A pioneer of Waldorf education in India
Tridha is the first Waldorf school in Mumbai, India. We’ve been loved and trusted since our inception in 2000 because we take learning far beyond textbooks and exams. We nurture students to become capable individuals who contribute meaningfully to the world.
Our History
Tridha was founded by a group of individuals who wanted learning to be a joyful and soul-enriching experience for their children. Our school began with just kindergarten and Grade 1 in June 2000. Today, we have over 600 students enrolled from Playgroup to Grade 12.
We impart a holistic, hands-on education across our two campuses – a city campus in Andheri East, Mumbai and a rural campus in Raigad district, two hours away from the school.
Like other Waldorf schools around the world, Tridha is secular, co-educational and non-selective. We are inspired by the ideas of Rudolf Steiner and maintain strong connections with other Waldorf schools globally. We retain the essence of the Waldorf approach while preparing students for IGCSE and A Level examinations.
Who Was Rudolf Steiner?
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was an Austrian scientist, philosopher, mathematician and educationist. In 1919, he delivered a series of lectures to the workers of the Waldorf Astoria cigarette factory in Stuttgart, Germany. Subsequently, the owner of the factory, the German industrialist Emil Molt, invited Steiner to set up a school for the children of the factory’s employees.
Established in September 1919, this was the first Waldorf school, based on Steiner’s philosophical ideas known as anthroposophy (knowledge of the true nature of the human being). The school’s pedagogy was centred on holistic development and an integration of intellectual, artistic, and practical pursuits.
Today, there are 1,283 Waldorf schools in 71 countries and 1,922 Waldorf kindergartens in 60+ countries. The terms Steiner and Waldorf education are used interchangeably.
The Waldorf Way
The Waldorf Way
The Waldorf method is a holistic approach to teaching and learning. Teachers, parents, students and the entire school community play an active role in creating a space of learning that is alive and full of wonder.
Waldorf education connects education with life rather than grades or textbooks. Every year, students meet a curriculum appropriate to their developmental stage. Like all Waldorf schools, a trust-based relationship between student and teacher is at the foundation of our approach.
Tridha’s Guiding Principles
At Tridha, we hold on to the promise of a childhood filled with joy. Through academics, the arts, and all our specialist programs, we strive to keep the senses alive. Guided by the Waldorf philosophy, we consider it a sacred commitment to help children navigate their path to adulthood, ensuring that each step is marked by joy, happiness, and learning. Through age-appropriate milestones, we prepare them to embrace adulthood with confidence and self-awareness. Our purpose flows through everything we say and do, and we are dedicated to developing conscientious individuals who carve their own unique path in life.
Non-competitive environment
In our non-competitive, yet supportive environment, students develop confidence in their unique abilities and the courage to carve their unique path in life
Artistic development
Tridhans grow into creative and fulfilled adults through a school experience which prioritises the arts, self-expression and problem-solving
Healthy social outlook
We embed dialogue and discussions into every subject, helping students understand their impact on the world and become ethical global citizens
Inclusivity
Sharing, equality and community define the Tridha experience, where students of all genders together partake in lessons, excursions and meals
Individuality
We respect the individuality of each child, giving them the freedom to choose and the support to make informed decisions
Our Mission
At Tridha, we believe that a child’s development must be carefully and lovingly guided for them to become a truly productive human being.
Our mission is to create individuals who possess emotional stability, intellectual flexibility, sound judgement and genuine independence – qualities vital to building a purposeful life in a complex world.
By fostering self-discipline, social awareness and reverence for the world, we aim to provide our students a well-rounded education that guides them to find their own path in life.
Leadership
The management of school affairs is organised between two groups of committed individuals:
- The Indian Education Revival Trust
- A Core Group
Tridha is run by The Indian Education Revival Trust that bears complete legal responsibility for the school. It also monitors the financial matters of the school and cares for its development and maintenance. The Trust also monitors the academics and the functioning of the school, limiting itself to an active resolution of issues brought forward.
Trustees
The Board of Trustees make sure our school will fulfil our mission for each and every student.
Patrick Brillant
Trained in Holistic Medicine (Acupuncture and Homoeopathy), Patrick has undergone one-year residential training in Steiner Education in France. He too is a founder member of Tridha and has been conducting the Steiner Education Course since 1999. (Beginners & Advanced).
Aban Bana
A trained Eurythmist and experienced Waldorf teacher; she was a co-founder and teacher of the London Waldorf School. She is also the co-founder of Tridha. A pioneer of Waldorf schools in India; presently, she is lecturing on new pedagogical and anthroposophical initiatives in India and abroad.
Ruth Mehta
A co-founder of Tridha; she has a diploma in Early Childhood Education Course, as well as a B.Ed. degree from Mumbai University. She has been a teacher for over 35 years. She has been trained in Waldorf education by experienced Waldorf mentors. Currently, she is the Acting Head of the school and the Course Coordinator and teacher for the Steiner Education course.
Navjyoti Brillant
Navjyoti has been working in the field of education for 20 years. She has taught students from Nursery up to Grade 8 and is a teacher trainer and parent educator. Navjyoti holds a Masters in Education (Waldorf) from California, USA, a Masters in Applied Psychology, and a B.Ed. in History and English. She holds a Cambridge International Diploma for Teachers and Trainers with distinction. She has trained in various child-centred modalities like Play Therapy, Teaching for Understanding, and Metaphor therapy. She is currently training to become an Anthroposophic Psychotherapist.
The Core Group And Its Members
Comprising of the Director and the heads of the various sections – Administration, Kindergarten, Primary and High School, the Core Group takes responsibility for all educational matters as well as the day to day running of the school.
Our Mentors
Charu Saran
(Pedagogical Head and Mentor/Academic Consultant)
With an M.A. from Delhi University and a B.Ed. She has been teaching for the past 25 years in schools across the country and across several boards; ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE and A Levels. All through she has taught high school and went on to become the Head of the English Department in Tridha for a few years. In 2012 -13 she took on the role of the Head of High School and then from 2018 -19 to date she is the Academic Consultant for Tridha. Her scope of work is to mentor the teachers of High School and ensure pedagogical standards, curriculum advancement and adherence.
She has also written a couple of textbooks for younger classes for the Pearson group. They are being used as textbooks pan India.
Tour our campuses
Our school building in Andheri East, Mumbai
Terra, our outdoor campus in Ghotavade village, Raigad district
Academic affiliations
Tridha is affiliated with the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CIE) system. We prepare our students for the IGCSE and A Level examinations.
