|| the dedication read after recitation of a sutra, to direct the merit gained from the recitation to a certain person or group ||
"This is how to contemplate our conditioned existence in this fleeting world:
Like a tiny drop of dew, or a bubble floating in a stream;
Like a flash of lightning in a summer cloud,
Or a flickering lamp, an illusion, a phantom, or a dream.
So is all conditioned existence to be seen.”
- Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra THE DIAMOND SUTRA
SANGITA DEVI KATHIWADA FOUNDER AND PUBLISHER
EKŌ MAGAZINE
Dear Friends,
We are all diamonds in the rough, honed by exposure, tempered by experience.
Mindful. Meaningful. Living a life that resonates with one’s spirit is the essence of our sustainable living ethos at the House of Kathiwada.
Meaningful. Living a life that resonates with one’s spirit is the essence of our sustainable living ethos at the House of Kathiwada.
Ekō is an endeavour to share threads of my own insights with you. It encapsulates a sensibility of the subtler nuances of living optimally, born out of my own discoveries. In this edition, I am truly delighted to share a series of articles that echo the work done over the years, honing craftsmanship to fine art.
is an endeavour to share threads of my own insights with you. It encapsulates a sensibility of the subtler nuances of living optimally, born out of my own discoveries. In this edition, I am truly delighted to share a series of articles that echo the work done over the years, honing craftsmanship to fine art.
My early days designing jewellery are reflected in Aneka, a brand that I have a personal connection with. Our article on Ikat reflects the eternal love I have had for textiles, while the temples of Dungarpur remain a constant source of spiritual inspiration and guidance.
Forest foraging reflects our roots inKathiwada’s wilderness and my inner epicurean, while Bhutan is a hidden kingdom which speaks to my soul. Astad Deboo was a personal friend with whom I shared many joyful moments. A fantastic dancer and creative spirit who infused a sense of joie de vivre in every life that he touched.
foraging reflects our roots in Kathiwada’s wilderness and my inner epicurean, while Bhutan is a hidden kingdom which speaks to my soul. Astad Deboo was a personal friend with whom I shared many joyful moments. A fantastic dancer and creative spirit who infused a sense of joie de vivre in every life that he touched.
of most important elements of practicing sustainability is to create an
One of the most important elements of practicing sustainability, is to create an ecosystem of like-minded souls, who share your vision. I am deeply grateful to be able to share so many other noteworthy voices in this edition of Ekō, whose thoughts are closely aligned with our own.
Khun Krip Rojanastien is an eminent wellness exponent. Ajay Rawla has done incredible work to preserve tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Thomas Zacharias is an exquisite culinary innovator.
Krip Rojanastien is an eminent wellness exponent. Ajay Rawla has done incredible work to preserve tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Thomas Zacharias is an exquisite culinary innovator.
My son, Digvijay Sinh Kathiwada has done groundbreaking work to instil a new sense of life and renewed vision into our soil in Kathiwada. He not only upholds the legacy of the House of Kathiwada’s past but continues to renew it for generations to come.
son, Digvijay Sinh Kathiwada, has done groundbreaking work to instil a new sense of
Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors, editors, and publishers, and not of any other group or individual. All content is for educational, entertainment, and informational purposes only and is not to be taken as professional advice. While the information has been verified to the best of our capability, we cannot guarantee that there are no errors or mistakes.
08 Dance. Wherever You May Be.
A Personal Tribute to Astad
Deboo by Sangita Devi Kathiwada
14 Bass Line
Striking A High Note — The Indian Music Experience
18 The Wellness Quotient
An Interview with Krip Rojanastien – Chiva Som, Thailand & Zulal, Qatar
“Dance when you're broken open. Dance when you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.”
– Jalaluddin Rumi
Dramatic. Cataclysmic. Euphoric. A
tour de force.
A ne gentleman. A strong performer. And an incredible human being.
Astad Deboo was a true artist, one who unleashed the full force of his talent, combined with exquisite technique, to take the world by storm. He was also a very dear friend of mine.
Astad didn’t just embody “out of the box” thinking. He shifted paradigms.
He redefined (and some might say, rebirthed) classical Indian dance and took it to the world stage to create path-breaking performance art.
Was the world ready for it?
His audience was awe struck, many moved to tears with the wave of emotion that he evoked in the viewer. Each and every performance↗ brought the spirit of his inner child to life, mesmerizing them, charming them, overwhelming them.
I was completely amazed at his ability to keep his body supple till the last day of his life. But his humility and empathy were the most powerful qualities of all. A boundless love for young people mirrored his own child-like innocence and sweetness.
In 2009, Astad worked with young children from the Salaam Balak Trust to choreograph and perform in a piece called Breaking Boundaries, wherein he trained 14 street kids for six months. He mentored several hearing-impaired students to bring their originality to the fore. His purpose in life was to infuse creativity into the lives of young people from every background to reignite their love for life.
Dance. Wherever You May Be.
Photo Credit: Farrokh Chothia
Whenever he walked into a room, he always had a warm hug for everyone.
His unerring eye for detail always picked up the subtlest nuances of art and fashion, and he himself was known for the ethereal and bold style statements that he made with his own costumes on stage. I was always so delighted when he complimented me on my own sense of style, because I knew that it came
Our journey into the Trans-Himalayan region was an epic experience. We travelled to Ladakh under the aegis of an Indo-Italian cultural conclave at the palace in Leh, that brought together Ladakhi musicians and their instruments, with Italian cellists. An evocative jugalbandi of Ladakhi and Italian artistes, a surreal and moving experience at the roof of the world.
That was when I truly saw the incredible passion that fuelled his art. His heart was so open, his spirit was so young!
Dance. Wherever You May Be.
He was ready to embrace any and every experience or individual that he encountered. It opened my own heart to watch him as he engaged with the people we met, posed for candid photographs, or simply meditated. His aura seemed to expand against the dramatic backdrop, resonating with the stark beauty of the Ladakhi landscape.
Utterly sincere. Incredibly enthusiastic. Totally non-judgmental. An abundance of joy seemed to emanate from him. That’s precisely what kept him so alive, right until the end.
A trained Kathak and Kathakali dancer, Astad did the unthinkable and combined the two dance forms – breaking all boundaries. He would dance on the Great Wall of China, on the ramparts of an ancient fortress, or in the street.
He collaborated, instead of competing, giving birth to exquisite synergies. He danced with Thang Ta and choreographed for the Bolshoi Ballet. He partnered with Pink Floyd to rock the stage.
His brand of creativity was radical, completely unfettered by public opinion, and therein lay his prowess. In one of his works, Unbroken, Unbowed, he pays tribute to The Mahatma. His artistic vision encompassed a broad swathe of themes and motifs that ranged from spirituality to everyday life. A rebel – but with such grace, elegance and humility that the world fell at his feet.
When the global pandemic swept across the world, Astad felt the grief and pain of all his dancers. He supported several of his students and fellow performers through the Astad Deboo Foundation, but he was most concerned for his students and how they would weather this storm.
A few weeks before he passed away in December 2020, just as the pandemic hit its peak, he called me. It was a heartfelt conversation. Even though he’s no longer here with us in this life, Astad’s spirit for life and his sheer love for art leaves an indelible footprint.
A free spirit, dancing to the rhythm of the cosmos.
“Music fills the infinite between two souls. It cuts through the mists of our daily habits”
– Rabindranath Tagore
Music transcends borders. It breaks down the barriers of creed and culture, to speak to the spirit that lies in each of us.
Tagore was absolutely correct. Music puts the magic back into our life, lifts our spirit, and brings us back into our element.
Kandy to Kathmandu, music is a key element of South Asian culture. Whether it’s the deep resonance of the Bhutanese gong, the rhythmic strum of the veena, or the percussion beats tattooed on a ghatam, music has deep roots in the subcontinent’s cultural landscape.
When the Indian Music Experience↗ (better known as the IME) opened its doors in 2019 in the heart of Bangalore, it created a new degree of harmony under one roof. A traditional strong-hold of India’s Classical Carnatic musical
tradition, Bangalore was a natural choice. Located in JP Nagar, the IME traces the journey of music in the Indian subcontinent from its origins till today. A tough task, but one which it has achieved with ingenuity. Interactive displays, a vast array of listening experiences, and fantastic audio-visual effects bring the musical culture of this corner of the world to life, juxtaposing classical music with pop, film soundtracks with electronica, and tribal beats with jazz.
(And that’s just the overture, by the way.)
One of the things that the museum does best is to evoke the depth and overlap of music across
various aspects of society through the ages. From ancient kingdoms to the freedom struggle, the rise of motion pictures to the fusion movement, the IME effortlessly showcases the music’s penetration into our collective consciousness.
Founded by M.R. Jaishankar, who spearheads the Brigade Group in Bangalore, the seed of inspiration for the IME was sown when he visited the Experience Music Project in Seattle. When Jaishakar returned to Bangalore, he decided that Indian music deserved a museum that embraced the harmony and rhythms of the entire region under one roof, and so the Indian Music Experience was conceived. It soon took on a riff of its own.
India’s musical heritage is as old as time itself. A diverse cauldron of sounds and styles, beats and instruments. The IME’s main aim is to introduce India’s youth to this rich legacy, and to ensure that it endures over generations to come. Spread over 50,000 square feet, spanning four floors, the IME began to take shape. But its vision cuts through the walls of the museum. An array of exhibits on Google’s Arts and Culture Platform↗ takes Indian music to a global audience in a way that hasn’t been done before.
