Rutu -live and learn Exploring the Rhythms of the Seasons
The purpose of the program :
- Foster a deeper connection with the land and its seasonal rhythms.
- Emphasize the importance of traditional knowledge in a rapidly changing world.
- Provide an alternative approach to education that values experiential, non-conforming learning.
- Help individuals discover balance, creativity, and self-growth through community living and hands-on activities.
- Living in harmony with the seasons teaches us how to adapt, celebrate, rest, and thrive. Nature itself becomes a curriculum, offering lessons on what to eat, how to live, and when to engage in different activities for a harmonious and sustainable life.
Who Can Join?
This program is ideal for:
- Participants seeking meaningful learning experiences.
- Individuals questioning the conventional education system and seeking an alternative way of life.
- Those who value local wisdom and want to understand how to live in harmony with the seasons.
- Participants of all age groups and cultural backgrounds who are open to learning in a mixed, inclusive environment.
- Participants must be willing to engage in hands-on activities, live simply, and embrace a learning process deeply rooted in traditional practices and ecological understanding.
What We Offer
- A creative, non-conventional approach to education focused on local wisdom and seasonal rhythms.
- Immersive, hands-on learning experiences tied to the land, including forest ecology, farming, traditional crafts, and folklore.
- Opportunities to work alongside local tribes, farmers, potters, basket weavers, and other community members who serve as resource persons and mentors.
- A supportive environment that fosters self-discovery, creativity, and sustainable practices.
- Each season brings unique learning opportunities that revolve around the needs of the land and community during that time.
Location
We are based in Angadibail, a forest village in the Uttara Kannada region of Coastal Karnataka. Located about 30 km inland from the Gokarna coast, Angadibail sits in the foothills of the Western Ghats—where the coastline ends and the forest begins.
- Closest Airport: Goa/Hubli
- Closest Rail: Gokarna/Ankola/Hubli
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 13 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 enroll for all 3 seasons i.e. Summer, Monsoon & Winter.
Summer Rutu – 2 months ( April – May)
Monsoon Rutu -3 months (July – Sep)
Winter Rutu – 4 months ( Nov – 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.
Monsoon Rutu
(July - September)
- Forest & Farming
Celebrate the Mungaaru festival by planting local paddy varieties, preserving indigenous seeds, and supporting our forest nursery. - Monsoon Ecosystems
Explore streams, waterfalls, and meet frogs, spiders, snakes, leeches—understand their role in the monsoon cycle. - Traditional Foraging/Forest food
Learn to identify and collect wild greens, edible flowers, mushrooms, farm snails, and tiny stream fishes. Discover their culinary and medicinal uses. - Festivals
Engage with local celebrations like Nagara Panchami and Ganesha Chaturthi, exploring their seasonal and cultural significance. - Natural Fibers & Crafts
Harvest and process fibers for weaving and learn clay art using traditional soil pigments inspired by potters.
Winter Rutu
(December - February)
Harvesting & Threshing: Participate in paddy harvesting and traditional threshing using age-old methods.
Traditional Crafts: Work with natural fibers for basketry, rope making, and weaving.
Local Tool Making: Learn to craft and use traditional harvesting tools.
Aalemane Habba: Celebrate the traditional jaggery-making festival. Explore forgotten jaggery-based local delicacies.
Festivals & Healing: Celebrate Deepavali festival rooted in medicinal practices.
Study Tours: Explore the Sea, river, and forest routes while engaging with local communities to understand their traditions, and ecological knowledge.
Traditional Building Techniques: Learn mud brick making and local building techniques.
Summer Rutu
(April - May)
Forest Fruits & Berries: Discover the cultural and ecological importance of kokum, wild mangoes, jackfruits, and seasonal berries.
Preservation & Processing: Learn traditional methods to preserve and process kokum, wild mangoes, and jackfruit.
Kokum Harvest Festival: Join a week-long celebration of kokum harvesting, experiencing the tree-to-jar journey of juices, jams, and preserves.
Wild Mango & Jackfruit Harvest: Harvest wild mangoes and prepare local favorites like pickles, jams, aam papad, jackfruit papads, and chips.
Forest Seed Collection & Nursery: Collect seeds and learn traditional techniques to preserve and plant them for forest regeneration.
Tree Data Collection: Document and study tree species, understanding their ecological and cultural roles.
For further queries write to us at [email protected]