Vani Murthy, better known as Worm Rani, is a woman for whom care comes as naturally as breathing—whether it is caring for people, butterflies, plants, or the planet itself. Known for her pioneering work in composting and sustainable living, she speaks about waste management not with urgency alone, but with joy, warmth, and hope. The same enthusiasm she brings to conversations about sustainability can be found in the way she talks about cooking nutritious meals for her loved ones or nurturing the plants that fill her Bengaluru apartment with life.

Her journey is one of quiet transformation. Once a timid and deeply introverted girl who often lived in the shadows of those around her, Vani gradually found her voice through purpose and action. What began as small steps outside her home evolved into a lifelong mission of helping people rethink their relationship with waste and the environment. Through years of community work and education, she became a trusted voice in sustainable living, inspiring thousands with her practical, approachable, and compassionate outlook.

Today, after decades of championing environmental responsibility, Vani has chosen to slow down. While her message continues to resonate with people across generations, her focus has shifted inward—to caring for her own well-being, spending time with family, strengthening her body, and finding happiness in life's simple routines. Yet whether she is tending to a butterfly, preparing a healthy meal, or sharing a lesson on sustainability, Worm Rani remains what she has always been: a caregiver at heart, nurturing both people and nature with equal devotion.

In Conversation With Vani Murthy

How did you become "Worm Rani"? Who gave you that name?

That name came much later. I was quite active on social media because I felt the need to amplify the work we were doing. Before Instagram, I was on Facebook. When I joined Instagram, I was looking for a username and couldn't get one using my own name. I was thinking of something related to composting. My friend Shyamala suggested "Worm Rani" and said it would suit me perfectly. She was the one who essentially named that profile, and that's how the name came about.

Before becoming Worm Rani, who was Vani Murthy?

Long before Worm Rani, I was known in my area of work for promoting composting and trying to live a low-waste life. Before that, I was a homemaker, taking care of children and elders at home. I rarely stepped outside my home for any work.

A friend of mine, Dr. Meenakshi, who is very well known in the waste management space, encouraged me to get involved in community work. She kept telling me, "Come out, let's do something." That encouragement was the beginning of my journey.

Before that, I was extremely introverted. I was hesitant to talk to people and preferred staying at home. Growing up, I would always be behind my mother, and later I relied heavily on my twin sister. If she was around, I was comfortable going out. Otherwise, I preferred being at home. I was a very shy and inward-looking person.

How did you overcome that introverted nature?

I think it stemmed from a lack of self-confidence. I never believed I was good enough. Over time, I started recognizing my strengths. I realized that I contributed a lot to my family, that I was loving, caring, and adaptable.

Once I started acknowledging my own qualities, I began to change. Today, I am doing things I never imagined I would do.

Were you always interested in nature and environmental issues as a child?

Not at all. I grew up in the city and had no particular interest in gardening, pets, or nature. Even today, I wouldn't say that I was naturally drawn to those things.

My connection with nature developed much later, when I became aware of the environmental damage happening around us. I realized that individuals can make small changes that collectively have a significant impact. That awareness gradually shaped my journey.

Was there a specific moment that pushed you towards environmental work?

I believe the universe brings things together when the intention is right. Working with Dr. Meenakshi on a few projects helped me understand that I could contribute to my community and environment.

One of the first initiatives I became involved in what was called "Wealth Out of Waste." It taught us that individuals can segregate waste and divert it away from landfills.

The real turning point came when we visited a landfill. Seeing mountains of garbage, the methane emissions, the polluted soil, water contamination, and the impact on nearby communities completely changed my perspective. After witnessing that reality, there was no going back. It became impossible to ignore what was happening.

That experience strengthened my commitment to sustainable living and waste management.

You grew up in Hyderabad. When did you move to Bengaluru?

I was actually born in Bengaluru. My family moved to Hyderabad when I was about five years old, and I spent my school and college years there. After I got married, I returned to Bengaluru.

So while I grew up in Hyderabad, Bengaluru has always been home both before and after that phase of my life.

You mentioned your twin sister played an important role in your life. Is there a memory with her that you particularly cherish?

My twin sister was my anchor. We went to the same school, studied in the same class, and grew up together. We were complete opposites. She was outgoing and adventurous, while I was shy and reserved.

She loved cricket and joined the college cricket team. My father insisted that if one of us did something, both of us should do it. So I joined too, even though I had no interest initially.

Eventually, we both represented our college, university, and even the state. Those cricket memories are among my most cherished. We would open the batting together and were always looking out for each other on the field. It was a very special bond.

You've spent much of your life in Malleswaram. How has the neighbourhood changed over the years?

I married into a Malleswaram family in 1983 and moved here. It was a very different place then. It was quieter, greener, and much easier to walk around. There were fewer vehicles on the roads, more trees, and many more birds.

We lived in a large compound filled with trees, and there was even a huge kalyani at the back. I loved spending time around it. The Malleswaram market was where we bought our vegetables, and people walked more often than they drove.

