Permaculture Teacher Forest Gardener Cultural Bridge Builder
Rakesh also known as Rootsman Rak is a permaculture teacher, forest garden designer and advocate for regenerative living. His journey is not just about growing food. It is about growing people, communities and cultures rooted in connection, resilience and joy.
For over a decade, Rakesh has been sharing his knowledge across the world, teaching more than 700 courses in many different climates, cultures and communities. From small grassroots projects to established eco villages, his work centres on helping people reconnect with nature and with each other.
A Journey Rooted in Nature and Culture
Forest gardening lies at the heart of Rakesh’s work. His designs go beyond food production, creating spaces that support many human needs. Places to gather, learn, play and share food together. His gardens often include teaching areas, outdoor kitchens and spaces for community life, making them living systems for both people and wildlife.
His approach is shaped by ancestral knowledge carried through his Indian heritage. This wisdom is based on living in relationship with nature, valuing self reliance and respecting all life. These roots bring depth and meaning to his teaching in a way that connects across cultures.
As a non white educator in a field often shaped by Western voices, Rakesh brings a different perspective. His work helps bring traditional knowledge and lived experience back into focus, alongside practical design skills.
Teaching Empowerment and the Socio Crazy Edge
Rakesh believes that real change begins with people feeling empowered in themselves and supported in community. His teaching style reflects this. It is interactive, intuitive and grounded in real experience.
Living with dyslexia has influenced how he shares knowledge. He leans into creative thinking, storytelling and learning by doing, rather than fixed academic approaches. This allows people from many backgrounds to engage and find their own way into the work.
His socio crazy approach brings another layer to his work. Alongside land design, he supports groups to work better together using tools such as sociocracy, compassionate communication and group awareness practices. This helps reduce conflict and builds stronger, more connected communities.
Community Youth and Regeneration
Rakesh is a co founder of Children and Youth in Permaculture. This reflects his commitment to intergenerational learning and creating spaces where young people are valued and included. For him, this work is about making sure knowledge continues to be shared and lived into the future.
He has also been part of many Transition Town projects, helping to start and support initiatives that build local resilience and connection in communities around the world.
Rootsman Rak Music Message and Movement
Alongside his work with land and people, Rakesh has been playing reggae music since the 1980s as Rootsman Rak. His sets bring together uplifting rhythms and messages of unity, empowerment and awareness.
He was part of the early movement in London creating smoke free reggae events that combined music with discussion and community space.
For Rakesh, music and permaculture are closely linked. Both are about rhythm, flow and connection. Whether teaching or playing music, the aim is the same. To create spaces where people feel alive, connected and inspired.
A Living Philosophy
At the heart of Rakesh’s work is a simple understanding. We are not separate from nature. We are nature.
This is not something he teaches as an idea. It is something he lives through his work, his relationships and the way he moves through the world.
- Connection over isolation
- Cooperation over competition
- Regeneration over extraction
- Joy as part of the process
Whether working with land, supporting a group or playing music as Rootsman Rak, the intention remains the same. To bring people back into relationship with themselves, each other and the living world.