of rare books on Sri Aurobindo and the Mother including first editions of Their various books. The library welcomes donation of personal libraries. Many such collections including those of Aditi Kumar Bose (grandson of Charu Chandra Dutta, I.C.S. and husband of Bani Bose, famous author), Chitra Bose (daughter of Harendranath Majumdar, former Food Minister of Bengal and a nephew of Swami Brahmananda, the First President of the Ramakrishna Mission Order), Jishnu Guha (grandson of famous writer Premankur Atorthy) have been donated to the library.
Researchers and scholars are allowed to study and take notes from the Library. As most of the books in the Archives Library are rare, lending is allowed only in special cases.
Overman Foundation has an Archives where over 35,000 documents, photographs, press cuttings, government documents, unpublished correspondence of Sri Aurobindo, the Mother as well as the early inmates of Sri Aurobindo Ashram are preserved. Selected documents and photographs from the Archives of Overman Foundation are regularly uploaded in the online forum of the organization. It is noteworthy that all the documents and photographs in the Archives of Overman Foundation are digitized as well.
Original letters written by Rabindranath Tagore, Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, Bibhuti Bhushan Mukhopadhyay, Dilip Kumar Roy, Nolini Kanta Gupta, Nishikanto Roychowdhury and other luminaries of Bengali literature are also preserved in the Archives of Overman Foundation.
The Shrine:
A pair of the Mother’s sacred footwear which Overman Foundation had received from Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust, Pondicherry, on 17 September 2016, adorns the shrine of the organization.
Sri Aurobindo Smriti Mandir:
A wing and major attraction of Overman Foundation, Sri Aurobindo Smriti Mandir is a house of memorabilia of about 500 objects most of which had been used by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother while some were gifts given by the Mother to various individuals. It is the third largest collection of memorabilia after ‘Sri Smriti’ of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry and ‘Sri Smriti’ of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi Branch. For details please click on the following link:
http://overmanfoundation.org/sri-aurobindo-smriti-mandir/
Regular lectures and discourses:
Lectures, discourses and talks by eminent exponents of Aurobindonian philosophy and Integral Yoga are organized and sponsored by Overman Foundation throughout the year. Workshops on subjects aiming to make life beautiful are also conducted regularly. Overman Foundation also organizes the annual “Shrimat Anirvan Memorial Oration” and “Subhash Kumar Mukherjee Memorial Oration”— in memory of Shrimat Anirvan (8 July 1896—31 May 1978), one of the finest exponents of Indian scriptures and Aurobindonian philosophy and Subhash Kumar Mukherjee (23 July 1927—14 February 2012), entrepreneur, sportsman and a sincere devotee of the Mother, respectively.
Cancer Care Unit:
Since 2016, Overman Foundation has been working for cancer patients. Financial assistance to patients suffering from cancer is also provided by our organization. Fruits, health-drinks, chocolates, soaps, antiseptic baby-powders, etc. are distributed regularly to the all the children suffering from cancer and being treated at the Child Care Centre, a wing of Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre and Research Institute (Thakurpukur, Kolkata) in memory of late Sanghamitra Banerjee (8 August 1956—27 October 2016), eminent actress of Bengali film industry and also the chief patron of Overman Foundation. A substantial donation is also made every year to the said organization.
For further details please click on the following link:
Publication Wing:
Overman Foundation’s activities towards the dissemination of knowledge are supported by its publications. The organization has a very active and productive publication wing through which its research projects see the light of day. It also runs a book distribution agency and an audio-visual wing where books on Aurobindonian philosophy and Indian scriptures are available for sale.
Our Motto:
The motto of all the members of the organization can be best summed up in the following words of Sri Aurobindo:
‘The coming of a spiritual age must be preceded by the appearance of an increasing number of individuals who are no longer satisfied with the normal intellectual, vital and physical existence of man, but perceive that a greater revolution is the real goal of humanity and attempt to effect it in themselves, to lead others to it and to make it the recognized goal of the race. In proportion as they succeed and to the degree to which they carry this evolution, the yet unrealized potentiality which they represent will become an actual possibility of the future.’ (The Human Cycle, p. 261)
The administration of Overman Foundation is monitored by its Trust Board whose members are Dr. Prithwindra Mukherjee, Prof. Kittu Reddy, Ms. Krishna Chakravarti, Mrs. Sayani Mazumdar, Mrs. Shukla Sanyal and Shri Anurag Banerjee.
It is an invaluable contribution to bring to the light the Integral Vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother for the humanity. I deeply appreciate the initiative.
Alok
This is really a novel as well as timely effort to make people in general and the youth in particular exposed to the invaluable treasures of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo as also help people like me who are trying to find entry into the vast and all encompassing kingdom of ideas of the Mother and the Master remain connected with the thoughts and writings of them as well as others who help us greatly in this regard.
Goutom
For the first time I have come across new information on Shri Aurobindo and The Mother. Being a devotee I was glad to peruse the photos and info.
Thanks for the same.
Rathi
Anurag’s initiative is highly laudable. I have benefited from his postings on behalf of the Overman Foundation–rare photos and rare information. Thank you Anurag.
Sreerangan Siddharthan
I am just a devotee and try to be a child of The Mother.I certainly benefit the material published under Overman foundation
I am just a devotee with the aspiration to become The Mother’s ideal child and perfect instrument.
Thank you Mr. Banerjee to give us such rich volumes of The Master and The Mother.
thanks a lot mr.Benerji 4 rare photos of The Divine MOTHER.Your efforts worthy to be praised.THANKS AGAIN.
the orientation and findings of this online research institute are best .
