Reviving Janapada: A Rainy Celebration of Karnataka’s Cultural Heritage at The Dome Retreat

Reviving Janapada: A Rainy Celebration of Karnataka’s Cultural Heritage at The Dome Retreat

Celebrating Karnataka’s Rich Heritage

In the midst of the bustling city life, it’s a pity that many have overlooked the beautiful art form of janapada. This rich cultural heritage is deeply rooted in Karnataka, which proudly claims eight Jnanapeeta Prashasti winners in Kannada literature. To celebrate and revive this tradition, my friend Raju and I took charge and organized a cultural folk gathering called “Bindu” at The Dome Retreat in Bangalore. “Bindu” marked the beginning and was envisioned as the inaugural program to kick-start our resort experience, setting the tone for what The Dome Retreat (TDR) represents.

Aligning with Sustainability

Bindu wasn’t just a showcase of janapada’s beauty – it was aligned with our resort’s core concept of sustainability. We meticulously planned a drama that traced the evolution of the universe, earth, and humanity, highlighting humanity’s shift from living in harmony with nature to exploiting it. The drama concluded with a powerful message advocating for a better, sustainable, and regenerative world. This initiative was our way of emphasizing the importance of sustainability to our guests, with the unwavering intention of inspiring a collective effort towards a more harmonious relationship with nature.

Preparation Amidst Challenges

A month ago, at our unique venue, The Dome Retreat (TDR), a venture with friends, we began preparations for an event with an unyielding focus on janapada, the folklore of Karnataka. TDR, our stunning Ecology Dome resort in Bangalore, is known for its eco-friendliness and comfortable accommodations, ensuring our guests a luxurious and restful stay. Despite any doubts about how our diverse crowd would respond to this folklore event, Raju and I were resolute that this was something we had to do. We were propelled by the spirit of the song “Ede Tumbi Haadidenu” by Mysore Ananthaswamy, whose powerful line says, “Singing is an inevitable karma for me…I don’t care if anyone closes their ears.” This event was a unique opportunity for our guests to experience the rich cultural heritage of Karnataka in a sustainable and eco-friendly setting.

Bringing “Bindu” to Life

Raju and I brainstormed the idea of a play or drama and named it “Bindu,” symbolizing the starting point. The play was based on the evolution of the universe, earth, and man. It depicted how man once lived harmoniously with nature, then exploited it, leading to its destruction. We concluded with a resounding message advocating for a better, sustainable, and regenerative world. The scripting process was woven with relevant folk songs, making it even more engaging. Although my cousin Kumar had intended to help with the script, Raju and I were relentless in our pursuit and worked on it whenever we could find the time.

Overcoming Adversity on Event Day

Meanwhile, Mahesh, a local folk artist, played a significant role in the main folk event. His infectious enthusiasm and invaluable contribution were instrumental. Despite the program being postponed twice for what seemed like trivial reasons, I approached every event with a determined spirit, a trait I developed during college. I gave my all regardless of the obstacles. Raju and I shared this unwavering determination, as we were relentless in our pursuit and worked on the event whenever we could find the time.

As the date finally approached, the unexpected happened. The skies opened up, and it rained incessantly. Heavy showers threatened our plans nearly every day. Despite the weather, we finalized the date, and Mohan was expected to arrange the out door stage. Little did we know, the stage would be the least of our worries on the day of the function.

The Event Unfolds

Mahesh was getting ready with his team of musicians, singers, and an acoustic manager on one side, as they were regular part-time artists. We also realized that many in his squad were teachers and lecturers from various places in and around Devanahalli (near Bangalore airport). On the other hand, Raju and I had the challenging task of picking the team for the drama. The script was somewhat ready, but finding stage actors was a challenge. Little did I know that people in middle-age crisis are unprepared to open up on stage with their talent. I approached anyone with potential, meeting all of Tom, Dick, and Harry while they acted in a play. Initially, we thought of doing it with kids but realized that parents were not interested in the first place.

In the past, two of my cath lab technicians, Venkatesh (a good stage actor) and Kiran (an amateur), accepted roles. My sister Shylaja, an unused expert talent, was also roped in, and I never miss her presence on stage. My cousin Kumar agreed to act as well. Our steward at TDR Krishna, a surprising talent, also agreed to act. With her attentional voice, my sister got all her lines in the script right. I could get them all together only on the day of the event.

A Night to Remember

On the event day, I initially saw chaos as I tried to get everyone to act, like putting all the chickens in a basket. At last, after a free rehearsal, everyone got their act together, and Mahesh got his folk team set. As guests started arriving, the rain turned into a torrential downpour. Just when we thought things couldn’t get worse, the power went out, plunging the Dome Retreat into darkness. With the drenched stage, no lights, and guests waiting, we stood ready to face the challenge head-on. Despite the circumstances, there was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air, a testament to our unwavering passion for this event and our commitment to delivering a memorable experience to our valued guests.

Though guest attendance was lower due to the rain, the TDR team decided to hold the event in one of the dome-shaped gazebos with a generator as backup. The event started with low enthusiasm as Mahesh began his introduction to folk songs. As the songs started to echo, our spirits rose, and we saw the crowd enjoying themselves, one after the other. Songs like “Kodagana Koli Nungitha” by Santha Shishunala Sharifa were foot-tapping. “Ello Jogappa Ninna Aramane,” “Sojugada Sooju Mallige.” In between these songs, we started our play. As the play progressed, it showcased the gradual shift towards industrialization and modernization, highlighting the consequences of deforestation, pollution, and climate change. The drama’s climax presented a powerful message of hope and redemption, emphasizing the transition towards regenerative practices and sustainable living. Integrating traditional folk songs between scenes added a rich cultural texture, making the message resonate deeply with the audience. The play went very well, and we finished the act perfectly, concluding with a song summarizing the play to highlight “Elli Hodavo Kannige Kaanadadavo.”

Conversations during and after the event revealed a renewed appreciation for Karnataka’s cultural heritage and a heightened awareness of sustainability issues. Several guests expressed their admiration for the event’s seamless blend of entertainment and education, noting how it inspired them to reflect on their relationship with nature and consider more sustainable practices in their own lives. The event succeeded in not only entertaining the guests but also in planting seeds of environmental consciousness and cultural pride.

Conclusion: A Triumph of Spirit and Tradition

In the end, despite the challenges, Bindu was a resounding success. Our efforts to blend janapada with the concept of sustainability paid off, leaving our guests with an unforgettable experience. This event wasn’t just about reviving a forgotten art form; it was about reminding everyone of the importance of living harmoniously with nature. Our message was clear: by embracing our cultural heritage and prioritizing sustainability, we can inspire a collective effort towards a better, more harmonious world.

Future Plans for Promoting Janapada and Sustainability

Building on the success of the “Bindu” event, we at The Dome Retreat are committed to continuing our efforts to promote janapada and sustainability. Future plans include organizing regular cultural gatherings celebrating Karnataka’s folk traditions while educating attendees about environmental stewardship. We aim to collaborate with more local artists and sustainability experts to create workshops and interactive sessions that engage guests in hands-on learning experiences. We hope to inspire a more harmonious and environmentally conscious community by consistently integrating these themes into our events and initiatives.