“Stories of Water” A Sustainability Walking Tour in Bangalore, India
A mural from the walking tour, referencing how water is inextricably linked to women's livelihood. Artists: Madhuri Umashankar and Girija Hariharan
Photo Credit: Chandra Harsha Bhamidipati
By Chandra Harsha Bhamidipati, MA in Sustainable International Development and Conflict Resolution and Coexistence, Brandeis University'23
As a proud resident of Bangalore, India, I felt a pressing need to explore the topic of "Bangalore's waters" and raise awareness about water accessibility and associated injustices. Taking inspiration from a previous project in which I had participated while a graduate student, and delving into possibilities through conversation with Dr. Cynthia Cohen, who had been my professor, the idea of "Stories of Water" was born—an immersive self-guided walking tour/exhibition intertwined with mesmerizing art installations.
That earlier project was called the "Culture of Sustainability Walking Tour." Alongside my fellow Brandeis University classmates, we embarked on a journey to inspire individuals to imagine and cultivate sustainable cultures. Guided by the wisdom of Dr. Cynthia Cohen and Dr. Polly Walker, Senior Fellows at IMPACT, Inc. - a diverse global organization advocating for the field of arts, culture and conflict trasformation - we explored the transformative power of ethical arts and cultural practices outlined in the IMPACT initiative's report—an exploration that laid the foundation for our creative endeavor.
Little did we know that within a year, not just one, but two walking tours would come to life. The Brandeis University community eagerly embraced our project in May 2022, while in Bangalore, my hometown, another tour blossomed. These endeavors became possible through the generous grants received from IMPACT, Inc. and the Maurice J. and Fay B. Karpf and Ari Hahn Peace Award.
In this article, we, the creators of "Stories of Water," share our reflections, hoping to ignite a spark of interest in those who wish to embark on similar ventures. Join us as we take you on a literary journey through the process, successes, and lessons learned from our walking tour in Bangalore. We've previously written about the "Culture of Sustainability Walking Tour," and we encourage you to reach out to us at coexistence@brandeis.edu if you're inspired to share your own experiences or inquire further about our work.
The creative space…
Welcome to Bangalore Creative Circus (BCC), the haven of imagination nestled in the city of lakes and gardens, namma Bengaluru. This city's rich history is intertwined with its bodies of water—rivers, lakes, canals, and groundwater have shaped it for centuries. Here, we present "Stories of Water," a multisensorial exhibition that invites you to explore the intersectional aspects of water: its history, access, collective impact, and our responsibility to protect our waterways. Through art and poetry, we aim to forge a deeper connection with this precious elixir of life. As you read, let the words "Jal. Neeru. Water" resonate within you.
Our mission is to add nuance to the mainstream conversation on sustainability and climate change. By raising awareness and introducing new methodologies grounded in coexistence and interdependency with the natural world, we hope to inspire paradigm shifts in sustainable practices. We designed this project as an invitation to slow down, allowing ample time for reflection and a mindful connection with our surroundings and water.
Future projects inspired by our journey can build upon these theoretical frameworks and integrate those suited to the unique environments and priorities of the artists and communities involved.
At the core of our "Stories of Water" project lies an aesthetic experience, carefully crafted to introduce nuance into our collective understanding of sustainability as a culture. Through an audio walking tour and artist-led interactive installations, we invite communities in and around BCC to embark on a collaborative artistic journey. Drawing from local communities, cosmologies, cultures, and practices, we aim to introduce novel ways of thinking about our relationship with water, the environment, history, art, and knowledge. Based on our experiences, levels of engagement, and feedback from participants, it appears that many of these goals were successfully achieved.
The aesthetic experience…
Let's delve into the nuts and bolts of this aesthetic experience. The concept of a walking tour captivated us, offering a means to encourage people in Bangalore to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural spaces around them. The simplicity of a designated path guided by a thematic or prompting element laid the foundation for our tour. Using the physical space of Bangalore Creative Circus and virtual audio recordings, we carefully designed the pathway to encompass both tranquil corners and bustling sections of Mahalakshmi Layout—the neighborhood where the Creative Circus resides. As you traverse this path, our audio program will accompany you, offering instructions, stories, poetry, music, guided imagery, and suggestions on how to interact with the art installations.
