The other side of the river!

My Travelogue

The Other side of the river story

22 September 2010

Not aware of the beautiful day ahead I head on to travel to the other side of the river along with my father in my travelling shoes.

We visited a small village named ‘Kacharu’ my first visit after I gained consciousness but for my father a regular visit. This village can be assumed near Rourkela-3, Orissa however it is on the other side of the river. This place is reachable through bridge during non-rainy season and during the rain only by boat. Ya sound exciting and beautiful but trust me a regular route is often encountered with scary thunderstorm and heavy rain.

Since, I love to explore the ‘Dehaati haat’ or ‘Tribal Market’, I thought of joining my father on his routine check up service. Currently being the Superintendent Doctor he is having charge of three dispensaries because of shortage of Doctors in the Sundergarh District.

On every Thursday this village turns into a colourful affair of their market spirit. Colourful, bold and tribally stylish is the scenery here. Typical sarees, traditional Ikat motif lungis and clothes cater to all size and shape. Slippers, bangles, make up accessories and daily use goods with distinguish rural taste is remarkable here.

Now how can I forget mouth-watering delicacy? Yes luxury treat, which is, cooked fresh in open air on wood and the smoke fills the air with a smell that hijacks your tongue for it. However managed to escape this hijack effect thanks to Mahtma Gandhi for teaching me well on the controls of senses and also fear of my Medico Father.

So what was selling there? Common do not pant. Samosa, gulgula, bara, jalebi, nimki, sew served with kadi and the seating was essentially woody natural.

Food:

Fresh Bamboo 

 Tobacco

Spices

Gourd

Dry fish and prawns

Farm fresh Ladies finger

This flower filled the village with a pinky cheers.

Spring water used for drinking

But how can that one corner escape from my eyes the groovy small space. Where tailor was full on stitching, with his vintage machine. Village is always a good example of better space utilisation concept and also scrap utilisation.

The hilarious Handkerchiefs with tag like ‘Sanaf Bewafa’ or say ‘ unfaithful lover’

Was nicely embroidered no not hand embroidered but by machine.  The bold and beautiful hankies were nicely hanged on to the strings with safety pins. 

My pick-Yellow handkerchief 

Next to this was the nylon, plastic bags or ‘Jholas’ some were vibrant colours and some were regular plastic ones. I am in a habbit of picking all kind of Jholas recently and one amongst this was my new pick up. The bloody red jhola and a yellow boom bloom blossom hanky was my buy from the Haatt. The China Rules! Hats off to china and shame on us. In India Yamuna, Gandak River create flood but the most popular which is flooded and penetrated everywhere is china goods.  Torchlight, waterproof wristwatches and weird gizmos are everywhere and even this haatt was not untouched and why not?  it is cheap, easily mass manufacturable and reachable.

My pick- Red Bag

So from here I reached to the last corner of the market, which was located quite angularly and was really stunning beauty with earthen pitchers and matka in new forms just delighted me like crazy. The colour was so rich orange. The craftsmen were from a nearby village and were not so happy looking as customers were not much and sale was too low that day. I asked them will they work if I train them for new creative products and they were like why not but reality is they will not so easily start as they know it involves mind, time and money without a promising future at least they have a grip in local market which they will never miss. It is a challenging but I have a faith that it will bear good result with a consistent effort and smart actions in movement. The pot that was more like a replica of the most common form of a brass pot was the new of its kind in pottery and it was good as an ergonomic form.

This shows their skill.

My taste- Pottery

In the market one old man just stopped me with a smile on his face and he asked me in oriya “motte chinu cho?” i.e, “do you know me?” and I was like I am first time coming here so how can I know you. Ya I understand oriya sadri and tribal language but difficult and hilarious when I speak.  My guide in the market was my Father’s peon named ‘Madhu’ he was more like my escort J

Madhu is a boy much younger to me but looks quite older. My father was posted to this village when he was transferred from Kuchinda district to Sundergarh district. I was born in Kuchinda village –my father’s first joining here and was brought to Rourkela when he was transferred to Sundergarh dist. and this kacharu village. So I visited this place along with my family when I was just a newly born child. During that time say I am talking about twenty two years back there was no road, bridge or boat that connected this village to Rourkela town. So the only way left was yes cattle or your feet. Walk down the river not the aisle.

So the old person who just stumbled on me was no other but Madhu’s father who was then peon of my father and he used to carry my brother and sister on his shoulder to cross the river. So this was the life then, natural and a struggle. I was sorry that I could not recognize him then he asked me “ tome lucky? sunny kaithi ochi” or “ You are lucky and where is sunny?”

I replied back and said “ Mu lucky nuhe?” and quickly he adds choti. Trust me I was delighted with a balloon heart.  It was really nice seeing him remembering us and talking of the old times, almost he narrated all in that short time and it was a roll back for me. It was a nostalgic affair to remember.