Beyond the exhibits, the IME documents and preserves various aspects of Indian music. From identifying the different gharanas to conserving musical instruments and traditions that are fast dying out, it plays an important role in the conservation of the region’s intangible cultural heritage.
Audience development is another key facet of the museum’s activity and it holds performances, workshops and cultural exchanges with other music programs across the world. Education and community outreach are key aspects of the museum’s work, to nurture and develop musical talent, particularly amongst those who may struggle to afford it.
Being Bangalore, there has to be a tech element, and the IME has aced it. Cutting-edge multimedia exhibits to online programs, the IME has harnessed technology to rejuvenate the entire music experience. And while the acoustics indoors are terrific, the outdoor Sound Garden is an equally delightful experience. From chimes to singing stones (reminiscent of the musical pillars and steps in Tamil Nadu’s ancient temples) the sound garden is full of serendipity, adding a delightful dimension to the visit.
The museum has another key mission and that is to bring the joy of music to children from socially disadvantaged and neurodivergent backgrounds.
Project Svaritha engages and educates children through music, offering them a much-needed creative outlet and empowering them to grow with music as a key element in their lives. The Yuva Culture program offers young students a fantastic opportunity to intern with the museum and learn about the importance of conservation of music and how to preserve intangible cultural heritage.
At the IME, music has no borders. It proactively seeks out and invites artistes, historians and conservationists to come and form their own residences within its premises, establishing a firm foundation for a co-creative ecosystem within the performing arts, not just in India, but across other parts of the world as well.
The IME is not just another museum. It’s a potent testament to the importance of rhythm in our lives. From the rhythms of our own breathing to the rhythms of the universe, it serves as a powerful reminder that we are all a part of something greater than ourselves. In harnessing the magic of music, the IME creates a structured platform to channel latent creativity into the world, curate a rich cultural tradition, and spark creative potential – a delicate balance that embodies the true meaning of harmony.
THE WELLNESS QUOTIENT
An Interview with Krip Rojanastien
Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som International Health Resorts Co. Ltd. Managing Chiva-Som Hua Hin, Thailand & Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, Qatar
In March 2024, Kathiwada City House in Mumbai, was deeply honoured to welcome Krip Rojanastien, and the team from Chiva-Som, a world’s pioneer in transformative wellness brand who manages in Thailand & Zulal
The House of Kathiwada and Chiva-Som collaborated to put together a complete immersion into Chiva-Som’s world of wellness - one which we believe has multiple synergies
Over a three-day period, we invited our members to experience Chiva-Som’s unique wellness services for themselves. From nutrition to massage, physiotherapy to counselling, both retreats offer clients an integrated approach to personal wellbeing.
Khun Krip sums it up perfectly when he says:
“The Indian market is a wonderful market for us. It has been very receptive to our offering, and Indian clients are coming more and more to our retreats. Indians have a strong Ayurvedic background and understanding of wellness, and therefore they’re very open to absorbing other forms of traditional medicines. All forms of traditional medicine have a lot of commonalities. They are all geared to achieve the same goals, so people who are into traditional medical know-how will find us quite easy to absorb.”
But before we begin, let’s set the context for you:
The whisper of the breeze, the soundtrack of the ocean. Set amid seven acres of lush greenery, Chiva-Som is a sanctuary on the shores of Hua Hin. One where your mind, body and spirit are nourished and nurtured to nd their optimal equilibrium.
Chiva-Som was Khun Krip’s father’s brainchild. When he was struggling with stress and an unhealthy lifestyle, Khun Krip turned to Chiva-Som and within its environs, he regained the balance that he was seeking in his life. He not only got fitter, but also became a marathon runner, turning his health around completely. It was a paradigm shifting moment in his life.
Wellness soon became his full-time passion, as he devotes his career to building pathbreaking wellness retreats that have a resounding ripple effect on the individual and society. Several years later, he made another groundbreaking decision. To step beyond Thai borders and open Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som, a holistic wellness destination in Qatar that is focused on indigenous
wellness practice called Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine (TAIM) and Family Wellness concept.
Set amid the shifting sand-dunes of the Qatari desert, Zulal Wellness Resort is an oasis for those who seek to achieve a deeper understanding of themselves across the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of their being. The resort lays emphasis on Family Wellness for those who seek to deepen their relationships and build a heightened degree of understanding and empathy within their immediate circle. It offers health and fitness guidance to get in shape, as well as emotional and spiritual guidance to calm the mind and rekindle your creativity.
As Krip Rojanastien deepened his own understanding of the various factors that impact the health and wellbeing of an individual, he realized that one’s immediate family and inner circle played a pivotal role in the process. If one member of the family is off kilter, it has an impact on everyone else. Therefore, it is key that the family dynamics are optimal, in order for each individual to thrive.
That’s when he realized the critical need for a wellness philosophy that went beyond the individual level and targeted various relationships within the immediate family circle. This concept underscores the wellness philosophy at Zulal.
In 2025, Chiva-Som celebrates three decades of pioneering transformative wellness, so we thought we’d take a moment to speak to Khun Krip and share a few of his insights on how to embrace a sustainable lifestyle with you.
Q 1: As Chiva-Som celebrates 30 years of pioneering wellness, can you tell us how you envision the balance between traditional medical sciences (Ayurveda, TCM, TAIM, TTM) and therapeutic innovations such as genomics? Do you believe that traditional medicine must stay rooted in its authentic traditions, or do you feel that there is scope for innovation and evolution within the traditional methods of practice?
It is important to retain the core principles of traditional medicine, but it is equally important to adapt it to our times to make it relevant to all. Traditional medicine usually focuses on holistic health intervention, which continues to be relevant to today’s world. There are so many techniques that have been developed in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for example, in several parts of the world. They have their own tweaks and techniques but are just as effective.
Clients want to understand science. Genomics, for example, is not therapeutic, but it helps us understand the client’s genetic profile. We always rely on a combination of western diagnostic skills and traditional therapies. The guest needs to be aware of the propensity for disease, and that’s what genomics can tell you. Be it diabetes, cancer or other diseases. Our programs train them to avert or minimize the risk.
Q2: Stress is tough on the immune system. Would you please share your personal insights on how one achieves the delicate balance of wellness in body, mind, soul and spirit as part of one’s everyday lifestyle?
There are many ways to address stress, which is one of the key elements of our wellness program today. So many people under stress seek our help. The aim is to attain a calm, focused and receptive mind, an illness-free body and a lively, engaging spirit on an ongoing basis. It is indeed a fine balance that one pursues for a lifetime. And getting as close to attaining it as possible will help deal with stress in the most natural and holistic way.
Q3: You mention that “wellness is more than the absence of illness. It is the process of attaining optimal physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.” Can you expand on how you go about achieving this at Chiva-Som? What would you say are three take-aways for a guest after a retreat at Chiva-Som?
Wellness is a lifestyle. It is not a vacation. It’s a new way of life. The experience is transformative.
Guests will experience firsthand the transformative power of healthy living and the positive impact it has on their overall wellbeing. They will leave Chiva-Som with the tools and knowledge to continue their wellness journey and our support long after the retreat ends.
Striking ‘The Perfect Balance’ of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing is probably impossible. That’s why striving for it through the wellness lifestyle is an endless journey, but an enjoyable one.
Q4. In a country like India, the growth in lifestyle non-communicable conditions e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular malfunction, etc. is very high. What are some of the key preventive measures that an individual can take to pre-empt the onset of such conditions?
Absolutely. The mind and the spirit are the key drivers of everyday life. The mind should be calm, focused and receptive. Emotions should be bright and engaging. Those would be the conditions you seek. Often, the tendency would be to do your best in the workplace and then switch off when you go home. You still have the duty and the challenge to be at your best for your family members. There’s no switching off; only winding down for bedtime.
The spirit and the mind have to be engaging. It is hard work, but it is not unpleasant. It is important to be receptive to different opinions and new ideas. You can go through the day and learn how to adapt to them. Not everyone is in agreement, and the environment is not always going to be ideal for achieving your goals and the challenges you have to overcome. And then, when you get home there are other challenges. The kid hasn’t done well in school, the report is not so great, the mother is upset. The mother’s relative is ill, she’s not in a good mood, she’s sad. You deal with these issues as you go, and you give it your best. You can only do that with a calm mind, and an engaging spirit.
Q5. Your approach to wellness is integrative, combining eastern practices with western therapies. To what extent do you feel (or not feel) that one’s spiritual orientation plays a role in one’s state of wellbeing?
It can only be through wellness, and what we call Family Wellness. We realize that many adults live with their children in a nuclear family structure. To introduce family wellness is to tackle these challenges head on. For the family to adopt the wellness values early on is essential, because the children are the future. For the family to embrace the right values and the right lifestyle is the key to their future.
It seems a shame that we spend time, effort and resources on raising a decent human-being to be productive, one who can contribute to society, and yet when he is around 40 years old, he becomes pre-diabetic. Later on, he becomes diabetic and dependent on medication. Children should adopt wellness values early in life. Wellness and sustainability should be a subject taught in schools, as part of proper curriculum. To instill such values in the children, you need a close collaboration between the parents and the schools.
