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EARTH ART PROJECT, LADAKH 2014

Residency and DD’s work at two places

NANG

LEH TEHSIL, LEH LADAKH, JAMMU KASHMIR, INDIA

2014

Nang means surrounded by mountains which is the characteristic of this beautiful small place.

NANG PROJECTS

NANG village at 3700 m altitude is  in Chuchot Block in Leh Ladakh District of Jammu & Kashmir State, India. It is located 13 KM towards South from District head quarters Leh. 300 KM from State capital Srinagar, Jammu.

 

Nang means surrounded by mountains which is the characteristic of this beautiful small place. Nang village at the altitude of 3700m, is a village comprising of cluster of houses, with farming land which mainly grow potatoes, peas, green leafy vegetables. There is a small stream which flows besides the village which is drying due to rapidly melting of glaciers. The Nang middle school at the end is a nascent home to all the young children of this village.​

 

ACTIVITIES 

DD aimed to research and study the indigenous practices and document the assets of the region. Through its programs, it initiated awareness and pride among the youth and community to preserve their traditional knowledge and practices through art and culture bridging the gap between generations.

  • Village anthropological, ecological and cultural study and documentation.

  • Research and documentation – with a local herbal doctor Namchi on medicinal and aromatic plants.Organized talks by Namchi to discuss with children and local villagers the benefits of easily found medicinal plants.

  • Interactions and field visits with children to collect medicinal and aromatic plant samples.

  • Workshops with children culminating in wall paintings on the rich biodiversity and natural heritage of the region

NANG: A Village Surrounded by Mountains

Ladakh a beautiful arid desert is cut off by four mountain ranges, the great Himalayas, Karakoram, Zaskar and the Ladakh range. Though most of the region is barren, certain narrow valleys like NANG are fertile and suitable for farming in the summer season, which is for four months. 

Cultural and Environmental Heritage

The community of NANG holding on to their ancestral farming practices cultivated crops which are stored for the rest of the year. In recent years Climate change, receding glaciers, increased tourism and transportation is disturbing the ecological balance of the region. The village with a population of not more than 400  people organise community festivals such as archery festival where the men compete with each other through the sport and the women perform traditional Ladhaki dance followed by local food and drinks uniting the community and children.

Interactions and Co-creation

Through workshops, field trips, research  with community children along with interactions with villagers a series of art works were created which helped in creating awareness and a knowledge base through visuals for the future generation to value the habitual and medicinal practises of their ancestors. They understand the importance of the wildly and abundantly grown aromatic and medicinal plants to conserve it within the region.

                                                                   OUTCOMES

  • Visual album with all scientific information on medicinal and aromatic plants

  • Art works and installations addressing the environmental heritage crisis of the region

  • Exhibition of art works and data along with interaction with students and villagers from nearby localities at Nang middle school. Two co-created wall murals at Nang school.

  • A series of short documentary films on ‘Disappearing Streams’; ‘A Cultural Rhythm at Archery Festival’; ‘Echoes from the Mountains’; ‘Chuskit’s Ideal Pastime’.