One of the biggest changes I've noticed is the loss of walkability. I used to take my mother-in-law on walks to visit relatives nearby. Later, it became difficult because there were no proper footpaths. The increase in traffic has changed the character of the area considerably.

What is your most visited place in Malleswaram ?

I don’t visit any other place other than Sankey regularly.WHE

You often talk about slowing down now. What does a typical day look like for you?

I've reached a stage where I want to take life a little easier. My children have moved out, so it's just my husband and me now.

I wake up early, usually around 5:15 or 5:30 in the morning. Most days I go for a walk at Sankey Tank with my friend Uma, who lives nearby. We spend that time talking about life, sharing thoughts, and helping each other work through whatever is on our minds.

When I return home, I collect flowers from the terrace, arrange them, light a lamp, and begin my kitchen work. I enjoy cooking healthy meals and paying attention to nutrition, especially protein intake, something my children constantly remind me about.

I also spend several hours at a rehabilitation centre where I work on strengthening my muscles and recovering from various injuries. Staying strong and maintaining balance as I age has become very important to me.

What is something that brings you joy on ordinary days?

These days, happiness comes from simple things—finishing a task on time, spending time with family, meeting my sister and her grandchildren, or simply not stressing over a messy kitchen.

When you are not thinking about composting and sustainability. What are the other things that run through your head?

I think caregiving does take rest of my time. 

When my mother-in-law developed dementia, caring for her became my primary focus. After she passed away, my father spent his final years with me, and caring for him became equally important.

I've realised that looking after people is something that feels very natural to me. It isn't something I consciously chose; it's simply a role that I seem to step into whenever it is needed.

How did you start breeding butterflies as your pets ? Because you did mention yourself as a butterfly mom in your insta bio.

It started quite accidentally.

One day I found three caterpillars on my curry leaf. They looked adorable, and I took photographs and posted them online because I had no idea what they were.

A friend named Anupreet, who is well known for her work with butterflies, contacted me and explained that they were butterfly caterpillars. By then, I had already let them go and was disappointed that I hadn't learned more about them.

That experience sparked my curiosity.

I learned that butterflies lay eggs on specific host plants because their caterpillars can only survive on those plants. Most people see caterpillars as pests and try to remove them, but they are simply eating the food nature intended for them.

I became fascinated by the entire life cycle—from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly. Watching that transformation up close is magical. Whenever I would go on an event, I would always take the pupa with me to show the children there. Children learn much better when they can observe, touch, and experience something directly. That used to be the highlight of my day.

I think that's why I became known as a butterfly mom. The transformation is extraordinary, and it teaches us so much about nature's intelligence and resilience.

One of your biggest messages is that people should take responsibility for their own waste. Why do you think that message is still difficult for many people to accept?

Because it's easier to believe that someone else will take care of it.

Most people think, "I pay taxes. I throw my garbage away. It's no longer my problem."

But waste doesn't disappear simply because we can't see it.

Everything we generate remains somewhere. The responsibility doesn't end when we throw something into a bin.

I often tell people that if you generate waste, it is your responsibility. If you don't want the responsibility, then don't generate it. Of course, that's impossible in today's world, but it helps us become more mindful about our consumption.

The goal is to reduce waste wherever possible and ensure that what we do generate remains clean enough to return to a circular system—whether through composting, recycling, or reuse.

You started using social media relatively late in life. How was that experience?

It was surprisingly easy because I was driven by a purpose.

I joined Facebook in 2007. I still remember my son asking, "What are you doing here?" because social media was largely seen as a space for young people at the time.

As I explored it, I realised how powerful it could be as a tool for education and awareness.

Once I understood its potential, I embraced it completely. I learned quickly because I was genuinely interested in communicating my message.

My niece helped me whenever I got stuck with the technical aspects. She was more excited than I was when I eventually received my verification badge.

What surprised me most was the response from younger people. Many of them would tell me they wanted to be like me when they grew older. I never expected that.

From being an introvert, how did you get the confidence to spread your message ?

I think it came from discovering my own strengths.

For many years, I didn't think I was capable of much outside my home. Over time, I realised that being caring, patient, loving, and committed were strengths too.

Once I began acknowledging those qualities, I stopped focusing on what I lacked and started focusing on what I could contribute.

The confidence came gradually, through action rather than intention.

How would you like people to remember you?

I don't spend much time thinking about legacy.

People often tell me that I am one of the original voices in this space. Some even call me "the OG," which amused me because I didn't know what that meant at first.

If people remember me fondly, that's enough.

Many people have told me that my work has helped them change their habits or see waste differently. If that is true, then I feel I have done something worthwhile.

More than anything, I hope people remember the message: that every individual has the power to make a difference, and that caring for our planet begins with the choices we make every day.

More about Vani Murthy

https://www.instagram.com/wormrani/?hl=en