It’s an honour to see people love and respect my father and remember us till date. It’s bliss and it’s a heaven. The name of the old figure that standed against the time was Shri Ramcharan.

Ramcharan Uncle

Many people and patients came to see my father and also me even Goat followed the master who was one of the patient. Trust me Goat have brain like Dog. They were so obedient and listened to the master. I was amazed by ‘Bisri’ and ‘kabri’ name of the Goat and yes the recent fever of the village is 8 elephants and two baby elephos and one being born just a day before we went there. Cannot rely on the numbers and statistic as rumours are normal here but the news is true, as the elephants have fled from ‘Khutgaon’ village, which falls in Bihar Orissa border and is affected by Naxals. Due to constant firing and the tension they have fled to this village. The ‘Khutgaon’ village is also one of the village which captured our childhood best memories as my father had a long term service and the best time here in this village and to pay my homage I had conducted by first ever social cause campaign for the AIDS awareness with the help of my family and friends on my birthday few years back.

Bisri

To visit a village was really adventure for me. I get to see the ruins of Church and a water spring from where villagers fill their pots, this water taste sweet and sour. We were gifted farm fresh ladies finger by a girl whose two brothers are treated by my father. She was too shy for the camera. She took me to the spring and to her farm.

However, the current season of rain is not so good for villages as chronic malaria and jaundice become a epidemic and because of shortage of Doctors the situation becomes more grim and worrisome.

So I was heading back to home, as it was sun set time. It was the beautiful sunset of my life. On my way back just adjacent to my father’s dispensary is a Green hill with wheat bed on its foothill, which was filled with water. The reflection of the sunrays was spectacular. There was a cattle herd going back to where they belonged and a flock of people waiting on the road to catch the glimpse of the elephants. We too stopped with the hope. Children could really see them even if they were not there. Yes this is called height of imaginations in young souls. We waited and waited and it was getting dark so had to move as we were suppose to catch the boat and then we stopped by the little girl my father’s favourite and new addition to his life. He finds her sweet and lovable and every time she sees him she will say ’nomoste uncle’ a heartfelt greeting. I clicked her snap in her beautiful rose garden, which was again a rare beauty to see. Such roses I have never seen in realties, grounded and standing in full blossom.

Can you see their eyes as if they found the elephants...this was the excitement for watching elephants.

The girl with the roses

Then we reached the river and the boat was as if waiting for us.

Oh God I have never seen such a beautiful sunset although I have seen but every next nature’s beauty is a new distraction. Sitting in the boat silently watching the reflected water and the flow, seeing the sun setting down and the birds going home was a heart melting time with a open mouth and a sealed thought. It captured me, hijacked me and yes CANNOT ESCAPE SUCH BEAUTY. Finally reached home and saw a beautiful woman waiting on the gate with a welcome on her face.

More pictures from the other side of the river.

People:

Luxury------------------------

The boating in-charge who takes money from the passengers but not from the Doctor as he gets bonus from them :)

 Mobile mobile everywhere mobile mobile

 The baby patient-Child its just a check up not a surgery- i don't know why kids always cry when they see the Doctor. Poor papa :p

 The boat man

 Nadiya ke paar

 Village school and mid-day meal

Girl too shy to pose but too excited to guide me to the spring and the farm.

Housing:

Market:

Landscape:

  It is just adjacent to the Dispensary- amazing!!!

Copyright@SubrataPandey

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Self Reliance for Sustainable living

‘Sustainable’ is the Global perspective & Perception in existence now.
Green thinking and concepts is in horde. With this growing need of perpetual thinking processes many conference and events are held with numerous endless discussions but intangible results.
In my opinion, in this Globalised world its time for youth to ‘GO LOCAL’ than ‘GO GLOBAL’, Young people can be a tremendous source of energy in forming the bridge between the ‘Local skill based practice’ and the ‘Global Industry’. 

To explain the role of Youth, first I would like to brief up the opportunities areas where actually is need and demand of sustainability. The local skilled base practice is referred to the now Handicraft Industry, which was once known as skill based livelihoods of rural communities. Which not only generated a means of communication, work and a cash flow through ‘barter’ system but even borne the identity of the community and thus form the nexus in the cultural diverse society. Today, hand crafted products are used more like a decorative product rather than utility product but when this crafts was originated it had a utility value to it. It was so well designed that it had an aesthetic appeal which made it possible to still flow in the human production and consumption cycle. The utility products were replaced by cheap machine made goods, leaving crafts utility behind but its beauty survived. For example, Kutch, Gujarat, Metal bell crafts are tools of communication amongst the cattle herd and its owner but also in high demand for interior décor’ products. Pottery still finds its way in Indian houses and is held in high regards. In middle class family, which still forms the majority of Indian population, the wooden furniture and accessories comes from carpenter or craftsmen but rarely from an Industry. Almost all the handmade convention is not just the identity of the communities but is remarkable of a culture and its observances. If one intrigue into this it will uncover many stories and myth associated with such tradition.
 

