The Journey thus far……
For more than three decades, Rural Entrepreneurship for Art & Cultural Heritage has been engaged in the work of documentation and revitalization of the Cultural-Ecological practices of the Himalayan communities, with the firm belief that it is only by strengthening the cultural-codes at the grassroots and accentuating the practices that have sustained communities over the centuries can the environment be preserved.
Our initiatives are aimed at benefiting the most deprived sections in the remote communities, geared towards developing subaltern leadership. REACH is an apolitical, not for profit, voluntary organization. REACH is registered under societies’ Registration Act, 1860, 12 AA of Income Tax Act, 80-G of the Income Tax Act, Foreign Contribution Regulation Act,1976. Some of our Uttarakhand based initiatives include:
Virasat, in itself is an endeavor to widen markets for rural products in urban centres. The festival is now recognized as Afro-Asia’s biggest folklife & heritage festival.
Virasat, the festival, confers Virasat Samman on tradition bearers from Uttarakhand every year. These people are unsung heroes who receive financial support as well as a citation. The awardees include:
Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani - Tree Man, Environmentalist
Jataru Lal - Dhol Damau exponent
Ganga Ram - Wood Carving Artisian
Narendra Singh Negi - Noted Singer
Joshia Damayi - Folk Theatre Tradition Bearer
Bachan Deyi - Beda Folk Tradition Exponent
Ambedhkar Hastship Vikas Yojana – Self Help Groups of more than 1600 artisan families in the remote Himalayas are improving their livelihoods through design and marketing support for hand crafted goods.
We are working in the Pipalkoti Region – Districts Chamoli, Uttarkashi & Nandprayag for Ringal Craft, as well as Hanol Region - Jaunsar Bawar for Wood Carving craft. We have undertaken several Design Development Workshops and Marketing Initiatives and are now in the process of setting up a Facilitation Centre at Dehra Dun for further training and marketing.
Himalayii Naad – After a yearlong Workshop and documentation Dhol players from 6 valleys of Uttarakhand, Himalayii Naad, an orchestra of Folk instruments from the hills was formed under the direction of Sh. Narendra Singh Negi and Dr. D.R.Purohit. Our resource persons included. Dr. William S. Sax, Head, South Asia Institute, Hiedelberg University, D. Vijay Krishna, Music Professor at Kumaon University & Dr. Andrew B. Alter, Professor of Music at University of New Armidale, Australia.
Himalayii Naad is a self-help income generative initiative to generate economic means for tradition bearers. Our efforts have spawned three dhol-damaou orchestras. An enterprising dhol player has also set up a school to teach drums. This initiative has contributed in protecting the tradition of Dhol- Damau.
Chakravyuh – REACH was instrumental in reviving ancient religio-folk theatre form called Chakravyuh. We conducted workshops and encouraged villages to perform Chakravyuh with a Garhwali script and traditional costumes and music. Many Chakravyuh performances at Gandhari, Ukhimath, Kirtinagar etc. have been held.
Chakravyuh has also gone to National School of Drama Delhi and is one of the most popular performances from Uttarakhand on national platforms.
Documenting Heritage
Extensive documentation work includes:
Grammar & Folklore of Dhol-Damau, percussion instruments of the Himalayas.
Cultural- Ecological Practices of communities in Garhwal Temples of Garhwal.
Legend of Mahasu, Hanol
Heritage Sites of Doon Valley published in the form of a book- “Been There, Doon That?” by Department of Youth Affairs, Government of Uttarakhand.
Heritage Sites associated with Jim Corbett, published in the form of a book “ Walking with Corbett” which has several reprints to its credit.
Lore & Grammar of Radhakhandi Raas, an extinct dance tradition of Garhwal.
Rejuvenation of the Garhwali folk version of Chakravyuh in the Pandavani tradition.
Photo-Documentation of specimens of Garhwal School of Painting at Shri Guru Ram Rai Durbar, Dehradun.
Video- Documentation ( 16 continuous hours of footage ) on the Mahabharat of Garhwal.
Photo Documentation of the Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra by a team of 5 volunteers was done extensively during the last Jat. The project covered the Yatra along the 280 Km route.
Jewelry of Garhwal Himalayas.
Khari and Baithaki Holi Traditions of Kumaon.
Cultural Ecological Practices of Garhwal Himalayas like – Jal Jatras, Environment related Jagars, Hariyali Devi Festival, Chakravyuh Environmental Theatre etc.
Hanol Round Square Heritage Centre Project, Phase I for construction of a community cum Heritage Centre was started at Hanol, by school students from 36 nationalities.
Health & Hygiene Initiatives like conducting health camps and creating awareness through Kala Swadthya Jathas of folk artistes.
Albums – We have documented and then recorded albums such as – Jai Bhagwati Nanda, Suruli etc. that contain the essence of Uttarakhand’s folk. They are performed by relatively unknown artistes, without electronic sounds, and are yet quite popular.