Is what the school is instilling in the children being practiced at home? If so, great. If not, the child suffers. It is going to be tough for them to make the right decisions in the future. There needs to be an ongoing conversation between parents and teachers. E.g. if we are teaching waste management or proper nutrition, what are you eating at home? What are you doing with your waste? If we can get on the same page, we can effectively tackle both non-communicable diseases and climate crisis.
Q6. The food at your resorts is a big part of the wellbeing experience. Can you share your nutritional and culinary ethos with us?
Nutrition is such a key part of the wellness journey. What you put in your mouth first thing in the morning determines how you’re going to spend the rest of the day. If you are consuming nutritious food you are starting the day off on a sound basis. Nutrition is everything.
We eat three meals, and those three meals had better generate the kind of productivity that we want throughout the day and help wind down the evening before sleep. We have to be at our best every day in order to be at our most productive. If the nutrients are not there to enable us, along with vitamins and minerals, then we’re not going to be at our best.
When practicing a wellness lifestyle, you have to consider both exercise and what sort of nutrition you are consuming. For each person it’s different. Each human being is different from the others and the program has to be personalized.
So, a dietary program for someone who is quite robust and healthy, what they need to do is eat correctly – carbohydrates, proteins, minerals to keep them going. For someone who is overweight, you should avoid carbs and sugar. For someone who is underweight, you should include protein, complex carbohydrates and the good fats to help them reach the correct benchmark.
Even in stress management, what you eat is so important. Often stress makes people eat. This is compulsive eating. They snack through the office hours and take in way too much. It is also important that if you have to snack, what kind of snack are you going for? Especially in the afternoon, when you feel hungry, or as you are approaching the end of the day, people tend to snack. Picking and choosing what you eat wisely is the key.
If you are an elderly person, your dietary program will be different from the young. It has to be food that is easily digested. The kind of exercise that you do is no longer the fast movement but something that is more aerobic, or more easily done. The food at the beginning of the day, during the day, or end of the day, is what helps you to survive it all. Nutrition is a key element.
Q7. Since you believe that “individual wellness goes hand in hand with planetary wellness.” What do you do to proactively enhance the environment at your retreats from an environmental and planetary perspective?
In our resorts, both in Zulal and Chiva-Som Hua Hin, we have sustainable practices since the beginning. At Hua Hin we have 100% wastewater treatment. We are very conscious of energy conservation. There are meters everywhere in the resort measuring our power consumption at any one time. This is an important part of our ESG program.
We always minimize our carbon footprint, and in our resorts, we try to disengage from the use of plastics, even in the accommodation rooms. The amenities for our guests, the toothbrush and the shaver are made of wood. We don’t even use a plastic tube of toothpaste. It is a glass bottle and the toothpaste comes in pellet form. These things help us to minimize our footprint.
We have had organic farms since the beginning, and everything we serve is totally organic. Our organic farms are certified by IFOAM↗ – the topmost certification in the world. We serve fresh, seasonal locally sourced produce to our guests, and we minimize our reliance on imported food.
We do a lot of nature preservation. For the last twelve years we have grown a mangrove forest in the heart of Hua Hin. You can’t just go in and grow mangroves. This is done through a collaboration with several groups. The local government had given us their blessings, the landowner gave us permission, then we got the consent from the local population through a referendum. We sought assistance from the local university to determine the biodiversity that would be best for the area.
Mangroves tend to thrive when they are grown along with other plants. What species of plants are there to help mangroves? What sorts of fish and living organisms would thrive in that environment? The university performed the research and informed us on how to create a fully developed ecosystem out of what was originally a wasteland.
After 12 years, it is now one of the lungs of the city. Mangroves absorb 4-5 times carbon dioxide than regular plants. It detoxifies the wastewater coming out of the city sewage treatment system, before it goes to the sea. It has also become a place for education where local school children can go and study the ecosystem. What are the living organisms that coexist? How fragile is the ecosystem? We hope that in the future the local population will be better informed.
We also make it relevant to our guests. How can it help them to achieve their wellness goals? With the forest we do a walk through, and some people call it forest bathing. It is located on a 7.2-acre piece of land. We have built a one-kilometre walkway around the area. Thanks to the resort’s beachfront location, we offer beach walks, hiking, yoga and meditation. You can also meditate on the hill above the mangrove forest. The hilltop has a panoramic view of the city, and you can get stretched post-exercise, after which you have a tranquil meditation experience.
Q8. Can you also tell us a little about the Preserve Hua Hin project? What is the focus of some of your community development projects?
Preserve Hua Hin is a movement. A collaboration of the private and public sectors. We get together with local government and state agencies to work on solving various environmental problems from waste management, to water management, conserving energy to minimizing the carbon footprint. We look at real-life problems within the community, e.g. the pavements are broken and need repairing so that more people are encouraged to walk, instead of using a car.
We work closely with the government, and we organize several activities within the community. One of these is a marathon in the month of May. The local people, as well as some from outside participate in the marathon. The route is quite scenic, and it goes through a green area down to the beach. We get 3000-4000 people involved every year. We don’t want to do more than that as otherwise the footprint is too much for us to offset.
Some people might say “I pay tax and the municipality would take care of that”. But the municipality has limited resources. Sometimes you have garbage on the beach because the currents swept it in, and then the tourists come and take a picture and then what does that do for the image of our town?
So, we collaborate with all the resorts and condominiums on the beach organizing a workforce to collect the garbage so that the beach is kept clean all the time. We have a regular team doing the cleaning every day. We basically support each other. The local government gives us their blessings, and we provide the resources that they lack. We complement their work so that the town is in good shape.
Q 9. Can you share some of the sustainability initiatives that you have undertaken at Chiva-Som and Zulal from an operations perspective? From a learning and development perspective, what has been the most profound impact of your training academy?
Our Chiva-Som Academy in Bangkok was initially intended to support the operations of the resort on training our therapists. Then it started to open for outside students from Thailand and overseas. People who want to open a spa, or those who want to become qualified practitioners, train at our academy.
As time passes, we realize the key role of the academy. Especially since the wellness business is growing very quickly. After COVID, we realize that the immune system is very important and everyone wants to learn how to get healthier. So, there’s a sudden demand for therapists, spa managers, and wellness professionals.
Wellness and sustainability should be a subject at school. One of the leading Thai universities has made spa and wellness part of its bachelor’s degree program. A student has to earn a certain number of credit points in wellness and sustainability courses in order to graduate.
We are looking forward to the day that wellness and sustainability becomes a subject at school. The trainers at the academy would be the frontline to go and help the schools when they decide to start.
There is an awakening and an appetite to learn about wellness and sustainability. To put it into the school curriculum, is a common sense move to help children adopt the habits early in life, right from the age of 7-8 years old, and it becomes something that you do every day. What you eat, how you manage stress, it should come instinctively.
Q10. To what extent do you see larger shifts in the landscape e.g. climatic shifts, socio-economic changes, political conflict, global epidemics and pandemics etc. having a direct impact on your business and how do you pivot from these challenges to create opportunities?
Absolutely. The changes were tremendous. Of course, events like wars impact our lives and in many places there is much suffering.
We take note of the ageing society problem, and the global pandemic has had a direct impact on the wellness business. The ageing society issue is something that is a growing challenge, one that needs to be seriously addressed.
The UN estimates that by 2050, 2 billion people will be over 60 years old in the world. Just imagine if they got sick. There is no government budget that could support healthcare for so many people. It could cripple economies.
The wellness business has already geared up to absorb this market. We need to adapt the offerings and find solutions for graceful ageing, allowing people to age well and still be productive to society because of the experience and knowledge they have accumulated. That they could advise, sit on the boards, teach, and so on.
Life for the elderly is something we need to seriously address. As for pandemics, the major concern is the body’s immune system. It’s the key prevention. You go back to the wellness principles. When people travel, they are now looking for something meaningful to their health to learn, and take back. It’s not just about coming and having a good time. Sophisticated travellers, young travellers are thinking that way. We need to develop more retreats catering to that.
Q11: Is that something you are going to be doing more about going forward?
Yes. In fact, right from child to adult to elderly – we need to look at the whole cycle. As we said, it’s a lifelong journey and we like to think that we partner with our clients all the way.
It can be difficult to strike a balance to overcome challenges. But we plan ahead, support them, and encourage them.
Q12. It took you around 25 years as a brand in Thailand to make the shift to a different geography and set up a retreat in Qatar. Do you have plans to take the Chiva-Som footprint to other parts of the world, or do you prefer to stay pure to your roots in Thailand?
We will go to the other parts of the world under certain criteria. Whenever we decide to do something in any location it has to bring value to that location. It has to showcase the best of what that location has to offer. It would incorporate things like indigenous cuisine, the traditional medical know-how, local customs and traditions. People want to experience the culture when they come. One of the ways to relax is to go out and explore the culture and meet local people. To discover something of value to take home.
Wherever we go we have to make that happen. To showcase the best local resources and talents. Finding a flower and nurturing it to full bloom.
Photo Credit: Shivanjali Kumari Dungarpur
THE SACRED SHRINES OF DUNGARPUR
A Prayer In Stone
Tucked away in the south-eastern corner of Rajasthan, just across the border with Gujarat, lies a magni cent old temple, just 24 kilometres outside the town of Dungarpur. As you enter its massive gates, an enormous elephant hand-carved out of stone, greets you. Hewn out of stone and marble, 225 pillars rise up from the ground inspiring awe in the beholder.
