Month: February 2018

Development to Displacements on the right-bank of Tungabhadra

Day 13
11 February, 2018
Hampapattana

The stretch from Mariammanhalli to Varadapura, our first pit-stop seemed like a land of transition,  along with the landscape even people’s accent and food habits changed. For the first time in our journey from the North, we come across people who eat ragi, but not as much as those who live further south. Most people we spoke to, said they also eat other millets like Navane (Foxtail millet) and Same (Little millet).

Continue reading Development to Displacements on the right-bank of Tungabhadra

Art of Re-cyclying

 

Art of Re-cyclying

Activist-friends took us to Mochi Hunagund Yallappa’s (of the Muchigeri community) house. Saraswatamma and Manjula, his neighbours who make kavadi/quilts were also there. Traditionally, Muchigeri or Mochi community were involved in sewing kavadi, which is not only handmade but also a recycled product made from old saris and other used cloth.

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Marching through the Hand-sculpted Historic landscape

Day 8
06th February, 2018
Kanakagiri

We moved from the Nawabs ruled Hyderabad-Karnataka region to the Vijayanagar empire as we moved towards Kanakagiri. We could see the change in the landscape, crops and architecture of temples with Sufi influence still existing but not as prominent as in Hyderabad-Karnataka.

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Towards Tungabhadra…

Day 9
7 February, 2018
Gangawathi

Just after we set from Kanakagiri early in the morning, we met two Kurubas Jamanna and Lingappa carrying their drums as they were waiting for a bus to their village. They perform drums in village festivals but their regular work is Shepherding, most communities earlier had one or other performing art skills.

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A blissful morning listening to Putturaj Gavai

Day 7
05th February, 2018
Tavaregera (Tawaragera)

We set off early this morning from Gumgeri, as we had a long distance to cover ahead. Meanwhile, we took a brief stop in a beautiful temple premise in Hanchinala, a village for breakfast.  On the side of the road, beautifully woven tents, pitched in an open field and a group of people,  the nomadic Buda Beda Jangamas  camp site!

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The Handmade Splendour of Hampi

Day 10
8 February 2018
Hampi

We set off at 6 am as usual, and with the breaking of the dawn we found ourselves traversing an undulating landscape. We did not meet too many villagers but saw more paddy grown along the way. We also saw a small shrine of Huligemma and a woman priest too. Continue reading The Handmade Splendour of Hampi

Hand-crafting in Dotihal

Day 5 of Padayatra, 
03rd February, 2018 
Dotihal

Culture of Prasada (Sharing of food)

As usual we woke up at 5 AM. At prayer today, in addition to the usual “Raghupati Raghava Rajaram”, there was a beautiful rendering of “Vaishnava jana to” by our volunteer, Nishanth. We left Kandagal at 6 AM. As we moved towards the centre of the village, some people who had gathered near a tea shop enquired about our walk and offered us tea. They also asked us to have prasada today in their village. Sharing of food with guests is considered offering prasada. It is a gesture of warmth.

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TheHandmade jaatha – A Long March for the handmade

Farmers, Weavers, Craftsman, Cowherds, Shepherds, Agricultural workers are all going to congregate at Kodekal for unity. Hindus, Muslims, Christians all are going to congregate there for unity. “Touchables and Untouchables” are both going to congregate there for unity. Students, Youth, Writers, Intellectuals are all going to congregate there for unity.