October 12 (Dussera)
to October 17 (full moon), 2005, Van Vadi, Vaara
It was on an April morning, sitting around contentedly at Van
Vadi, that the idea first popped and gathered energy. In this rustic forest
setting in the foothills of the Sahyadris, ‘wave-lengths’ harmonized. The excitement
of anticipation mounted.
Our core needs are quite simple. We need nature, we need
each other, and we need to share our creative skills and energy. From this
uncomplicated understanding and spirit emerged the idea of the ‘skill-share’
community Van Utsav, gathering fresh enthusiasm as each new person was sounded.
A Yahoogroup site was started. (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/van-utsav/)
Keeping in touch, and sharing thoughts, the spark kindled. The word spread.
More joined in. As on
The Van Utsav gathering – to jointly celebrate and share – will be
over 6 days from Oct 12 to
A preparatory gathering for the October Utsav was held at Van Vadi
from July 11 to 13. Six participated in the consultation, and 9 pages of fairly
elaborate, work- related notes were posted at the Van-utsav Yahoo site. Also on
view at the site are the e-mails exchanged, a few photographs of Van Vadi, and
several ‘background’ document files. Those interested in joining the Utsav
should visit the site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/van-utsav/,
enlist as member, and find out what’s cooking.
It is necessary to inform all that there is no
electricity, no tapped water, no flush-toilet, and no phone at Van
Vadi. ‘Dormitory-style’ rustic accommodation and simple, vegetarian meals will
be arranged. (You are welcome to bring your own tent if you like.) One may add
that the forest will be lush, the streams still flowing, the birds singing, and
the night sky glorious! (Some mosquitoes though may still be lingering.)
The Utsav is attracting a number of people (including families)
whom you might like to meet! Many will have useful skills/knowledge to share.
Music, song, dance, play, arts, crafts, nature montages (with local natural
materials) … will be integral to the celebration. We plan to learn and
have fun. The kids, we trust, will have a great time!
We request at least one adult to accompany and take care of every
two children joining. We may also clarify that we welcome any
individuals/families who feel personally motivated to join us, rather than
those ‘delegated’ by any institution (school/NGO/ …)
‘Living in harmony with nature and fellow humans’ is the unifying
aspiration. Though discussions may touch on philosophy, politics, ethics, empowerment, … (whatever!), practice-oriented workshops are
preferred. These may be along any of the following broad (suggestive, not
exhaustive) themes: (i) ethical livelihoods and ‘earth-friendly’ lifestyles
(ii) ecological/organic farming, vegetable gardening and raising locally
suited, useful/fruit trees (iii) natural health and healing (iv) non-formal
creative learning/education (v) rainwater harvesting, soil conservation and
forest regeneration (vi) seeds/species exchange and local biodiversity
regeneration (vii) renewable energy for household/community needs (viii)
earth-friendly housing with local materials (ix) minimising/recycling ‘wastes’
(x) creating/producing various alternative/ethical products (xi) building
regional ‘work-nets’ of contacts relating to ‘eco-friendly’/ethical products
and services for widening collective outreach; (xii) evolving land-linked
alternative communities (Interactions at the Utsav will mainly be in English,
Marathi, and perhaps Hindi – as needed.)
It is proposed to start a community learning alliance as an
outcome of the Van Utsav. Open consultations and planning/preparation for this
will be held during the gathering. If you are interested, tell us. Preliminary
sharing of thoughts on this – and the related issue of evolving ‘alternative’
land-linked communities – has already started at the Van-utsav Yahoogroup site
mentioned above. (See both ‘Messages’ and ‘Files’.) You are welcome to join in.
At the October Utsav/festival, there will be no authority deciding
the agenda, and the schedule for each day will emerge in a liberal manner and
spirit of goodwill. Some workshops/events may unavoidably run parallel to each
other. A central display area will be available for participants to announce
relevant information of the workshop/activity/discussion s/he or they will be
holding. (Advance information may be posted at the Van-utsav Yahoogroup site.)
Local adivasis will share their knowledge of the forest and its useful species,
and of mud house construction. We plan to build a small house, and plant a
vegetable garden during the Utsav – with voluntary community labour! All
participants are requested to put in at least one hour of community labour
every morning. (Other activities/workshops will start after
We welcome all to share further thoughts and ideas, and
collaborate in the planning. Volunteers are also greatly needed to help with
preparatory work at the site, particularly during the week before the Utsav. To
start with, please confirm your participation. And send us your name/s and
contact information (address/phone/e-mail ID). We are requesting voluntary
contributions from participants. To cover basic costs (barely!) this may be Rs
600 per individual or Rs 1200 per family (upto 2 adults and 2 kids). If you can
give more, please do so! It would be most helpful. (Contributions may be
recorded at the Van-utsav Yahoogroup site.) We shall inform all by 20th
August – how, and to whom, this should be sent.