This is the Deo Somnath Temple, an architectural marvel — and one of Rajasthan’s last hidden gems.
On the shores of Veraval in Gujarat, overlooking the Arabian Sea, lies the first Somnath Temple. A sacred site for millions of pilgrims, the Somnath temple is revered by Hindus and dates back to the 1st Millenium. Looted and plundered several times, the devotees of the temple were afraid that it would be completely destroyed. So, they decided to build a replica of the temple further inland away from the marauders of the coastal areas – and that’s how the Deo Somnath Temple near Dungarpur was conceived.
Ironically, the current avatar of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat was constructed as recently as 1951, in post-Independence India. As a result, its “replica” the Deo Somnath Temple in Rajasthan, is now the “older sibling”.
Dungarpur is world-famous for its stone and marble carvers. These artisans travel across the globe, as they are commissioned to build beautiful temples and monuments in different corners of the planet. Deo Somnath Temple embodies this legacy of artisanship in its majestic façade and intricate interiors, similar in some ways to the temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.
A massive Nandi bull, carved out of stone faces the imposing entrance. A vast portico is carved with idols of Hindu gods and goddesses, and the pinnacle soars high above towards the sky. A three-tiered façade is built in the Malva style, according to the Archaeological Society of India, and dates back to the 12th century. In fact, while the temples of Ranakpur, just a few hours away are a world-famous heritage site, few people are aware that the Deo Somnath Temple in Dungarpur has a ceiling that is almost exactly the same as the one in the Ranakpur temple.
What are all those hand-prints embedded into the walls?
Legend says that these were the imprints of women who committed Sati, to save their honour from invaders. The sanctum-sanctorum is sunk into the earth, and is located directly beneath the Shikhara, with its sizable Ratha projections. As you enter the sanctum-sanctorum, a white Shiva-Linga dominates the space. Six feet high, it is believed to be entirely natural and is the reason why the temple was constructed in this location.
Photo Credit: Shivanjali Kumari Dungarpur
Dungarpur’s historic centre is full of ancient architecture.
The Juna Mahal with its pillared galleries, intricate stone carvings and delicate lattice jaali-work immediately transports you back in time.
Various floors were built by each generation of the dynasty. From ceilings painted with scenes from the epics, to an entire collection of Chinese porcelain, and a closeted section dedicated to the Kama Sutra, the walls narrate their own story of the eclectic tastes of each period.
The palaces look out upon a peaceful lake. The Bijayrajrajeshwar Temple is a jewel. It has a magical aura that radiates across the landscape, as it seems to float upon the surface of the water. Beautifully decorated with domed chattris, the architecture is delicate and graceful, imbuing a deep sense of serenity in the visitor. Completed in 1923, the temple is dedicated to Shiva and Parvati.
Tucked away behind the Juna Mahal, beyond the public eye, are some of our favourite shrines. Small, intimate, and beautifully decorated, these small private Devi and Hanuman temples are truly special. The moment you enter this sanctuary, you feel a sense of calm and peace take over. The sole domain of the royal family and their guests, cut off from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
Set within the royal precinct, these temples have a divine energy, a place where the soul comes home to pray. As you emerge from this sacred space, you feel rested and calm, as if you’ve emerged from a sanctuary. With a light step and your mind at rest, walk out into the streets of Dungarpur to soak up the city’s old-world charm.
Bijayrajrajeshwar Temple, Dungarpur
Images in this article are courtesy of The Rajbari
BRICK BY BRICK
Restoring The Rajbari
“There was something so hauntingly beautiful about it...”
– Ajay Rawla, owner of The Rajbari
The sky turned golden, reflecting off the ripples, as we cruised down the Hooghly at a leisurely pace. I nibbled on a piece of smoky Kolkata cheese and sipped on a glass of white, while a young chap named Romeo strummed a guitar and sang the Dire Straits classic, Romeo and Juliet.
That subtle humour underscored my entire experience at The Rajbari↗ — because for Ajay Rawla, the owner of the property, it was love at first sight.
When Ajay first stumbled across its threshold by chance, The Rajbari was a shadow of itself. The roots had grown into the ruins, and the place was overrun by bats and other nocturnal creatures.
But Ajay was undeterred. When the villagers in Bawali told him that there was a lone, old man, the sole member of the Mondal family, who lived within the walls, he made his way back, determined to discover more.
It took seven years to restore the Rajbari. Twelve masons from Murshidabad were sent to train with the Aga Khan Foundation, which was restoring Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi at that time.
Lime, eggs and jaggery were used to create a traditional mortar. Each brick was hewn out of the earth by hand on the property itself. Yet, everyday there was a new challenge to be faced. (Watch the video↗ on the restoration)
“It was not as simple as it looked, because entire sections of the roof began to cave in,” Ajay recalls.
But he took each challenge in his stride. Since the roof had to be redone anyway, he laid ducting and pipes that the old structure lacked to facilitate modern amenities like air conditioning and running hot water.
“A lot of it is going back to our roots and keeping it simple and not reinventing the wheel,” says Ajay. In the end, he followed the original architectural lines of the property and he simply remained true to its original form.
Ajay eventually moved onto the site to oversee operations on a day-to-day basis, but his mission didn’t end at the structure itself.
That wasn’t all. Ajay had a keen aesthetic for vintage, and he scoured the countryside for old books, driftwood, lamp shades. Anything that could be upcycled or repurposed. Even the bumper of an old TATA truck — which became the bar at the pool deck! Throughout the property you’ll find a collection of eclectic, upcycled lamps designed by Ajay himself — it’s his personal passion.
“I would drive out each morning to various sites where beautiful old homes were being torn down. It was a horrible feeling to see it come down, but there was beautiful old cast iron, beautiful Italian marble. We bought old railway sleepers and beams.”
Everything from Burma teak to marble to wrought iron railings was repurposed and recycled. It was a blank canvas for Ajay’s creativity.
A passionate foodie, he brought in local housewives from the village to make traditional Bengali fare. In a tribute to Bawali’s roots, he also infused a touch of Chinese cuisine, as the first Hakka immigrants made landfall in Achipur, a village close by. Before long, the locals were stirring up martinis and margheritas, taking a page from Calcutta clubs like the Tolly. A magnificent piano that he managed to snag, set the tone. The library pays tribute to Satyajit Ray, who came here to seek inspiration for his scripts, and several amazing films including Chokher Bali have been shot on the property. The Rajbari employs around 80-100 people from the village.
“How can you build in the unexpected?” muses Ajay.
From sundowners on a barge to re-inventing a dilapidated “naach” house (where dancers amused the zamindars in the old days, away from the eyes of their wives) as a breakfast nook, he reinvented not only the property but the entire destination.
And as you sit on the veranda overlooking the courtyard, the fragrance of dhoop (incense) lingers in the air. You float away to the songs of the Baul↗ mistrals, and the haunting sounds of a conch shell that echo off the old brick walls.
Photo Credit: The Pekoe Trail
“I think I will be able to, in the end, rise above the clouds and climb the stairs to Heaven, and I will look down on my beautiful life.”
– Yayoi Kusama
Where wisps of mist descend over the mountain top. Shades of emerald and jade create a skyline of greenery as far as the eye can see. The cry of a falcon soaring over the cliff-tops cuts through the twitter of the songbirds. Standing at a precipice, overlooking a magnificent tract of forest, one whose aura takes your breath away.
They call it World’s End.
When one thinks of Sri Lankan wildlife, one’s mind often jumps to the leopards and elephants of Yala. But tucked away in the folds of the Central Highlands, Horton Plains is a hidden kingdom of rare and magical biodiversity. In fact, UNESCO has designated it a World Heritage Site.
“World’s End” isn’t a euphemism. It’s the precipice that lies at the pinnacle of Horton Plains.
You can see why it must have been named World’s End. In the heart of this magnificent cloud forest, it feels ethereal, where mountain streams gush through the thickets, and the clouds descend swiftly, swirling around you, it feels like you’re about to take your first step into heaven.
Today, Sri Lanka only has about 5% of its cloud forests remaining in the Central Highlands region. But the little that is left is teeming with biodiversity. These beautiful biospheres were deforested when the planters first arrived, centuries ago, to cultivate tea and rubber on the island. The only reason that these tracts of forest were saved was because Sir John Dalton Hooker, a colonial-era officer advised the British Government to leave the forests above 5000 meters in altitude untouched. It turned out to be a stroke of fortune, because this untamed land is home to one of Sri Lanka’s most ancient cultural and natural ecosystems.
For Sri Lankans, Horton Plains is sacred ground. Ancient legend and folklore are rife with stories about this area, which is associated with the demon king Ravanna, in the Ramayana. In the epic, Hanuman ignites a fire in the area that was known as Maha Eliya Thenna that rages on without end.
Maha Eliya Thenna translates to mean a ‘vast, lit ground’ which evokes the idea of a battlefield, yet perhaps it also stands for enlightenment, because when you look down upon the region from your vantage point at World’s End, there is an indefinable feeling of peace and awe that fills you.
Fast forward to the context of today, and Horton Plains continues to be hallowed ground, but this time from a natural perspective. It is one of the world’s most endangered habitats. Several endemic species can only be found in Horton Plains!