Thank you Anurag for this foundation, & the Oration of Sri Aurobindo on his birthday 1909.
thanks for the photos and tags! discovered unseen pictures of that day
Belief shall be not till the work is done’
The collective aspiration of mankind for a new race visibly manifests in many ways,Over-Man foundation fulfills the ‘work.Grateful regards to Anurag ji.
photos,just superb really very deeply touching ,it really reminds me of the days when real sadhaks built Mothers ashram……keep it up
For constantly publishing such articles and bestowing information to keep alive the tradition and continuity of the community the Overman Foundation and Anurag Banerjee deserve our gratitude and thanks.
Aju Mukhopadhyay
Dear Sri Banerjee,
I congratulate you for an effort that enlightens instead of creating a mess(unlike those who have done it in the name of the Mother). Hope you will continue publishing many such revelations.
Bikash Rath
Dear Anuragbhai
Today I just touched the waters of the ocean that The Overman Foundation is. More than two hours passed just like in a Blink . You have provided a MASS of authentic material to study ,to analyse , to muse , to memorise and ultimately to grow in the BHAKTI and literature of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Thanks a lot .
Warm regards ,
kailash joshi, Baroda .
Today 24th April 2013,I open Overman Foundation,Few devotee’s photo express me as Samagra Jibanee yog,hope everyday i shall drink drops of Overman to realise the vision of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother
Dear Anurag
I am a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Maa from long back. I visited Pondichery three times and associated with Aurobindo Bhavan and Pathamandir, Kolkata. I studied many books and articles but the information and materials presented in Overman Foundation is Amazing. I feel very lucky to find such a website. I express my respect and love to you for doing such a work.
Dr. Prasanta Kumar Sinha, Scientist
CSIR-CGCRI, KOlkata
Dear Anurag,
Would you consider to include a listing of Dyumanbhai on this wonderful website site? It could be considered by some as a worthwhile addition to this site of man called “the luminous one” — the name given to him by Sri Aurobindo.
http://sriaurobindoashram.com/Content.aspx?ContentURL=_StaticContent/SriAurobindoAshram/-09%20E-Library/-03%20Disciples/Dyuman/Index.htm
Namaste, George J.
I am a graduate student in the field of evolutionary biology. science says there is no apparent reason for there to be a purpose to life, i am trying to look at how religious philosophy deals with this issue. I was amazed by the quote on this page which is about the race and the ulterior motive, i learn that this is not a religious organisation but has a scientific approach. Yet there is a huge disconnect with current scientific knowledge about life it purpose and existence. I am amazed at this idea that why humanity should ever have a goal and furthermore work towards it? Can anyone please explain?
Dear Anurag,I am a devotee of Sri Aurobinda & Sra Maa Since Long.Thank You Your Overman Foundation.We have also Trust And Society for Development Spritual India.KAMAL MAITRA, Taxation & Legal Consul;tants,State Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party,west bengal,kisan Morcha.
Dear Anurag vai,
I found this site in Facebook. Casually I Google it. But when I went through the pages of this site, I found it more surprising! I must admit that your efforts are remarkable. I can feel you’re a blessed child of the Divine Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
Wish you all the luck for the further journey in the Sunlit Path.
Regards,
Anindita.
Dear Anuraghji,
I found this site due to the search of vedas….I am really thanking you for your great effort to spread the message of Maharshi sri arabindo….with love…..anpesivam8@gmail.com
I am a relatively new member of this family of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Going through your blog has made me come in touch with so many aspects of our Gurus. The in-depth research and the beautiful pictorial representation (wherever and whenever available) make the whole experience even more profound and beautiful. My best wishes for this and all your future ventures. May you always be guided by Their light!
All Auro-world is grateful to you for your enriching work and research through Overman website, the foundation and publications. It has become a great place of inspiration and enrichment to numerous disciples and interested people.
I am a follower of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s Yoga in the USA for 10+ years, and am interested in the history, sadhana and whereabouts of The Mother’s descendants.
First, I must applaud the Overman Foundation and the valuable role you play as a historical archive and research center for Sri Aurobindo, The Mother and the Integral Yoga. I hope to one day to visit your center and attend your lectures, workshops, and browse the unpublished correspondence and materials related to the early years of the Ashram. As a devoted follower of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother, I find this all very interesting.
The dedicated and devoted work of Anurag Banerjee has always been a joy for me to follow. While we at our website, motherandsriaurobindo.in aspire to include the talks and writings of current disciples, the Overman Foundation works unceasingly to research and collect a vast array of material from earlier years. This helps all devotees to go deeper into the rare treasure of the life and works of the dual avatars, Sri Aurobindo and Mother. I applaud Anurag’s wide-ranging efforts and his untiring aspiration. He is a true child of the Divine Mother and Lord, Sri Aurobindo.
Narad (Richard Eggenberger)
My heartiest compliments to yourself, creating such a valuable web forum on Sri Mother and Sri Aurobindo. I found some valuable information and correspondence , for interesting use.
With loving regards
Hemang Vyas – Mumbai.
In this website there is also a lot of interesting and useful information:
Million thanks, Sir Anurag jee 🙏🌸
Your articles are like Bengali Sweets : I actually wait for your posts…
जय श्रीमाँ !! वन्देमातरम!!
🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹
Thank you. I HIGHLY THANK SHRI ANURAG BANERJI FOR BRINGING SUCH WONDERFUL ASPECTS OF SHRI AUROBINDO AND THE MOTHER’ LIFE
Prem Jindal