The future of indigenous knowing depends on the children of the indigenous communities. But, in my view the present drive to send all children to school will ensure the death of all traditional skills; craft, farming, healing, folk arts and other specific knowledge systems that artisanal and village communities hold within. … Continue readingThe Future Of Indigenous Knowing
Deepak Naik has an unusual routine. He walks three kilometers to collect clay. The collected clay is then used to make a traditional percussion instrument called the maandar, which is played during Holi and other festivals. As he speaks to us, he drops weight on the clay to harden it … Continue readingThe Dying Sounds Of Rhythm
The trees of Saranda Forests in Jharkhand are no longer felled unsupervised. The people of the village judicially use the forest resources, such as firewood, fruits, and medicinal herbs. The forest is now protected from unprecedented exploitation … Continue readingHow Gram Sabha Are Putting Power Back In The Hands Of The Communities, One Issue At a Time
These lakes were built by the Palegara or the local chieftains of the empire. The extent of ruling of the chieftains expands all the way to Pathapalya, Gummanayakanahalli, Kalkooru, and Teluru … Continue readingLake Manager Story From Chikkaballapura
soil is a finite resource and the soil in one of the farms in Kookalthorai, Nilgiris has lost its nutrients, very close to being dead because of overuse of chemicals and monocropping. The farmers can harvest for just a few more years and they’ll soon run out of the soil. Some drastic measures need to be taken … Continue readingSoil Health And Chemical Farming
Prasad belongs to the Ezhava community, which is classified as OBC, a community, who were warriors during the time of the Zamorins and trained in martial arts (Kalaripayattu). Their roots are traced to Sri Lanka. They had a dual classification, the status of a warrior (Kshatriya) but the caste of a Shudra (Backward caste, untouchables). However, they have always worked as agricultural labourers. … Continue reading30 Inches From a Loan
“On a hot sunny day, when I was travelling for work across the paddy fields of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, which is famous for its lush green paddy fields. The sight of the vast expanses of the water filled paddy fields, stretched up to the horizon, iridescently glistening under the bright tropical
… Continue readingWading Over The Muddy Fields
The Persian wheel, a mechanical water-lifting device, usually operated by drought animals like bullocks, camels, or buffaloes. This wheel is used to lift water from open wells for easy access to water sources. The word Araghatta, a Sanskrit one, comes from the intermingling of two words “ara” which is smoke and … Continue readingTHE PERSIAN WHEEL
“Yes, we use water from our bore wells. It’s easy for you to say grow something else, can you ensure
As wild animals adapt to a rapidly changing environment, humans need to understand the effects of our influence on this transformation. … Continue readingThe Nilgiris Man-Animal Conflict (Pitching Purpose)