As you hike along narrow trails, overlooking sharp drops, and into the clouds, you’ll hear the incessant song of babblers, barbets and warblers as you walk along the trail. But one of the rarest of them all is the Sri Lankan Whistling Thrush. Usually elusive, one rarely gets to see it, yet you can often hear its distinctive shrill, whistling call at dawn or dusk.
Photo Credit: The Pekoe Trail
Hidden among the trees lie several other endangered species. One of these is the Toque Macaque. An old-world monkey, it is reddish-brown in colour. What makes it distinctive is a small, comical tuft of hair at the top of its head that resembles a toque hat.
These macaques are endemic to Sri Lanka and one can often find troops of around 40-80 of them amid the treetops. While its main predators are the Sri Lankan leopard, the real danger comes from human beings. Farmers and planters often considered them a pest, and they have been hunted by poachers.
During the Civil War, soldiers would use them as target practice, and at one point, the government wanted to send 100,000 of these monkeys to China, until a massive protest by conservationists deterred them from doing so. Once prolific, relatively few of these engaging creatures are left and they are now an endangered species according to IUCN.
Horton Plains is the watershed for three major rivers in Sri Lanka, making these cloud forests all the more important to the country’s sustainability. Old, gnarled oaks and conifers stretch between the mountain peaks of Kirigalpotta and Totapolakanda at an elevation of 2100 meters above sea level, making it an utterly unique habitat.
As you ascend towards the peaks, the trail becomes rutted and the rugged landscape becomes harder to navigate. But one feels a deep sense of solace with this environment. If you manage to finally scale Kirigalpotta, the vista takes your breath away. And you truly believe that you are suspended in time between heaven and earth.
Are you an adventurer or explorer? Venture out on The Pekoe Trail↗, a game-changing sustainable tourism initiative in Sri Lanka.
300 kilometres. 22 Stages. The rst of its kind. The Pekoe Trail is a trailblazing mission – in the nest sense of the word.
When Miguel Cunat rode on a bus from Spain to India he had no idea that he was about to change his life. Like most spirited souls, he eventually landed up on the shores of Sri Lanka and decided to stay. Several years later, The Pekoe Trail is his tribute to that spirit of adventure.
The first project of its kind, The Pekoe Trail maps out hiking trails across Sri Lanka’s highlands, with a sustainable tourism vision that embraces nature, local communities and creates the journey of a lifetime.
Over ten years, Miguel criss-crossed through the region, mapping the routes and drawing the threads together in a web of trails. Twenty-one tea estates, several fragile biospheres, and ethnic settlements had to be transcended, for it to take shape. But it did. Initially funded by the European Union and USAID, it is now a
self-sustaining enterprise that rests in the hands of the The Pekoe Trail Organization, a group of local stakeholders who are invested with the task of maintaining it, promoting it, and turning it into a national asset. The trail has a multi-fold purpose. From developing rural infrastructure to community engagement, conservation to financial sustainability, preservation of flora and fauna and developing a sustainable tourism model, the goal is to make it the bedrock of a self-sustaining ecosystem.
The Horton Plains National Park is a part of The Pekoe Trail. One enters at Dayagama at Stage 10, and its one of the most challenging stretches along the route. Remote and removed, it lies at the far end of the Agarapatana Valley. Only true travellers make it this far. One winds through the tea trails, through thick forest, and then you enter the precincts of Horton Plains National Park. The trail zig-zags through the rainforest as it begins its ascent into the cloud forest. As you climb further and further up, the soundtrack of the jungle spurs you on. Monkeys chatter, deer call out to one another, and birds tweet in symphony, until you reach journey’s end.
FINDING MY ZEN: THE PEKOE TRAIL
By Miguel Cunat
“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again- to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more.”
– Pico Iyer
Sri Lanka, an island steeped in beauty and history, has long captivated travelers with its palm-fringed beaches, lush landscapes, ancient monuments, and the warmth of its people. Yet, despite all its wonders, I always felt something was missing — a way for people to truly connect with the island’s spirit, its hidden treasures, and its resilient communities…
On the Pekoe Trail, nature, simplicity and mindfulness blend together to catalyze transformation, evoking a sense of Zen.
I grew up exploring the mountains of the Sierra de Madrid, accompanied by the unconditional support and inspiration of my family, the Cunat Arias. On those walks I learned that walking is not just a physical act; it is a way to reflect, to find clarity, to build connections.
Back then, I didn’t realize it immediately, but I’d taken my first steps on my path to Zen.
Nature is intrinsic to Zen. Mountains. Rivers. Forests. These are all metaphors for awakening. The trail is your teacher, guiding you to experience the essence of life without word or doctrine. Only through direct experience.
In the Zen tradition, Jikishi (direct pointing) nudges you to bypass the intellect and be totally in the present moment, experiencing reality as it is. It encourages you to peel back layers of interpretation, to reveal the true nature of our existence in its purest, unmediated, and immediate form.
Peel back its layers. The Pekoe Hiking Trail reveals a nuanced landscape –where tea plantations, wildlife corridors and rural landscapes converge. It offers a physical and spiritual journey in alignment with Zen’s principles, particularly direct pointing.
The sights, sounds and smells of the natural world are captivating. It mirrors Zen’s emphasis on direct engagement with reality, but without the conceptual barriers. As you hike, each step grounds you in the present moment.
Like Kinhin (Zen Walking Meditation), every movement is a form of mindfulness.
I walked the Camino de Santiago years ago. It made me realize how a long-distance trail could transform not only how we explore a destination, but also how we feel about it.
When I began exploring Sri Lanka over two decades ago, the central highlands took my breath away. I began to dream of a trail that would weave an enormous tapestry out of the highlands, the plantations, villages, forests and the people who dwell there.
Turning that vision into reality wasn’t easy. It took me over ten years to explore and map the thousands of trail options crisscrossing tea plantations, to determine which route would be most suitable. Endless walks, studying maps, talking to local communities, and understanding the nuances of each region.
Finally, after years of work, The Pekoe Trail was born. At World’s End, I found a new beginning.
This 300km trail is more than just a route through Sri Lanka’s breathtaking tea country — it is a gateway to its soul. It passes through 2 provinces, 25 towns, 80 villages, 24 tea plantations, 8 railway stations, 10 forest reserves, and even a leopard corridor. But what makes it truly special is its ability to take travelers far beyond the well-trodden tourist paths. Whether walking a single stage or the entire trail, hikers discover places and stories that might otherwise remain hidden, creating a deeply personal connection with Sri Lanka.
Every step is a lesson in simplicity, stripping away the noise of urban life. A direct confrontation with the raw, unblemished beauty of pure existence. A deeper connection with oneself and the environment, a voyage within to recover one’s authentic self.
In Zen, nature is a direct pointer to enlightenment. Mountains, rivers, and trees do not preach. They embody truth without words, without judgement. The Pekoe Trail serves as such a teacher. Each tea leaf, forest path and animal points directly to the infinite interconnectedness of all life. The trail nurtures mindfulness by drawing your attention to its terrain. A metaphor for life’s journey – one step at a time, fully present.
The rhythm of footsteps, the rustle of tea leaves, birdsong in the background. The trail invites you to immerse yourself in the present moment. It bypasses conceptual thinking and brings hikers into direct contact with the essence of their surroundings.
Moments of awe — such as cresting a hill to reveal a sweeping tea valley or pausing to witness wildlife — become instances of direct pointing. These moments do not need explanation; they speak directly to the heart and remind the hiker of their place in the natural order.
Hiking integrates the physical with the spiritual. The trail requires effort, patience, and perseverance, echoing the discipline of Zen meditation. Yet the reward is not in reaching the destination but in the act of walking itself — a pure, immediate experience of life.
The Pekoe Trail embodies our interconnectedness, as it weaves through communities, offering encounters with locals that embody humility and simplicity. Each interaction a reminder of our shared humanity and mutual dependence, pointing directly to the value of connection and compassion.
The trail also serves a critical purpose: to support the Ceylon Tea industry at a pivotal moment in its history. For decades, Ceylon Tea has been one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic exports, but economic challenges, shifting global markets, and struggles within plantation communities have put this unique heritage at risk.
Through the trail, the story of tea is revealed in a way that connects travelers to life on the plantations, the hard work behind each tea leaf, and the extraordinary history of an industry that has defined this island. Every step a traveler takes on the Pekoe Trail is an opportunity to generate income and visibility for these communities, helping revitalize the sector while promoting responsible tourism.
The Pekoe Trail was born during a tumultuous time. As the world recalibrated after the pandemic, Sri Lanka faced an unprecedented economic and political crisis. The trail became a beacon of hope. While power cuts stretched for hours, fuel supplies dwindled, and protests filled the streets, we introduced a product
that met the moment: a sustainable, low-impact way to explore, an invitation to slow down, and an opportunity to uplift remote communities.
Even as grim headlines about Sri Lanka dominated global news, the trail told a different story. It represented resilience, innovation, and the promise of a better future. It showcased Sri Lanka in a new light, inspiring travelers and restoring faith in the country as a destination.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been to see how it empowers the communities it touches. Many villages along the trail were designed during colonial times to be isolated, with lives centered solely around tea plucking. The Pekoe Trail has changed that narrative. Local men and women, drawing on their everyday knowledge, have become trail guides, sharing their understanding of tea, plantation culture, and the flora and fauna of the region. Here, nature becomes the teacher, a journey that strips away ego and distractions. An invitation to experience reality as it is — through mindful walking, attentive listening, and an open heart.