Various communities in India like Black Smith, Weavers, Potters, Embroiderers, etc still live in a cluster and the production pattern is viable and least harms the ecology. Such skill was exercised since many decades and was in harmony with its natural geographic conditions and its people. If one really wants to sustain the 

production and consumption then three points to remember would be as follows:
1. Eco-friendly; 2. Production friendly; 3. Deliverables to Customer satisfaction.
 

Hand made skills is one such promising area for youth which can be a feasible and lucrative industry. Being youth is being a reservoir of energy and it should be used constructively in shaping up tomorrow’s prospect. They should be a risk taker and not a driver in safe mode. Perspective and perception has to be lead with a clear vision of making the change visible & effective.
People have to get into the small detailing which forms the backbone of any model. They should reframe the local practice and make it a supportable Industry that generates skills for livelihood and better living. They should follow the GOING LOCAL mantra.
Promotion of local market can be achieved by supporting the local crafts, local vegetable market, local shops and local cultural rituals, which will tune the strength of the place & people. The localized strength will collectively form the new culture of ecological practice and which shall not commit the same mistake that was committed by the globalised society. The resources have to be created and made. The depleting resources have to be replenished by being responsible. A lot can be done with creative thinking and design.
In past a lot of issues and drama were created over plastic waste but how many people actually thought of recycling it into a creative product, only few industries and organisations to name. Plastic bags are banned but still in use in many countries. India is one of them. Khamir (www.khamir.org) is one such organisation in India,
which is reusing plastic polythenes in weaving and is producing stationary folders, bags and dairies.
Many such examples and ideas can be thought and initiated. One has to think small before making it big.
CCS Project- Carbon Capture Storage project, which is an eco friendly energy utilisation, is one of many big movements that are carried out in Australia. Youth should be aware of such new technologies and support so as to start with such initiatives.
On School and Institutional level bicycle should be the only two-wheeler that should be allowed for the students. Thus, it would minimize the fuel use and also cut down the pollution. The young generation must be conscious of judicious use of energy and should go for renewable resources. Every individual should live life not at an expense of future generation and should conserve the resources for the coming age. Sustainable development is a movement and holds lot of opportunities. It’s a vast area of research and development, which has to be persevered by the peer. Social to environment every area has to be covered by the youth for the total impact in the cycle.
To conclude, Youth has to change their measuring index from Gross National Product to Gross National Happiness as per the Bhutanese ethic.Community living & local skill based work should be promoted and youth can carry this well by volunteering such causes and activities. The focus should be clear that whatever is being done should be in unison. Individual must obtain the ‘Gandhi’ philosophy of Self Reliance. The preferment of cottage industry and formation of Institution where practical knowledge and learning is imparted is the necessity of present. Such movement are required by youth, which can create and spread the mass awareness regarding the growing sensitive issues. If individual could prepare at least one student, who cannot avail education then that again adds to the productivity of the country’s development. Intangible and tangible areas both have to be coordinated and bargained

Kutchi Metal bells...

Desert to Desert Jaipur to Kutch Passage-

Travelling from one desert to the neighboring desert was never thought to be complete   ecstasy of my new indulgence. 

My Kutchhi skill route….

Sibilants- the whispering sound, sounds with nomadic mode of life.

Located in western most tip of India, in the state of Gujarat, Kutch is an land where diverse ancient cultures from across the globe, survive in their original form even today. Kutch a land of culture, beautifully colored with its crafts and colorful people and architecture adds life to the rustic desert.

On one hand people from mainland India came to Kutch and on the other travellers, invaders came from mainland Sindh, Pakistan, Persian, Africa, Central Asia, and Europe among others

Mainly cattle herders came with their kabila to settle in this region to seek peace. With them the culture, music, and various crafts came, which led to an amalgamation of diverse cultures in the region. One of the most astounding craft was metal bells.

Bell or ‘Ghantadi’ or called in Kutch language is a design with purpose, a solution and a utility. These bells are aesthetically appealing, Acoustic and also a tool of communication which is in practice since many decades among the cattle herders or ‘maldharis’. The bell form, look, appeal all is so designed perfectly in the right taste and perfect context. This craft is impeccable example of sustainable crafts. The practice is ecofriendly and the product can be recycled. It utilizes the metal scraps and minimizes the extravagant raw material use. In the minimal tools and equipment’s and the judicious use of every material this crafts really makes it a patented practice, authentic and genuine design gifted by our ancestors that has been balanced by generation to generation because of its cultural context and also the market demand. It should be preserved and persevere in its traditional essence and contemporary taste and with this purpose I am discovering the new avenues and aspirations in this craft as a diploma intern at ‘Khamir ‘ (www.khamir.org) 

Metal bells traditionally made in Sindh, which is now in Pakistan but this craft is happening in majority in few parts of Kutch and are coming since satyuga. Jura is a place which has the maximum number of family units practicing this craft, followed by Nirona, Bhuj and Nakhatrana. This craft is practiced by the Lohar (blacksmith) caste and is a Muslim community. Entire family is often involved in the process with men performing tasks of shaping the bells setting the sound on it and firing the bells. Women and children involved in bells coating and clay covering. In a family, the mystery of setting the sound notes is often mastered by the eldest and the oldest craftsman. 

