Imagine a day when you could walk through endless greenery with the wind in your face and your appetite calling for some millet dosa served hot while you watch people paint, dance, make pots, and exhibit some of their excellent talents while you relax under a 150 year old tree. This is not a page from a fiction novel. This and so much more took place at Bhoomi Habba at Visthar in Kothanur last weekend.
Inaugurated by Indian musician, Grammy Award winner and conservationist Ricky Kej, the daylong festival of the earth featured events and stalls – all with one message – to encourage people to save the earth and preserve it for generations to come.
David Selvaraj, founder of Visthar, shares what the festival is all about. “Formerly known as Shanthi Habba, Bhoomi Habba is in its 11th edition. The earth is common to all and it becomes our responsibility to preserve this heritage. We challenge environmental issues, expose them and do our best to make the earth more worthy of giving to our future generations.”
Spread across the vast venue were dozens of stalls where storytellers brought their craft to life, cartoonists sketched and a host of theatre presentations and musicians showcased their work. Apart from the entertainment, visitors also got to learn at the soil exhibitions as well as choose from the array of shops selling organic soaps, bamboo toothbrushes, terracotta accessories, clothing and food.
The celebration welcomed everyone to participate in the bigger cause. Priya, an architect and a mother, says: “They have something for everyone. Stuff like this isn’t available everywhere. The campus makes everything beautiful. Despite the rain, people seem to be enjoying the weather and being one with nature.”
The day saw people of all ages and walks of life turn into earth enthusiasts. Hamina Sait, a businesswoman and a mother of two, says: “This is our third visit to the Habba and the place is just great as we live in the city and hardly get to see a festival like this. Each time we’re here, we make sure we explore new things, meet lovely people and have a beautiful day. My children love coming here every year.”
One of the highlights of the day was a doll exhibition held by Francesca, a nurse by profession and a passionate doll maker. Originally from Belgium, she settled in India 45 years ago and makes dolls depicting people and events she has come across over the years.
“I worked in a village for a while and was fascinated by their lives of simplicity. I depict village life through my dolls showcasing situations that could make one happy, sad or even angry.” She asks various people to write poems for each of the dolls and exhibits them along with her art.