Creative credits: Madhuri Umashankar
Your journey begins by immersing yourself in a space of creativity, where you are encouraged to pay close attention to the textures, colors, and sounds of water. Surrender yourself to its soothing embrace, feeling the pulsating sensations within your body. Along the way, you'll encounter various art installations and key points of interest, including vibrant banners adorned with instructions for activities that celebrate our connection to the earth and water. As Bangalore Creative Circus is a bustling hub, our distinctive "water droplet on fire" signage will guide you, setting our path apart from other activities within the exhibition.
'Lake on Fire' Artist: Namitha Kulkarni
Creating this exhibition required a delicate balance between creative thinking and logistical arrangements. While Bangalore Creative Circus is an open community space, it takes time to access the necessary resources and information to host such an event. Building a strong community foundation is a crucial first step—one that requires trust and understanding. We were fortunate to find support from the local community, municipal corporations, and various think tanks committed to preserving the sanctity of Bangalore's waters.
A vital pillar in our journey was our exceptional team of four individuals: Madhuri Umashankar, an artist; Sid, the operations manager at BCC; Ishan, an academic and freelance writer; and myself, a graduate student at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Our empathy and ability to accommodate each other's perspectives were among our greatest assets. Through daily team meetings and regular sessions with our faculty advisors, we fostered momentum, shared crucial information, and navigated both the creative and logistical aspects of the project. Whenever challenges arose, we communicated from a place of empathy, compassion, humility, and understanding. Separating our meetings into logistical and creative spheres proved immensely beneficial, allowing us to focus on each aspect with clarity.
The project team. Photo credit: Pranav Kaushik
Now, where will your journey take you? A walking tour as an exhibition offers remarkable flexibility, serving as an invitation to an aesthetic experience that imparts newfound wisdom and inspiration. Allow yourself the time and space to frequently walk the path, and witness how the environment surrounding it evolves. Embrace the ever-changing surroundings as a source of fresh content for your tour. Consider including excerpts from authors, researchers, and organizations whose work aligns with your themes or destinations along the path. Veda Austin, Pinky Chandran, India Water Portal, Bengawalk, and Biome Environmental Trust are just a few examples of our inspiring sources.
Two sides of an image. A scene from the exhibition. Photo credit: Madhuri Umashankar
We discovered that sharing our project, regardless of its perceived completion, sparked a wealth of new ideas. We used social media platforms and word of mouth to spread news of our project. Workshops and activities held during the exhibition's unveiling day provided additional opportunities to foster conversations among participants, encouraging the sharing of diverse lived experiences. Documentaries, poetry recitals, and movement activities invited participants to reflect on the prompt: What does water mean to you? To expand the dialogue, some team members even hosted bi-weekly movie screenings to discuss climate justice critically. These engagements further enriched our efforts.
The open event: workshops, movie screenings and performances. Photo credit: Madhuri Umashankar
We hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into our creative process and that we've ignited a flame of inspiration within you to embark on your own audio walking tour or exhibition. As you immerse yourself in this multi-sensorial experience, allow us to share some thoughts and feedback from our artists and participants.
Glimpses of the experience....
One participant traveled six hours from Chennai, a bustling city in Southern India, to be a part of our exhibition. She describes it as an incredibly grounding experience, transporting her to a place of deep introspection regarding her water usage. She marvels at the diverse textures and manifestations of water, realizing its status as the elixir of life, alive within our very beings.
Girija, one of our talented artists who worked on a mesmerizing mural, shares her inspiration behind the creation. She envisioned water as a woman embodying selfless generosity, giving without seeking recognition. Through this project, she developed a newfound appreciation for the water she drinks and bathes in, recognizing its profound significance.
Another participant recounts a powerful realization while walking the exhibition's path. Witnessing a burst pipe carrying water to a community already struggling for access, they were awakened to the implications and immediately took action, contacting officials to rectify the situation.
These excerpts only scratch the surface of the plethora of feedback and thoughts we received from our participants. The impact of this experience, both on participants and creators, was profound. It instilled a profound understanding, prompting many to vow to nurture water as if it were their own.
Join us on this journey of exploration, introspection, and artistic expression. Let the "Stories of Water" inspire you to embrace your creativity, advocate for sustainability, and foster a deep connection with the precious resource that sustains us all.
One of the exhibition murals, referencing the paradox of water use. Artists: Madhuri Umashankar and Girija Hariharan. Photo credit: Chandra Harsha Bhamidipati