I met two of the maldhari men name ‘Kan Singh P Soda Darbar’ & ‘Umar Ramju’ from Village near Jura, who gave me quite a lot of information on bells name and its use. Even the elder craftsmen like Haji kaka and Abdullah Satar bhai helped me with my research for bells history. So I am going to share all the informations through this writing.

‘Sambhar’, ‘Kharki’, ‘dambro’, ‘Chang’, ‘Dokkad’ or ‘Kharua’ in kutchi are many names which bears a common meaning that is ‘Parcel’ or ‘Gift’ or ‘Token’ and even ‘bell name.’

This the Maldharis used as a token or memories for gifting their brethren, when they used to shift their base.

‘Sambhar’ was also supposed to be the identity for the cattle. When any among the cattle was lost the owner was asked for the type of ‘sambhar’ it was wearing and that’s how they traced the lost member.

Earlier Maldharis were travellers. Travelling from place to place has given the bells many identity and names and that is how you find various names of bells.

The traditional names of bells were varying from region to region in kutch. If we go to Jura, Nirona side the history will tell that they were local currency equivalents for which the bells could be bought at the same time. Chota paila, paila, dingla, do dingla were the names of the bells rather than the 0, 1, 2, 3…, 13 numerification of bells. Therefore, with the passing time the identity of bells changed.

These bells Gujarati language is called ‘tokri’.

Small bells are called ‘mathari’ in kutchi which are generally 1”, 2” and 2 and half inches.

3”-7” bells are called ‘mathar’ which means big in kutchi.

Small bells were used more creatively by putting extra ‘chawk, tadka’ in it as per the maldhari. Small ‘ghunguru’ or metal bells and coins were stitched to the leather strap with small grains or articles stuffing in it that made ‘mur mur’ and ‘chan chan’ sound.

Every owner used the bells in their own creative and traditional ways. One more example of it can be seen in the bells with colorful ceramic beads pour in thread.

Bells (8”-11” bells) that sound sweet are called ‘chada’ which means sweet voice and the bells which sound heavy and loud are called ‘dokkad’ which means double sound.

Bells (12”-15”) are called ‘Chadak’ that means thick voice.

Bells (13”-15”) are called ‘ghant’ which makes mix of both sweet and loud sound.

Generally around six notes are possible on single bell. The bells are categorized on the basis of the sound they make and even the size. However Maldhar has their own way of distinguishing the bells. Bells with sweeter sound are ‘Kharua’ means sweet sound and is compared to cuckoo’s voice in contrast to this bells with loud and heavy sound called ‘dokkad’ means harsh sound and is compared to crow voice

The 13” bell is used for the cattle herd leader who leads the herd while home coming after grazing.

Bells from size 4-6 are used in cows and buffaloes that are generally left behind in the herd, so that when they don’t come back in time the sound of the bell could help in locating them and thus avoiding any kind of accident or missing. 2-3 size bells are used in goats, sheep and camels. 

The bells were really powerful, successful and peaceful way of communication in the older times. However, sadly this culture is disappearing as the big size bells are really expensive. The single 13 size bell can cost anywhere between 500-700rs and the bell last for 5-6 years because of rain and extreme weather conditions it corrodes faster, thus decreasing its life span.

In each size five to six different sound notes can be made which makes no two bell sounds alike and thus make every cattle leader’s identity different and avoids confusion. The bells can be constructively divided into 9 elemental. These are Yoke (from which bells are suspended), Crown (Hanging ring), Head, Shoulder, Waist, Sound Ring, Lip, Mouth, and Clapper. Metal bell craft requires highly refined skills and combined family inputs. Artisans dexterously hand set each bell’s unique tone (vaajji) with a tool called an ekalavai, a skill these Kachchh bell makers have mastered over the years.  The quality of a bell’s tone is a reflection of the artisan’s skill and three factors: the size and shape of the bell’s body; the size and shape of the ringer and the shape and curvature of the bell’s lower rim.

I am working with one unit in Jura from last two months and the unit is headed by Haji Valimamad Suleman Luhar (in photo), under whom his son Kasam Valimamad Luhar and brother in law Amir Hamja Alibhai Luhar works. Haji kaka is the oldest craftsman in this metal bells craft and is the master person for giving sound notes on bells. His bells are distinct for its sound. Hamja bhai is really creative in his ideas and are always ready to work for unconventional ideas and design. I have developed many new finishes on bells some are natural and some applied finishes.