I will never forget a call from a guide after we conducted a health and safety training program for the trail. He told me that ve of the seven women trained were already leading clients on the trail.
One of them, while guiding her group, encountered her grandparents working in the tea elds. Their pride and joy were overwhelming as they saw their granddaughter hosting foreign hikers and representing her community with such con dence and grace. These moments show that the trail isn’t just about walking — it’s about changing lives, creating new opportunities, and rewriting narratives.
At its core, The Pekoe Trail isn’t just a journey through Sri Lanka’s landscapes — it’s a journey inward. Inspired by the principles of Zen, the trail invites hikers to embrace mindfulness with every step. Walking the trail means slowing down, attuning to the rhythm of nature, and immersing oneself in the present moment.
Whether you’re listening to the wind in the forests, watching the sun dip behind tea-covered hills, or sharing a smile with a local villager, the trail offers a rare opportunity to reconnect —with the land, with others, and with yourself. It is this harmony between adventure and stillness exploration and reflection, that makes The Pekoe Trail not just a path but an experience that lingers long after the journey ends.
Each step on the trail aligns with Zen’s call to return to the moment, where truth resides. In this way, the The Pekoe Trail is not just a physical route but a spiritual practice—a direct pointing to the essence of life itself. With the right support, The Pekoe Trail will continue to transform lives, protect landscapes, and share Sri Lanka’s magic with the world. Together, we can ensure its legacy as a beacon of sustainable, meaningful travel for generations to come.
Images in this article are courtesy of the House of Kathiwada
LIFE IN KATHIWADA
In Conversation with Digvijay Sinh Kathiwada
East of Champaner, on the western border of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, lies an oasis in the making. A lush green belt, which integrates forestry, permaculture, and organic farming across a hundred-acre campus in the erstwhile principality of Kathiwada.
When Digvijay Sinh Kathiwada inherited the land, a stark reality stared him in the face. It was arid, barren and sorely under-utilized. Poorly irrigated and eroded. With no meadow and no pasture. Just a large swathe of parched land that stretched endlessly before him.
Instead of being deterred, Digvijay saw an opportunity. Here was a blank canvas, on which he could rebirth a thriving, viable ecosystem. One where nature and culture, humans and animals, the past and the future could co-exist seamlessly.
He knew that he couldn’t do it all alone. So, he reached out to a vast network of experts, tribals, NGOs and foundations to explore the possibilities. What could be done to revive a hundred-acre campus in the most sustainable manner possible?
From contour surveyors to soil analysts and forestation gurus, several people shared their insights. As he absorbed and accumulated their expertise, the possibilities began to develop. Under the guidance of an organization called Afforest, he decided to create tracts of man-made woodlands across the campus, that would soon become self-sustaining forests with their own ecosystems.
Several consultations with a water expert helped him to understand the state of the water-table and how the macro-shed water system could be better utilized. Then he turned to tribal farmers who had been practicing agriculture in the vicinity for generations to understand what the traditional methods of cultivation were, and how these could be
leveraged to create sustainable livelihoods in the food production system. An urban planner by qualification, Digvijay had a big picture in mind.
He wanted to offset the entire carbon footprint of man-made development, and a green belt seemed to be the best way to do it. With a ratio of 90% greenbelt to 10% man-made development across a hundred acres of land, he strategically harnessed the power of nature to further this goal.
It was through these conversations and while consulting with a foundation known as Pukaar, that Digvijay realized that permaculture was the key.
Permaculture is “permanent agriculture” which draws on the principles of how a forest survives without human intervention, and replicates some of these practices for sustainable agriculture. The cornerstone of permaculture lies in creating environmental biodiversity so that the cultivated land can sustain itself. From natural pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies, to native species of plants including fruiting trees like custard-apple and mango, flowering plants, and lots of types of bamboo, the reforested patches have taken on a life of their own, creating a positive ripple effect on the land that surrounds them.
Offsetting the carbon footprint of man-made structures with a vibrant ecosystem was a feat in itself. But it was only the beginning. He decided to take it a step further to create the macro-impact and build a footprint of sustainable development across Central India.
Rekindled: Nurturing New Life In Kathiwada
Rekindled: Nurturing
Although was his ancestral home, it didn’t mean that he couldn’t share it with others. So, he took a ground-breaking decision to set up an ambitious educational campus within the estate which incorporates a laboratory as well as a state-of-the-art centre for research and learning.
People could come from all over the country and the world, to educate themselves on sustainable farming initiatives. The educational campus will welcome researchers who want to work on the land and learn more.
Helmed by a team of professors and educators, Kathiwada can take its model out into the greater world. Professors and teachers will be able to impart their knowledge to students. The centre has a dedicated classroom, lab and conference hall, creating a collaborative space where likeminded individuals can ideate and brainstorm together.
The beauty of Kathiwada is that it is a contained and privately owned environment, which allows one to analyze and monitor its evolution with a fair degree of precision. There are over 120 native species that have already taken root, a whole array giving birth to an array of small animals, insects, fungi, and other life-forms to create a vibrant ecosystem. The result is already there for anyone to see.
In the future, he envisions crops like organic turmeric and black pepper that can be cultivated in the shade of the forest itself. The micro-forests have created a rainwater catchment area which feeds into the river that flows through the property and increases the groundwater supply. As a result, the borewells on the property are self-sustaining as they get naturally recharged by the rainfall.
Of course, there will constantly be challenges that get thrown up in the course of its evolution. From bears who come for the termite mounds, to leopards who sneak a midnight snack from domesticated animals that the local farmers keep, there’s a certain amount of trial and error that comes with co-existing in a verdant natural habitat. But he’s up for the task.
From his perspective, this is a life-long project, one that will probably spill over into future generations. But he would like to see Kathiwada become a knowledge centre for sustainable livelihood development and socio-economic betterment across the region, one which frees it from the strangle-hold of sustenance farming. A tangible model of sustainable development.
One which walks the talk.
Images in this article are courtesy of Locavore
CULTURALLY SENSITIVE.
ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE.
Chef Thomas Zacharias shares his thoughts on forest-foraging and indigenous cuisine.
Jamyrdoh? Baskarel? Perilla? Fiddlehead ferns?
Where traditional ingredients add an unusual twist to our dining experience.
Where forest-foraged foods evoke unexpected flavours.
Welcome to Thomas Zacharias’ world with Locavore↗.
A sensitive, experienced and culture-curious chef, Thomas is on an eternal quest to discover what we can learn from our forest foods and the communities who consume them.
“The starting point has to come from a certain sense of humility and curiosity, to see how we can even begin to try and incorporate these ingredients. It doesn’t have to be a really crazy, innovative idea. Sometimes a simple idea can showcase those vegetables far better than a complex one,” he says.
A simple pakoda or paratha that allows the unique flavours of a foraged vegetable to make itself felt, creates more of an impact than a complex preparation masked with a mish-mash of other ingredients.
On a recent trip into the Garo and Khasi hills in Meghalaya, Thomas was fascinated by a wild, aromatic herb, Houttuynia Cordata, commonly known as Fish Mint in English or Jamyrdoh in Khasi. It’s variegated leaves, tinged fuschia around the edges, have a distinct flavour that resembles oysters!
Not only does it look gorgeous and taste delicious, but this herb also has noteworthy anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory medicinal properties. It goes a long way towards keeping our gut, lungs and skin healthy. Yet, it is not the only wild ingredient that has incredible health benefits. In fact, the indigenous communities that consume foraged foods have heightened immunity and resilience to several diseases, thanks to the nutritional and medicinal properties present in their everyday diet.
Most tribal and indigenous communities will only consume what is in season, and eat a variety of vegetables, leaves, herbs, sh and animals that rarely make it to urban tables.
While Thomas was traveling through Meghalaya, he found that they regularly consumed several varieties of tiny, dried river fish such as Kha Saw, Kha Leng and Kha Bah. There are over thirty to forty varieties of fish, which are often dried, smoked or pickled. Sometimes the fish is cooked over an open charcoal fire, giving it a delicious flavour, while one of the most common preparations is Tungtap, a delectable smoked fish chutney.
The monsoon season is a great time to go fishing in the Khasi region, but communities are always extremely prudent to ensure that they fish sustainably. Overfishing is frowned upon, and young spawn are immediately released back into the water.
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For Thomas, the rainy season is traditionally a busy season as well. His first foray into foraged ingredients began with seasonal foods, sourced from Palgarh’s forests in Maharashtra during the monsoon. It’s a short season, and he’s had to quickly learn how to treat, prepare and adapt the ingredients. There are no guidebooks or cookbooks that teach you how to treat and cook these foods, so Thomas prefers to go straight to the source. He often engages with locals in their homes, learning recipes from home kitchens while using foraged ingredients.
In doing so, he has gained deep respect for the know-how of the indigenous communities who source the ingredients from the forest. He firmly believes that the communities who forage and consume these foods need to be acknowledged and celebrated for contributing to the cuisine.
Apart from the cooking techniques and properties of the food, he has also come to appreciate their zero-waste ethos. Every part of the plant or animal is utilized and consumed. Even the greens of mainstream produce like sweet potato and cauliflower are cooked and eaten, instead of being discarded.
Sensitivity is key. He feels that the communities who harvest and consume these foods deserve to be respected and compensated for their expertise, and that their knowledge should trickle down not only to the chefs and kitchen crew, but also to the diner.
