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.
Continue reading Marching through the Hand-sculpted Historic landscape
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.
The Handmade series on “Natural Fibers”
Day 5 of Padayatra, 03rd February, 2018 Dotihal
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.
The Handmade and Spirituality of the Hand.
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.
The Handmade Jaatha- Day 2 – On the Banks of Krishna with Koravas or Bhajantris.
Sangappa mante, Freedom Fighter, Simple Living Hand-Making Person from Kodekal.
Day 5 of Padayatra 4th February, 2018 Gumgeri
We set off from Dotihal in the morning, with our heads still reeling from the engaging weaving demonstrations we witnessed.
Around 10am, we reached Kushtagi, which is at the junction of National Highway-50 and State Highway-59, about 50KMs from Koppal. Today being Sunday, the entire town was caught up with the Santhe (fair). In what might have been a large fair, is now divided by the National Highway, and an unheeded flyover at the junction. One side of the Highway is the Cattles section of the fair, and on the other was all farm produce, Millets to Vegetables, Kitchen Stoves to Earthen pots, cleaning items like different kinds of brooms for different types of floors, Apparels, Footwear, everything you will need if you want to settle down in a village.
Day 4 of the Padayatra 2 February 2018, Kandgal
We started from the Saranamma Tayi MaTha walking seven kilometers along more fields of earthy shades, hints of green and dry gold kissed flowers. Mixed-crops of Kadale, Jola, Kusube in straight rows and Jave Godhi in the peripheral patches, Fields of Gold, indeed! we stopped at Harinapura, for breakfast and short rest under a tamarind tree.
Continue reading In the Fields of Gold | Tracing Manteswamy’s Route