Abdullah Satar Sumar Luhar Jura Wallah Bhai shared really interesting piece of information with me few days back. When he was only 12 years old he joined his family culture of making bells but however his elder brother and father were already into the bells production so he was given the task of assisting with tea and snacks service and even selling the bells in villages.He still remembers carrying a jute bag full of all sizes of bells and going to Jura, Bhuj market and maldhari’s place but contrary to present times the number of bells produced by the whole community in a year then is equivalent to number of bells produced in a day in present time.  Seeing his passion for going into villages for trade got him the award of most prestigious ‘Kamladevi award at the age of 14 only. Now he is 32 years old and has trained his entire brother who are now sharing the same work shed.

This I am talking about some 10 to 12 years back when bells were only used for cattle but now bells are used in a more decorative and creative way and have worldwide customers.

From his memories, 11” bell was called ‘patayi wale’ which carried 1 kilo Grains in it and in ‘Vorah’ market, Bhuj and still this is practiced. 8” bell was called ‘payele wale’ which means it carries 250gms of grain in it. So, it was like measuring bowl too.

Now coming to the raw materials lots have changed so far. The craft that was pure form of recycle now also rely on fresh mild sheet rolls. However, in the ancient time the Iron sheets was available in its pure (wrought iron) form that is why the bell used to withstand extreme weather and still survived by many ages but in present time sheets which are available are mild steel which has a high corrosion rate because of its high carbon content.

Bells surface was and is ornamented traditionally by engraving surface technique and beautifully using the rivets joinery.  To create elemental surface decoration on the head,  the small cap with triangular pattern rim is fixed before the crown  cap is fixed on the main cap (head) of the shoulder and which gets traditionally welded due to the coating and chemical reaction in the kiln. Thus adhering permanently to the head and beautifies the elemental detailing at the same time.

The most interesting and core essence of the craft is its rustic look surface, the traditional welding which takes place in joining parts of the bells .

Within each bells shape and rims of the bells can vary and could be designed acoustic. Some are conical, straight edge, undulating pattern and even in multiple rows of undulating lines. Sometime, the rims are reinforced or made heavier by adding thin strips of metal to create a new sound variation. The sonoric effect of bell is mainly because of its constituent element in which each element plays a significant role. Copper, Brass and Iron metal combination creates the whole chemistry of sound.

They also make bell with four sides with each side of different gauge. These bells don’t bear a sound ring but their sides are not completely joined to the other side of the sheet. The side is joined from the starting point to the mid-point and from the mid-point to the end point of the side is kept unwelded. Thus the four sides creates four different sound when hits by the mallet or attached clapper.

Dhamal- A leather hand blower which was used traditionally in Sindh but this culture of using dhamal died after battery operated blowers came in market which was cheaply available. Still, in Bhuj roadside you might find it by chance but only in a unit which is very small and works for sharpening agriculture tools. In Jura I found a huge dhamal which was kept as a showpiece only, not workable. Although, it involves physical labour and occupies a labour too. However, the battery operated blower solves the above mentioned issues.

The metal bells artisans’ sole dependency is on their skill craft and this is their livelihood source. Their product ranges from Bells from 0-15 size bells, Jhoomers or wind chimes and Morchang ‘musical instrument’ and this are in continuous demand in the export market and exhibitions stalls.

These artisans perceive education as an enhancement for craft skills and promotions and viewed it as surety for job. Thus, they insist the younger generation to have basic education as well learning the traditional metal bell skills at the same time. Literacy rate in this craft is around 48% and among which 13% are functional literate. They response to operations through bank seems to be comfortable.

Their market preference are mainly trader and shares 78% on the total whereas 6% each for Haat mela, Community, Entrepreneurs, and others. There was a time when the nomads of Sindh were the major buyers of metal bells but presently the whole craft has survived on traders. With the globalization and market shifts they are willing to change design and want to make new products through the same traditional process. As this crafts have got a good exposure from tourist market, Exhibitions and direct buyers they have also developed sense of costing and pricing and also they have understood the value of their skills. In contradiction to this exposure it has done much harm than good to the existing practice. As with the little knowledge and attractive returns from the temporary market they try to gain more and charge the same to the sustained domestic market or say local market thereby shrinking the market possibilities and cutting down the potential buyers. To make this crafts sustainable the market should be targeted rationally. They cannot price the product same for tourist market and local market and these understanding are missing in the aggressive and adamant craftsmen of today. They need to understand their roots, values, quality, precision and the ethos of their skills for which they were responsible once.

To give society the best work that has the same appreciation as earlier times. But to despair it is degrading. To produce more and more bells in a day quality has been compromised and the sound. To earn quick money product price fluctuates and always soars high. They should not charge less but also not unexpectedly high. The reasonable and the best price should be the market skills they need to be trained with.

                                                                                                                

P.S: The above article is from my research and design development project in metal bells at Khamir. The article is just a portion of the metal bell document.

Faces of huts:

I am going to write about those huts in which I lived and have felt with my senses.