While working at The Bombay Canteen, Thomas often placed forest foraged seasonal vegetables on the menu. The servers were trained extensively to not only understand the culinary and nutritional elements of the ingredient, but also how it was prepared. They would then take the raw ingredients on a platter to the diner’s table, along with a note on the properties of each ingredient, to share with clients.
Educating his own team and the diner is a critical part of the process. Thomas believes that sharing the knowledge that he has garnered adds value and ups the appreciation for the ingredients and the communities who sourced them is heightened, enhancing the overall dining experience.
What he quickly realized, however, is that it was one thing to bring the ingredients and recipes to people in restaurants in Mumbai. It was a whole different ball game to take foodies into the heartland of the regions where the culinary traditions and ingredients originate. From Goa to Meghalaya, Nagaland to Maharashtra, Kerala to Assam, Thomas criss-crosses the subcontinent in his quest for culinary knowledge and experiences, taking small groups of people with him, to discover local culinary traditions that are unique to each location.
While the terroir and the ingredients may differ, there are similarities in the food practices. Most indigenous communities will only consume what is in season, ensuring that they do so in a manner that is ecologically sensitive and in harmony with nature.
One of the reasons why he is in love with the north-east of India is because ancient foods and traditional methods of preparation are still very much a part of mainstream cooking. In this part of the country, the tribal and indigenous communities are not marginalized, and their culinary traditions are at the forefront of the food scene.
They have extensive knowledge of the properties of each of the ingredients that are passed down from generation to generation. A food knowledge and culture that Thomas fervently hopes will continue to be cherished. Thomas’ own culinary aesthetic is deeply rooted in tradition. He feels that he must first master the traditional preparation and local recipes before trying anything innovative with the ingredients.
But on a recent visit to the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development’s headquarters in Rome, he highlighted the subcontinent’s indigenous cuisine and culinary heritage, while unleashing his culinary creativity and curiosity!
From Porcini mushrooms dusted with black sesame from the Khasi hills, to pairing an Italian Bacala with Tungtap (dried fish chutney) and a Puri, he ably demonstrated how local foods and ingredients can be used in combination with ingredients from other parts of the planet, to create spectacular global cuisine. So, what’s next on his plate? We can’t wait to find out what’s cooking as we follow Thomas around the subcontinent in his quest for the next inspiring, indigenous culinary experiences!
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IKAT –AN ATLAS
The Ties That Bind
"All of my creation is an effort to weave a web of connection with the world: I am always weaving it because it was once broken."
– Anais Nin
Textile traditions weave an intricate story. None more so than Ikat, the ancient art of resistance dyeing.
The origins of Ikat↗ are blurred, somewhat like its design. But historians believe that Ikat has parallel roots in Southeast Asia where it was called Ikat. It also developed in parallel among the Uyghur settlements of Central Asia where it was called Atlas.
True to its Central Indian name, Ikat has traveled across the world, weaving a complex lattice of warp and weft across far-flung corners of the planet. From Okinawa to Bukhara, Patan to Guadalajara, Ikat has woven itself into the cultural fabric of those places. Over centuries, Ikat textile traditions have crossed borders and been preserved. Handed down from one generation to the next. A fabric of humanity that binds us all together.
There’s an art to it – one that’s painstaking and precise. Ikat weavers first prepare the yarn. Dye is applied to the threads before they are woven, using resistance dyeing techniques, in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours. You’ll often find Ikats in deep shades of red, purple, yellow, white, black, blue, green and more.
Depending on which threads are dyed, there are warp Ikats, weft Ikats, and the most intricate of them all, the double Ikat. They are usually made with cotton or silk, or occasionally wool.
Once the threads are wound onto a wooden frame, they are then tied into little bundles which are encased in wax. The yarn is encased in thread or another material that prevents the dye from permeating. Once the colouring process has taken place, the yarn is wrapped either as the warp or the weft across the loom, and the weaving process begins.
While the South Americans and Indonesians favour warp Ikats, the Ikats of Japan are usually weft Ikats. In certain parts of India such as Patan and Pochampally, highly skilled artisans produce complex double Ikats, to create stunning silks. In fact, a Patola sari is a treasured heirloom, passed down from mother to daughter with immense love and care.
Weavers from Patan and Rajkot migrated east and settled in Orissa, which gave rise to Orissa’s unique style of Ikat weaving. Today the three major centers of Ikat in India are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.
Orissa is known for its incredible culture of craftsmanship, and its Ikats are no exception. Orissa’s weavers have even woven entire verses in Urdu into the Ikat, making them some of the most beautiful fabrics known to mankind. The art of double Ikat weaving has recently been revived in the villages of the Nalgonda region in Andhra Pradesh. Pochampally and Puttapaka have been centers of weaving for over 200 years and the Puttapaka sari is a specially designed double Ikat that dates back two centuries!
Most Ikats in India are painstakingly woven by hand by the artisans. It is only as recently as 1999 that machines have been deployed in parts of the process like the “Asu” or the winding of the yarn.
In Central Asia, Ikat originated with the Uyghurs during the Qing dynasty. In those days there were twenty-seven different kinds of Ikat. Of these, only three or four are still being created. In Japan, Okinawa and Oshima remain important weaving centers. Japanese motifs are smaller, more precise, and they use a slightly different spot dying technique, which was later replicated in Java and Bali as well. In fact, in Indonesia, Ikat was the sole preserve of the nobility.
In ancient Persia, Ikat was called Darayee. The word means “property” in Persian and Ikat fabric was coveted as a symbol of wealth in the Persian bride’s trousseau. Persian weaving rose to its greatest heights during the sixteenth century under the Safavid dynasty. Even now, The major weaving center is in Yazd.
Ikats flourish across Central America and the Andean region, dating as far back as the Mayan era. From the traditional Rebozos (shawls) of Mexico to the Mapuche (poncho) of the Chilean horsemen, to the Corto (skirt) of the Guatemaleans, Ikat runs like a common thread. In Mayan times, the technique was known as Jaspe. Ikats were woven on a backstrap loom by the women in those days. Today, just a handful of weavers from the Mapuche community in the southernmost tip of Chile persist with this timeless weaving tradition.
Ikat’s role in society went beyond mere adornment. It was often sent as a gift from one king to another as a gesture of diplomacy. In fact, the King of Thailand gifted a beautiful Cambodian Ikat to the US President in 1856, as a gesture of friendship between the two nations. In Thai culture, the fabric is known as Matmi, and is usually worn only by aristocracy.
Cambodian Ikats were known to be some of the finest in the world. Cambodian weavers were held in high esteem, until the Khmer Rouge wiped out the craft and killed several members of the weaving community. The art had died out completely until 1995, until a Japanese man named Kikuo Morimoto re-introduced Ikat in Cambodia. He brought a couple of ladies from Japan and unearthed a few of the last surviving members of the weaving community in the country, to bring the craft back to its Cambodian roots.
The thread may grow frail, and the fabric may fray, but Ikat persists. Its warp and weft cover the world, the latitude and longitude binding us all together to create a magni cent atlas.
ENTWINED
Inspired
by Ikat, crafting a legacy
Precise. Painstaking. Pure perfection.
Jewellery design is a timeless tradition – just like weaving.
In its latest collection, ANEKA↗ draws on textile threads to create exquisitely designed pieces of jewellery. Inspired by the art of Ikat, ANEKA weaves together specially cut diamonds with the deep hues of sapphire, peridot, and tsavorite to design captivating creations.
The Maison designers were so inspired by Ikat’s intricate warp and weft that they created a specialised technique for this collection. The gemstones are linked together in a unique manner, which gives the jewels the fluidity of a beautifully woven textile. Richly hued, and subtly sophisticated, it enhances the aura of the person who wears it.
The stones are set in a three-dimensional overlap. The diamonds are placed in such a way that they bring out the unique nuances of each facet. Moval-cut diamonds highlight the exquisite proportions of the marquise-cut diamond and the subtle curves of the oval-cut diamond.
Finding the right gemstones was a challenge. It took over nine months of scouring various sources to find what ANEKA deemed fit for its collection. Hand-picked for their natural fire and deep colour, each stone gives the piece the quality of an exquisite hand-woven Ikat fabric, evoking the confluence of all the cultures that this ancient tradition has flown into over centuries. The gems blend seamlessly into one another, and each stone had to be cut with extreme precision. Skilled artisans in Thailand spent hours perfecting its cut, after which each gemstone was faceted to the last degree by hand.
The unusual, layered setting gives it a three-dimensional quality, juxtaposing the different colours against one another to create a sense of depth and fire, which makes the gems come alive.
It makes a lot of sense that ANEKA would seek inspiration from Ikat. The etymology of the Maison’s name lies in Sanskrit – Anek (Many) and Ek (one) symbolizing “a confluence of the unique individual in a modern, diverse world.”
ANEKA believes in going beyond mere material value to make its jewellery relevant to today’s consumer. With ecological mindfulness and social responsibility at the core of its philosophy, ANEKA creates meaningful pieces that echo a reinvention of sorts. The brand has made a firm commitment to achieve carbon neutrality level 3 and is well on its way to achieving a Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark certification by 2025.
