RUTU - LIVE & LEARN PROGRAM

Seasons are rhythms which are the fundamental aspects of life. They are more than just changes in the weather, there are many important and subtle differences with each season. The changes in the types of foods, the celebrations, the activities, the ecology and life around us are significant outcomes. The rhythm of each season, enables us to understand the passage of time, environmental change and adaptation. When we disengage with the seasons in our air-conditioned rooms, consuming imported foods and synthetic garments we totally disconnect with nature and what the seasons have to offer us. Living in harmony with the seasons brings health and is fundamental for learning.

It is the most challenging time today to be a student, an active learner and more so a young adult. In these times where entertainment, social media, television, gaming and a flood of information blur the young minds and come in the way of learning at leisure, youngsters are struggling with basic physical, emotional and mental development. They struggle to find joy in small things and feel lost and confused to find their calling.

It is our endeavour to bring back to the young minds these aspects, and we strive to reinstall health, well being and an open mind.

Outcome

Get exposure, experience and learn:

Folklore & Folk Culture
Community & Sustainable Lifestyle
Farming & Building
Low-Waste & Conscious Living
Impacting Rural Livelihood
Research & Documentation Skills
Alternate Education Methods
Self Discovery, Self Study & Self Exploration
Building a Portfolio
Eco-Tourism

Purpose

Our main purpose is to foster holistic living and learning environments via community participation that will include locals and people from in and around Uttar Kannada region. We also wish to facilitate community based interaction where the importance of land (soil), flora & fauna is deeply ingrained in their experiences.

We encourage mixed age groups and a cross cultural environment that fosters learning. Our primary objective is to introduce to students and individuals creative ways to learn. The program helps them experience traditional wisdom, non-conforming learning and nurtures self-growth. All our activities and programs revolve around the seasons of the year. Each season offers diverse opportunities and these elements contribute to life at RUTU.

Location

We are located in the Coastal Karnataka State of South Western India, in the district of Ankola which is on the western sea coast, nestled in a tiny village called Angadibail amidst the Western Ghat forest, a warm traditional community home named RUTU.

Nearby Towns: Gokarna (30 km), Ankola (30 km), Kumta (50 km)
Closest Airport: Goa/Hubli
Closest Rail: Gokarna/Ankola/Hubli (from Hubli to Ankola Town 120 km by bus)

Criteria

If you are looking at an alternate way of life, want to live with the needs of the seasons of this land and if you are falling in the age group of 12 and above , this program is for you .

Duration

Since we work in unison with the seasons, you may choose a single season or choose to enrol for all 3 seasons i.e. Summer, Monsoon & Winter.

Summer Batch -2 months ( April - May)

Monsoon Batch - 3 months (Aug - Oct)

Winter Batch - 3 months ( Dec - Feb)

After every season there will be a gap of 1.5 or 2 months. Duration will vary depending on other activities

Seasonal Offerings

Forest has its own curriculum to follow us . All activities are season specific and in accordance with the available resources. They may be subject to change.

Summer Batch 1 month

Monsoon Batch 2 months

Sugarcane Planting
Groundnut /watermelon Harvest
Learning Siddi dance
Basket Weaving
Bandi Habba -Festival of Masks
Kokum Harvest Festival
Interacting with Halakki women
Seed Collection & summer fruits
Product development - Kokum Preserves, Bio Enzyme, Aam Paapad, Fruit Jams ,Pickles
Field visits/treks
Shramadhan-collecting firewood ,building bridge etc

Monsoon Batch 2 months

Paddy Transplanting & Tree Planting
Studying Reptiles & Snakes
Weaving Skills & Techniques
Oral Folk Heritage & Gods
Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi & Nagara Panchami
Mungaru (Rice) Festival
Visit Waterfalls & Stream Walks
Seasonal Ecology (Fauna & Flora)
Study Wild Food & Sacred Groves
Hand Quilting
Shramadhan

Winter Batch 3 months

Monsoon Batch 2 months

Winter Batch 3 months

Paddy & Turmeric Harvesting
Growing Vegetables
Local Architecture & Design
Tool Making
Angasanskara
Regional Art & Craft
Introduction to Yakshagana
Celebrate Deepavali / Bali Padyami
Aalemane (Sugarcane) Festival
Field visits :Visit Quilting Village, Areca Nut Leaf Products Factory,folklore museum
Study Tours (Forest/River/Sea Route)
Study Edible & Medicinal Plants
Shramadhan