To begin with…ever since I was a child, I dream of living in mud house, tree house and use to depict that look and feel in my doll house.I still remember Igloo (housing structure in Polar Regions or say ice house), kind of structure which my brother introduced to me when I was in nursery who was one year older than me. He used to tie two ends of the long bed sheet to the desert cooler and once it was switched on and all the sides of bed sheet was closed with the help of  pillows, the air used to blow the sheet and formed enclosed structure . That was a paradise. We used to play in that and for us that was our real home. Further, variations of it were seen when we were growing up. Three- four dining chairs were kept one after the other and then they were covered from the top by bed sheet. Bed sheet formed the roof and the back rest of chair formed the walls. Chairs one after other used to form different cells for room. At that age our body was so small that such customize cell also felt to be bigger. After this phase came the other phase.

I remember once there was a heavy wind because of which our huge mango tree fell on the ground within our house boundary and that was fun and it happened during vacation time. It had fell in such a manner that it formed two huge rooms and was like leaf hut.

All the children of our society had a great time for a week until the leaves wore out.
We used to eat, sleep and play in that leafy hut from morning till evening.

Furthermore, when my brother, sister grew older and I still could not give up my urge of playing house-house game, I made friends from my neighborhood and  every evening we used to go to barren land nearby our house locality on which few cement rings were lying which was used to make wells.

We, were three of us and each ring was occupied by each of us and for us that ring was our house and we used to invite other children to our place for food which was wild flowers, leave and sands.. ha ha ha

And no more than that, for us that was rice, chapatti and vegetables.

Childhood is always a memory, I thank God it is still sharp and fondly expanded in me and my dementic mind will never forget it.

Gone are those days and time swept by, and then I came to Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, a place I had never thought it would offer me an opportunity for turning my dream into reality.

In our Ngo training, I got to live in different huts in different places and they were made differently but yet so similar.

So true, our nature is the best example of unity in diversity.

Starting with Aruvacode, a small settlement in hill top of Kerala, near Thrissur, where I did 15 days of my Ngo training in terracotta craft. I remember it was rainy afternoon in Aruvacode when I reached and stepped into Jinan’s place which was small and a modern version of hut. My eyes were only on the elemental detailing of the house.

From there I went to Rajni’s place where I lived for seven days. It’s so true, how sudden your dream comes true that you don’t even get to realize it.It was made up of brick structure on to which mud was plated and rooms were separated by half walls. Roof was made up of wooden log structure on to which thikris, (terracotta curvilinear structure) was placed.

The most striking and logical use was of transparent glass I saw there.It was smartly inserted in place of thikiris with the column support of wood log. Thikri roofing are done on wooden grid structure, wood logs are placed in vertical and horizontal alignment and form column and rows.

Glass plate helped sunlight to pass through and thus cut the use of power during the day time and brings natural warmth inside the house.

Our villages knowingly and unknowingly lived in green ways and are so compatible with nature. However situation contradicts from place to place.

Moving to Baswa, a Kasbah in Rajasthan known for its terracotta cluster.

Here, I find hut, houses made of brick, stone and cement. Since, It was a Kasbah (settlement of banjarans and people from different places), people dwelled in a house that was economical to them.

I really liked the way they make the structure for the mud house and every Diwali you will get to see renovation of their mud house and the way they repair the damaged part of the house.

It is the best example of utilizing the terracotta waste. They reuse the broken garden pots and stack them to form pillars for the structure and after forming the skeleton of the house, mud are thrown uniformly till it cover up the whole structure and forms wall. It is left to solidify and onto that cow dung is plated uniformly as a sacred ritual. Roofing is done by thikris and hays & straws. For ventilation, kitchen chimney and room’s window, hollow garden pot to which you can see through are used, must say great minds.

In kitchen you will see smart use of pots for hanging spoons and other accessories. There drainage is also well designed but it limits to a place where whole household waste coagulates though far from house but are prone to diseases.

Now coming to Orissa- a state I was born in, in this place bamboo is used as foundation for the skeleton structure of huts and they are sandwiched by mud and are left until they solidify, here also huts are plated by cow dung. Surface decorations are done by gheru & rice paste in traditional motif and designs.

New addition to the article-

Now after coming to Kutch I am like getting confused by so many different kinds of huts and all of them so interesting. I really like Bhunga and dream of having two to three bhungas in my own house. Since I am adding to this old post of mine after seeing bhunga’s of Kutch. I will import more detail on it from:
http://www.vskgujarat.com/like_minded_organization/seva_bharti_bhunga.htm as I feel it is clearly articulated here.

Few days back I was going through north eastern huts where all tribes or say caste is having a different style of hut and that are their identity like earlier in many places the safa or different kind of topi were used to determine the position of a person professionally as well caste wise. The same way their huts do the job.

However, huts are now a days, not area specific but demand and need specific. You may find various design of hut in same place. Everything is getting customized and available with time, so are the huts.

But contradiction is traditions are preserved and persevere.

