‘The Dang’ and ‘Kutch’: Through My Lens
Recently, It happened to visit and spend some time within a gap of short interval at two geographically distinct regions but rich in culture and traditions. It was striking to witness nature’s diversity as one region (The Dang) drenched with rain and abundance of greenery while second one (Kutch) had been starved off water since ages as endless dry land had sucked up even a last blink of moisture from the air. I had quite interesting and different kind of experience from Kutch to Dang in terms of Travel, Livelihood, food but one common attribute was warmth and human touch from communities of both Kutch and Dang. One thing I always liked about travelling is it helps to make you realize that basic needs of human beings are and always be Water, Food and Shelter amidst your endless desires of running behind materialistic lifestyle.
In Early morning, A man of Nomadic Pastoral Community (Rabari Community) of Kutch takes his cattle for grazing in field and return home in afternoon to take a meal followed by a nap would surely have less complains towards life than a well earned corporate techie in metro cities.
Similarly, in Dang a man engaged in farming with the help of bulls in adjoining small farm land looks more content than most of us (especially me though).
Taking you towards Travelling side, mode of transport as well as pathways were at extreme ends but it was worth of experiencing both. I try to soak up place’s history, lifestyle, daily routine as well as challenges as much as possible while travelling with local men/women by engaging in friendly chat with them. That way I feel part of the local environment and try to understand life in the context of cultural, geographical and economical aspect in respective place be it interior village, City or any of tourist destinations.
Type of Shelters/house were also unique and distinguished from each other in Dang as in Kutch villages, people lives in housing structure called ‘Bhunga’. Bhungas are traditional houses you will find in Kutch region built using muds and decorated with various traditional things. they also provide structural stability in earthquakes and protect against sandstorms and cyclonic winds. Kutch and Dang were similar in pattern of habitat as both had quite difficult terrain as well as distance between two households was also sometimes too much to to walk for me (not at all a problem for natives) but that way I could explore and observe their routine very closely.
I always try to click Children as its ultimate joy to watch, talk (if you have right skills to make them open up) during my field experience. After visiting both places, I was able to click some golden moments but I found Children in Kutch were quite curious about new people when they see them around and often gather in groups nearby you and expecting you to show some magic.
This picture had plenty of emotions and at times I fondly remember my childhood running behind vehicles that I wished to travel twenty years back and run with this set of children.
Lastly, I had some mouth watering local delicacies which my taste buds would never forget. Black Tea at Dang and ‘Mitho Mavo’ (freshly made from Buffalo milk) at Kutch were highlights from all important cuisines.
Overall, the journey of ‘The Dangs’ and ‘Kutch’ was quite fascinating experience. The sheer excitement to pen down these lifelong memories are purely for the purpose of getting back to the roots of our culture so as to introspect inside while cherishing the abundance of beauty around us be it ‘Green Dang’ or ‘Deserted Kutch’ as someone truly said, ‘Beauty is in the eye of beholder’.