In an age of controversy in the diamond mining process, ANEKA makes it a point to source its gemstones sustainably and responsibly. Every diamond is certified, and the Maison is very particular to ensure that they do not use diamonds from conflict-affected and high-risk zones. ANEKA tries to work with recycled diamonds wherever possible, as well as recycled gold, preventing over 334 tons of carbon emissions in the short span of just two years!
ANEKA keeps a sharp eye on every stage along their gem supply chain, to check on the social and environmental impact across the entire supply chain. In another significant move, their entire supply chain is powered 100% by renewable energy.
With signature boutiques in Mumbai and Paris, as well as retail touchpoints in the USA, ANEKA embraces global diversity. It believes in creating empowerment at every level, and has proactively initiated training and support for artisans, particularly women. The Maison is particular about adhering to fair-wage and fair-trade practices while nurturing its craftsmen. It also harnesses the power of cutting-edge technology for better traceability and establishes heightened standards across the industry.
With Entwine, ANEKA creates a modern spin on timeless traditions intrinsically bound by deep symbolism. The Entwine Signature Blush Band, for example, is a gorgeous rose-hued ring, while the fiery amber pendant symbolizes the eternal bonds of togetherness and community. The jewels intertwine timeless tradition and deep emotion to create a lasting legacy.
THE LAST FRONTIER: BHUTAN
The arrow of the accomplished (master) will not be seen when it is released; only when it hits the target. (you don't see the process; only the result can be seen). 100
"Ye shey pi da chap sar mi thoeng; phog sar thoeng."
The Druk Air aircraft hovers over the craggy Himalayan slopes as the pilot noses in to land on the narrow airstrip. Paro is one of the trickiest touchdowns in the world, and one of the most scenic. The plane banks and you see the wide sweep of snow caps that tower over the tiny kingdom. Bhutan is nestled in their fold, protected from the outside world.
As the wheels make contact with the tarmac, you can almost feel a collective breath being released. And someone claps in the background, applauding the pilot’s deft manoeuvre.
Bhutan is a monarchy on the cusp of change. It established itself as a constitutional monarchy as recently as 2008, making way for an elected government. Steered by a council of ministers with a Prime Minister at its head, the royal family continues to play an active role in the social and administrative functioning of the country. Steeped in tradition and the Vajrayana Buddhist faith, it gracefully navigates its interaction with the world beyond its hidden kingdom.
Despite being surrounded by a seething South Asia, Bhutan remains peaceful, seemingly unru ed by regional geopolitics. That could be because Bhutan prizes its “Happiness Quotient” above all else. Happiness is the purpose that propels Bhutanese society, and Good Karma is the key to a life well lived.
Despite its pursuit of happiness, the Bhutanese have a long-standing martial tradition and are expert archers. In fact, archery is the national sport and its not that unusual to find people in traditional garb practicing their skill with a bow and arrow.
The more one draws an arrow back, the further it flies. The Bhutanese embody this spirit.
They rise above the challenges of living in an ecologically and geopolitically sensitive region of the Himalayas. They maintain their solidarity and sanctuary with customary calm and strategic foresight, honed by centuries of living with the elements.
Which is why this tiny country has such an awe-inspiring sustainability footprint. In fact, environmental protection of its virgin habitats is one of the four pillars of its National Happiness ethos. Over 60% of the country has been retained under forest cover and is protected by the government. With a small population of around 760,000 people, nature has room to thrive. Bhutan has played a leading role in wildlife conservation efforts. As a result, critically endangered species such as the tiger, the snow leopard and the black-necked crane flourish within its borders, in beautiful national parks like the Royal Manas National Park↗
There’s a greater strategy to this effort. In conserving the habitat of these species, Bhutan maintains a critical watershed that feeds its larger neighbours. It provides water to 20% of the world’s population. The environment plays a key role in the economy, as ecotourism, wildlife and adventure tourism are core elements that drive foreign currency into the country.
The Black-Necked Crane is a unique motif which symbolizes culture and nature coming together. Every November, clouds of Black-Necked Cranes leave the
In Bhutanese folklore, the Black-Necked Cranes are held sacred, and are often depicted dancing together in pairs. Their arrival is heralded as a symbol of good luck and prosperity, and the Bhutanese literally make a song and dance about it, as they celebrate the Black-Necked Crane Festival on November 11 with tremendous enthusiasm. The courtyard of Gangtey’s serene Goempa springs to life as locals gather together to watch the monks perform an intricate dance and music performance to welcome the birds.
The Jigme Dorji National Park↗ adjoins the Phobjikha Valley which comes under the aegis of the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN). This reserve focuses on protecting the Black-Necked Cranes and their habitat. Within its environs, Bumdeling is a key site where the cranes roost for the winter. IUCN has listed the Black-Necked Crane as a vulnerable species and the Bhutanese administration has taken several steps to save it, as well as other avians that are threatened due to habitat loss. In a pathbreaking move, the Bhutanese government decided to shelve the idea of farming cash-crops in the wetlands just to save the Black-Necked Cranes habitat. Several monks voluntarily retreat to warmer zones every winter to avoid disturbing the cranes.
Although several visitors make it to Gangtey for the festival, they are strictly monitored so that they do not derange on the birds. Visitors are guided to designated areas from where they can view the birds at a distance, without intruding on them. The Crane Information Centre in the valley also offers visitors an opportunity to learn more about these ethereal birds.
Some say that the Phobjikha Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of Bhutan (if not on earth!) – and we are inclined to agree. For those who enjoy being outdoors, the Gangtey Nature Trail allows you to hike through the valley and soak up its beauty. The hike is not too strenuous and takes about 2-2.5 hours, taking you through forest, small hamlets and lush fields until you come out to a vast open area. The sense of space, light and energy is surreal. It offers you an opportunity to interact with the landscape and see an authentic side of untouched, rural Bhutan that you may otherwise miss.
As you drive back towards Paro, pause for a night or two at Punakha. The Punakha Dzong is an important centre of Buddhist learning. It is arguably one of the most beautiful monasteries in the world, with its magnificent traditional architecture and a fabulous location, overlooking the river.
While in Punakha, take a short drive outside the main town to visit Chimi Lakhang, the Temple of the Divine Madman. Perched at the top of a hill, Chimi Lakhang is intrinsic to Bhutanese folklore. Drukpa Kunley was a great performer, and spread his particular brand of wisdom through song, dance and drama. According to local legend, he subdued a demon with “a bolt of wisdom” which he shared with others through his storytelling and music, sometimes with a sexual connotation. His bizarre behaviour raised many eyebrows amid the old guard orthodoxy, but he has gone down in local culture as one of the most loved and revered characters in Bhutanese history.
Despite the thrust on eco-tourism as a key driver of the economy, the Bhutanese are very wary of over-tourism. Strict measures have been put in place to limit the number of visitors to the country. During the Global Pandemic, Bhutan’s borders were closed off to all outsiders, and it was one of the last destinations to open up. Druk Air, the national carrier, is the only commercial airline that is allowed to fly into the country. Visas are a must for most nationalities. And there is a cap on the number of tourists who can enter the country.
Yet we can’t get enough of it.
This mystical Himalayan kingdom continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations on the planet. For true travellers, Bhutan is one of the last natural and cultural frontiers. The mesmerising beauty of its landscape and the depth of its spiritual belief come together to create an aura that is simply magic. Its emphasis on sustainable living and protecting its natural resources only heightens its appeal. The kingdom of the powerful thunder dragon, the gateway to heaven on earth.
Know where to go:
GETTING THERE
Paro is the only international airport. You can fly in from New Delhi, Kathmandu or Bangkok on Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier.
To get to Gangtey, you can take a short domestic flight to Bumthang, and then drive to Gangtey which is around 65-70 kilometers away. If you prefer to see the scenery and don’t mind the winding roads, one can drive from Paro to Gangtey.
YOUR STAY
In Gangtey
The Amankora Gangtey Lodge↗ is the best place to stay in Gangtey. With just eight suites, it has a cozy, intimate sense of luxury. Sweeping views of the Goempa and the valley create a fantastic sense of place. The hot stone bath at the lodge’s spa is a great way to unwind after a day spent exploring the valley.
In Punakha
Como Uma Punakha↗ is a lovely property that has been around for a while. With just ten rooms and villas, the atmosphere is warm, inviting and serene. Gorgeous views of the rushing river and the valley add to its charm.
The Amankora Punakha↗ is set in a large farmhouse that once belonged to the Abbot of Punakha. Rustic charm meets Aman’s signature luxury, flooded with fresh mountain air and natural light. The property overlooks lush fields and orchards, as well as the river.
Drawn from Zen philosophy, Ekō means:
The dedication read after recitation of a sutra, to direct the merit gained from the recitation to a certain person or group.
In essence, the echo of an ethos, a fundamental truth.
At House of Kathiwada, we embrace artistic, wellbeing and culinary aesthetics, juxtaposed against the backdrop of our rich cultural and natural heritage, as the elements that nurture a truly sustainable lifestyle.
Ekō, a platform of communication from House of Kathiwada, resonates with this ethos. Refined yet progressive, it draws on inspiration to seed innovation. It seeks to nurture a co-creative ecosystem and share culture-curious insights with a like-minded community.
Myths to motifs, regeneration to biodiversity, wellbeing to art, music to spirituality -we draw on the infinite threads of our social fabric and natural abundance to evoke curiosity, provoke thought, and weave deeper meaning into our everyday lives.
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