Article by

Subrata Pandey

BODY-HEART CHEMISTRY

BODY-HEART CHEMISTRY

Article by Subrata Pandey

Resource: rajasthan patrika 2^nd dec 07

Nirogdham ( rainy season sl.no: 1988, Magazine’s year 10 , sl no: 3)

Kayachikitsa by kaviraj ramraksh pathak ayurvedachrya

Dr. B.K Pandey, Ayurveda specialist ( Guidance)

INTRODUCTION

Photo credits to organicindia.com

Ayurveda believes wath( air,vayu ), peet(bile), kaf(cough) this is in the balance amount are considered as dhatus(minerals) in our body and imbalance of any of this three becomes doshas
( doshas here means the wrong which is responsible for illness and diseases) in our body.

The whole body –heart –soul chemistry foundation is on this dhatus/doshas.

It is quite interesting to know that wath, peet, kaf this three in balanced state are called dhatus which results in arogya and healthy and happy life and in imbalanced state doshas that results in illness and unhealthy, unhappy life. So it is really very important to know key to healthy, happy and arogya life by knowing which doshas we have. I hope this article will help you in finding you your doshas and key to your living life.

WHAT IS HEALTH AND HEALTHY LIFE?

To know what is health and healthy life we have to know the composition of our body which is responsible for health.

There are total thirteen Agnis which compose the body. Now we will learn about those thirteen Agnis:

• Three doshas: waatagni ( air), peetagni (bile), kafagni (cough);
• Three excreation doshas : purishagni ( latrine), mutragni( toilet), swedagni( paseena, sweat)
• 7 dhatus i.e rasagni (nectar), rhaktagni ( blood), asthiagni (bone), maansagni ( flesh), shukragni  (semen), majjagni (muscles), medagni ( fat)

Bhautikagniya are the five basic elements:

• Panch tanmatras or the five basic elements i.e. Earth ( prithvi), water ( jala), fire ( teja), air (vayu) and sound (shabda); 

photo credits to naturallygreen.files

All this agnis in there balanced state in the body is the key to healthy body and disturbance or imbalance in any of this agnis gives birth to illness and diseases or say results in unhealthy body.

In this explanation of health and healthy life wath, peet, kafa is mentioned at first as this three determines the true state of the body. To keep proper care of the health and strengthening the immune system it is very important and necessary to keep yourself aware and curious for learning and acquiring knowledge about your body and you.

It is amazing to know Body-Heart where illness, diseases, unhealthy and unhappiness dwells at that same place healthy, happiness, love dwells.

It is the body and heart that determines the state if it is unhealthy or healthy. The symptoms are reflected through the body and heart.

Physical illness is responsible because of disturbances in Agnis or dhatus which results in doshas and mental illness is due to raja
( menstrual/ period/discharge related) and tama( unhealthy eating habbits and behaviour) mental Doshas.

WATH, PEET, KAF:

Body’s three doshas which is also called treedoshas is if calm and in peace state then they are called dhatus because that forms the body and imbalanced, disturbed state is called doshas that gives birth to illness or unhealthy life.

Wath ( vayu/ Air) : Nature: sheetal ( cool), rhuka ( dry), shukshm ( small), chanchal (unstable ), karkash
( harsh), halka( light)
Nature which is very similar to Air and the opposite of this nature which are ushna (hot), snigd ( oily, smooth), bhari( heavy), sthul ( fat ), sthir ( stable ), soumya ( soft ); all this destroys the wath.

Peet ( bile) : Nature: snehyukta ( kind ), garam ( hot), tishkna ( sharp ), dravya (material ), amal ( sour ), sir
( head), and katu (harsh ),.

Nature which is opposite to it like snig ( oily/smooth), sheetal ( cool), mridu ( soft ), madhur ( sweet), sthir 
( stable ), all this is responsible in destroying or minimizing peet.

Kafa ( cough): Nature: bhari ( heavy), sheetal ( cool), mridu ( soft ), snig ( oily/smooth), madhur( sweet), chipakne wale ( sticky)

Nature opposite of which is responsible in its destruction or minimization of kafa are halka ( light), ushna
( hot/warm), tishkna ( sharp), rhuka( dry), katu ( harsh/cruel), chanchal (unstable ), wishad( unhappiness),

Any nature among all this above mentioned nature of this three doshas if prevails in body for a longer period of time and in excess amount results in unhealthiness. And to recover from this unhealthiness the opposite nature are used or practiced.

Extreme of anything is never good. And extreme is responsible for unhappiness.

For properly understanding wath, peet, kafa we have to understand rasas which was mentioned in Agnis, because rasas are responsible in aggravating or calming this doshas.

