A craft shaped by purpose—and passed forward.
For T. J. Varghese, Greenwings grew from the meeting point of social purpose, entrepreneurship and practical education. What began as a search for a better-made soap became a livelihood craft—and then a body of knowledge he chose to share.
A livelihood skill became a life’s work.
T. J. Varghese studied social work and built the early part of his career close to grassroots communities. During his work with the Malankara Social Service Society and other non-governmental organisations, he saw how the right practical skill could create dignity, confidence and a dependable source of income.
Soap making became one of those skills. He helped numerous self-help groups learn to make soap, understand the discipline behind consistent quality and take their products to market. Teaching people how to create and sell was not an extra activity—it was central to his work.
From 2010, Varghese also began making soap for his own use, studying traditional methods and experimenting with natural oils, butters and botanicals. That steady research eventually became Greenwings: a business built from formulation knowledge, patient craft and a belief that enterprise should improve more lives than one.
“Greenwings was never meant to stop with a bar of soap.”
I believe good craft should be studied deeply, practised honestly and shared generously. Soap making gave me a way to bring nature, livelihood and learning together. Every bar we formulate and every person we train carries that idea forward.
He teaches the whole journey—not only the recipe.
Varghese is unusual in a field where formulation knowledge is often closely guarded. He shares the technical thinking behind soap making so learners understand why a product works—not merely how to copy a formula.
Greenwings training has welcomed homemakers, young entrepreneurs, Ayurveda doctors, teachers, chemists, lawyers, professors and university students from Kerala, other Indian states and overseas. Personal online training also makes the craft accessible beyond the studio.
The learning extends from oils, butters, natural clays and essential oils to product development, quality discipline, branding and online selling. Many participants begin out of curiosity; others go on to create an income and a brand of their own.
From soap to a wider botanical practice.
Greenwings formulations bring together quality coconut, olive, almond, castor and grape-seed oils; shea, cocoa and avocado butters; natural clays and carefully chosen essential oils. The same spirit of research now extends beyond soap to lip balms, face creams, body butters, scented candles and bath salts.
The original Malayalam feature.
Read the full Malayalam profile published in The New Indian Express. Open the image for a closer view or download the PDF to keep a copy.