At Nivartana I believe that looking at unpolluted soil, its fertility and mother nature’s choice to grow goodness for our consumption is the way to boost immunity and stay healthy. The inspiration for founding Nivartana in 2021, which means ‘tropical’ in Sinhala my native language, was to bring its indigenous herbs, spices, and handicraft to the global marketplace. The value of infusing healthy supplements into our lifestyles to boost immunity was apparent throughout the Covid pandemic. I personally come from an artistic heritage, my family were traditional artists and inculcated creativity into their own livelihood as tradition. As such the emotion behind artisan production of spices, food, clothing or accessories has special meaning to me. It creates positive vibrations and an optimistic aura surrounding individuals who make the decision to indulge in such items. And it is also a way to experience Sri Lanka even if you haven’t yet travelled there. During the Corona pandemic Coriander, Pepper and Ceylon Cinnamon were amongst the home remedies used to build immunity amongst the locals. This prompted me to make available these rejuvenating herbs and other such healthy spices to the global community.
Having made my home in Germany since childhood, I see people who like sustainable eco-friendly solutions to some frequently used items in their homes and lifestyles. Using naturally produced kitchen utensils adds flavour and removes chemical and plastic elements that can be toxic to the body when heated. Woven baskets are friendly to carry groceries or personal items and held close to the skin give no harmful discharge. Accessories worn as ornate jewellery with its beauty and its aura are one of nature and serenity as the substance is in sync with nature.
As we thrive on fair trade and community upliftment, we source from the origins of authentic communities as farmers and craftsmen/or women. I have visited my suppliers and understand the sincerity with which they farm and sell their produce. They are not in the mass production chains and are not supplying big corporations. Their yield is nature’s way slow, nutrient-filled, handpicked and produced in small quantities, assuring the quality and taste stays authentic. It is believed that almost anything can be grown anywhere, but the soil holds the key to the nutrient value as does the growth process, which enhances flavour and fragrance which tingles the senses to absorb what is good. There are certain spices and herbs that are better in specific regions, these hold higher potency, and we source with knowledge of this value.
Our Mission
To bring the authentic goodness of herbs, spices and ayurvedic holistic healing remedies that can be infused within a lifestyle to benefit good health. We aim to do this using premium quality products, packaged hygienically whilst sustaining its nutrients.
Our Vision
Our vision is to bring the goodness found in our island through making available the indigenous spices to our friends around the world, we stand for a brand promise of quality, original flavours, healthy infusions in taste and serve our communities with fairness and pride.
Why Sri Lanka ?
From the shores of the Indian Ocean, known as the Pearl of the Orient, Ceylon and now Sri Lanka comes ‘Nivartana’.
Its rich biodiversity lends to the mixture of herbs, spices and blends of tea. Its monsoonal climate brings about the refreshing of soil nutrients and seasons of harvest. As I am a native, I understand the process and the people. I communicate directly with the source farmers and understand the authenticity with which they do their farming. I can see tradition, heritage and national pride in their hearts as they supply from humble villages and homes to the world. Their knowledge is passed down from generations, they know the best areas of the island that cultivate certain items. The region contributes to taste, aroma, flavour and nutrients according to the weather patterns and soil elements.
My Island artisan farmers require fair trade and our hand to continue to grow and survive their traditions for another generation. It is my pride to support such cultivators because I know losing them would mean losing valuable natural resources and health solutions that cannot be found anywhere else.
We source through small farmers with undiluted crop grown at nature’s pace, and handpicked through generations of farming families, whose hearts are in the land as their families have invested in cultivation and, are often used to surviving on home remedies themselves through the use of oils, herbs, spices and the brewing of herbal drinks and teas. Even more to be commended are the hearts and hands that go into each creation, the gathering of women, the chatter and laughter spreading good vibes of hope and happiness supporting the men that farm with their own efforts of handicraft. We believe in making a difference in a complete circle, whom we buy from and whom we sell to, as we want it to be the complete story of nature’s goodness at your fingertip.
Founder’s Story
Hi, I am Lakshani Perera born in 1997 in Sri Lanka and I migrated to Europe at the age of 16 with my family. My education interests were in International Business and Tourism Management, with higher education in Sales Management.Now I am also a certified Ayurvedic nutritionist.
The Corona Pandemic impacted me to shift directions and I began research into the benefits of natural medicine, or holistic alternatives to western medicines. During the pandemic whilst living in the west I was very much in touch with family and friends back home. I kept having conversations on how they used natural herbs such as Coriander and spices such as Ceylon Cinnamon, Cloves, Saffron and Pepper to make immunity boosting drinks which are naturally grown and found in every single home to use in almost every meal that is prepared. This grew my curiosity into Ayurvedic products and indigenous spices that are grown on my home soil. These soul soothers heal as much as revive, strengthen and contribute to healthier general well-being. The secret of blends and teas goes back many centuries and has served our ancestors through many health ailments. These are gifts of the soil to the people of the land.
At present I continue to explore and discover more healing remedies from my motherland Sri Lanka. Our kitchens produce meals that are infused with spices and enriched with flavour, modernised lifestyle sometimes makes us neglect these elements and we eat meals with poor nutrition. I have discovered that great meals are about the ingredients and not about the time we spend making them. If we equip our kitchen with spice jars and herbs which are natural and add them to our preparations, or drink a cup of herbal tea once a day as a routine. Automatically we boost our immune system. Immune depleting vitamins are trace elements and can differ according to climate and stage of life and general health conditions. This happens in a very subtle way and we tend to lose our wellness suddenly. Using natural solutions in our day to day – prevents this from happening and supports a longer, more healthy life. My curiosity to learn more and more of Ayurveda and Traditional Sri lankan Medicine, made me a certified ayurveda nutritionist and a advise today . I spent the last few years focusing on these topics and I promise myself to do more .
As I do have an inherent love for my birth country, I love supporting the small farmers and traders who continue tradition and culture. Belief begets belief – therefore when natives plant their herbs and spices there is supernatural belief and knowledge that is almost a spiritual experience for these farmers. Finding the perfect Ginger root, or sourcing the aromatique Cardamon or Clove which is harvested after smelling the aroma for its perfect season. It’s pure and its personal.
I like to think that there is a little piece of Sri Lanka all over the world, consumed through food, drink, accessories, utensils, eco friendly daily use items and experienced through flavour, taste and convenience. I like to share the artistic work of the artisan Batik designers who make unique works of art that are very close to my heart. Even though the process of Batik is slow and tedious not to mention the heat of wax and fire, it is a unique work of art that is admired worldwide. Therefore, I welcome you to a ‘Nivartana’ experience, tropical goodness available in a store.
Lastly I would like to say , Our generation has forgotten that nature makes us complete personage. Me as a young entrepreneur thought to initiate “Nivartana”, a combination of herbs,spices and handcrafts which sets a sustainable touchstone in my life. Also, fostering Ceylon culture and traditions in an online platform by combining most authentic Ceylonese products is another vision which is transformed to a reality with the inception of “Nivartana”.” I highly believe that if you want to change the world, the transpose should begin with you, and Nivartana is my outset which I place in your hands.”
Lakshani Perera
Founder