RASAS: According to Ayurveda and in this article the rasa which is being talked about is the rasas which is tasted by our tounge. But rasas are also considered in other aspects and in total there are 63 rasas but here 


Ayurveda briefly and broadly discuss the 6 main rasas

1. madhur ( meetha/sweet)
2. aml ( khatta/ sour)
3. lavan ( namkin/salty)
4. katu ( kadva/bitter)
5. tit ( charpara/ chilly)
6. kashaya ( kasaila/bitter)

How this rasas are related to doshas:

Madhur ( sweet), aml ( sour), and lavan(salty) rasa calms down the wath doshas.

Kasaya( bitter), madhur( sweet), tikht ( chilly) rasa calms down peet doshas.

Katu ( bitter), tikhta (chilly), kashaya(bitter) rasa calms down kafa doshas.

Rasas which calms down kafa doshas aggravate wath doshas and rasas which calms down wath doshas aggravate kafa doshas. And peeta doshas get aggravated due to the rasas of watha and kafa doshas both i.e. katu ( bitter), aml ( sour), lavan ( salty).

These rasas are also related to pancmahabhut that is five basic elements which is mentioned earlier.

Affect of Rasas:

1.Madhur Rasa – water and earth gives birth to this Madhur rasa and kafa doshas are also born because of water and earth. Thus excess of madhur rasa results in kafa doshas.

2.Aml Rasa – this rasa along with earth aggravates kafa doshas and along with fire aggravates peeta doshas by increasing bile in the body.

3.Lavan Rasa – this rasa along with water aggravates kafa doshas and along with fire aggravates peeta doshas.

4.Katu Rasa – along with air aggravates waat doshas and along with fire aggravates peeta doshas.

5.Thikta Rasa – along withair and sky this aggravates waat doshas.

6.Kashaya Rasa – along with air it aggravates waat doshas.

Effect of Rasas:

1.Madhur Rasa calms down peeta Doshas

2.Aml Rasa calms down waat Doshas

3.Lavan Rasa calms down waat Doshas

4.Katu Rasa calms down kafa Doshas

5.Thikta Rasa calms down kafa and peeta Doshas

6.Kashaya Rasa calms down kafa and peeta Doshas.

This whole article is scientific and is completely Ayurveda and most of the facts are directly translated from Shushrut Shahinta and Sharghandhar Sahinta.

So after knowing about the whole Rasa , five basic elements and all the agnis relationship with one another and the way they give birth to doshas , we got to know that the rasa to which we are addicted and whose excess intake results in specific Doshas could be minimized by the intake of Rasas of opposite nature and minimizing the intake of that particular Rasas to which one is addicted. So balancing the body composition by knowing its doshas it is easy to keep you healthy and fit.

Now we will learn to identify Doshas and its symptoms.

Waat:

Physical Symptoms:

• thin, do not gain weight easily
• height is more than average or less than average
• thin neck and thin hair
• physical energy too much or too less
• appetite increase and decrease, not stable
• complain of constipation
• Dry skin
• Cold hands and feet
• Insomnia
• Warm weather is favorable and good

Mental symptoms:

• Creative and dream a lot, imaginative
• Active and alert
• Easily learn and forget
• Tension, suspicious, and insecure
• Ever ready and active
• Irregular lifestyle
• Colourful

Always remember:

• Always be determined and say “ everything is good and fine and there is no need to worry about anything”
• Meditation will help in keeping you rooted to earth
• Include your desirable activity or hobby in your daily routine and behavior.

Peeta

Physical symptoms:

• Average height and body build up, easily gain and loose weight
• Normal height
• Sharp features
• High energy level
• High appetite
• Strong digestion but sometime constipation
• Pinky, oily skin and eyes are bulged in
• Heavy and easy sweat
• Winter weather is favorable and summer is not favorable

Mental symtoms:

• Determined
• Sharp tongue
• Curious and Inquisitive
• Leadership
• Complicated
• Easily tempered and take tesion
• Easily become sad
• If don’t get food then also they get easily upset and angry
• Stubborn
• Bold and competitive

Always remember:

• Always say “ I am giving my best and will do my best rest everything is on God”;
• Regular meditation for controlling anger and doing justice
• Avoid criticizing and accept and learn good things

Kafa

Physical symptoms:

· Easily gain weight but hard to loose

· Small and fat or good height and healthy build up

· Dense hair and thick neck

· Powerful and capable

· Weak digestive system, feel heavy after having food

· Regular excretion system

· Soft, yellowish and oily skin

· Easily have a deep sleep

· Easily catch cold

· Hot weather favorable

Mental symptoms:

· Kind and heartily

· Peaceful

· Slow and peaceful lifestyle

· Don’t learn easily but good memory

· Sentimental and lovable

· Organized

· Committed to self and family

· Help in progress of others

· Good listener and people like talking and sharing there feelings with them

· Loyal

Always remember:

· Always say with full determination and confidence” present is the only truth”

· To lessen emotions and disappointment meditation is necessary

· Regular exercise

Now after carefully going through this article, get to know your doshas and start living your life by balancing your doshas.

For balancing the doshas you have to include the rasas which is opposite to the nature of your doshas and thus minimizing your doshas and balancing your life.