Scapes and Shots: Ringaal craft and Uttarakhand

The realisation within observation

Hello all!

Writing my first Newsletter is a feeling which I can’t wholly describe in one go. Because while experiencing extremes, there is a lot to take in.

MoonScapes

I came to Uttarakhand in June 2019 for studying and working with crafts.

Bringing light to the widely practised Ringaal basketry.                                        

Ringaal is a very characteristic bamboo (belonging to Gramineae family) of Garhwal and Kumaon mountains growing wildly on steep mountain slopes. It grows in the moist evergreen forests of Rhododendron and Oak , best growth is observed near water bodies , along rivers , damp valleys and forests. It is distributed over 66,000 hectares between an altitude of 1800 m and 3400 m.

Ringaal grows smaller as compared to other bamboos, not more than 12 ft. in height . There are nine locally known subspecies namely- Dev Ringaal, Gol Ringaal, Tham Ringaal, Jumroo, Gadelu, Malinga, Bhat Puntaru, Ginwasa and Naltura which grows on different altitudes.

These subspecies differ in diameter, internode spaces, inflorescence, strength and pliability. Among these subspecies Jumra(sci. name – Arundaria Jaunsarensis) has the longest flowering cycle of 45 years, Dev Ringaal flowers in 30 years, Tham Ringaal flowers in 16-17 years.

Due to the superiority of Dev Ringaal, it is used to make ritual implements like parasols, crowns and baskets for offering to Gods. While Tham Ringaal being strong and durable is well suited for fencing and constructing temporary shelters in meadows, as roof battens and as walking sticks.

Ringaal artisans are clustered in districts of Bageshwar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh. In Garhwal the Ringaal artisans are known as Rudiya , in Kumaon as Beda and Dom. They occupy the lowest place in the village hierarchy. They are mostly landless and practice the Ringaal work as a supplementary source of income. They also work as daily wage labour ( in farms and other places ) , as cattle herders and porters. They also play musical instruments at temples, fairs and pilgrimages. Their role changes with the changing seasons. According to the data referenced from the UBFDB report- Cluster appraisal and micro plan for Uttarkashi cluster- Cutting of Ringaal is generally done in March, April, May and December and it is to be avoided in July, August and September. The main time of agriculture is March and May to November.

Nowadays, people belonging to higher castes are also taking up this craft. Due to the decrease in dependence on agriculture, availability of other viable occupations and changing market trends these communities have got affected and there is a big need for skill development and training programmes, field visits, survey and research.

MoonShots

Right now is the moment. Whatever passes, passes away. Came to reflect on life, saw the scattered and collected pieces of mountains , reminding me of the storms I had survived , since I am standing there in a single piece, one whole and wholesome. Obviously unknown and strange. There got to be more beautiful words for beautiful in my vocabulary . Who could have Imagined this chain?

Stating facts after making philosophical statements, I came to Uttarakhand for figuring out. There was no clear plan, but I knew I needed to do this before entering into a new job.

I had heard, ‘Guru’ appears when the ‘Shishya’ is ready and I believe it to be true. Didn’t expect it to come this way though.

The team of the Great Himalayan Trek 2022 couldn’t follow their original plan due to unexpected rains and road blockage. So they headed to their new base camp in Pipalkoti. And I was a lucky one to accompany them to Chopta , also known as the ‘mini Switzerland’ of Uttarakhand.

While I already knew that I had done my last trek almost three years ago, I was all set to Tungnath temple in my slow pace taking breath after every few steps. My camera is always with me. As well we know that the journey of self discovery never ends, I came to a place on this road where I was gifted a realisation.

We were at a point from where we could see the Tungnath temple and the Chandrashila peak. After a few steps, it started drizzling and we saw the dense white clouds moving towards our way. It started pouring. All of us, luckily, found a shed. It was freezing but it made the day really adventurous. When it continued for almost 45 minutes, we all decided to return.

It scared me, I always felt I would skid. I realised this fear while crossing the frozen Pushpavati river during the ‘Valley of flowers’ trek. People were crossing that with literally sneakers and floaters. Coming to the present moment, it was only rain that made it look bad. But I was cautiously putting my steps. I was not aware that this was being observed. I was amazed to see a hand held towards me but I didn’t take a moment to hold it. Since then, I was not only walking but running down, without slipping even once, without getting tired and without losing the smile on my face. I felt like flying carefree, I don’t remember my steps touching the ground. The key is Confidence, being carefree but not reckless. Leaning back and not leaning front.

This is me for now.

Punam