The Bamboo Guest House in Sarang
When we started the work in November 2018 our major worry was another building incomplete due to lack of money, time or resources. So our initial plan was a small shed with a loft for people to sleep. Something that can accommodate 8-10 people. Saji and his team, after seeing the abundance of Bamboo in the campus encouraged us to build something bigger. He was very confident about completing it. Thus we expanded our shed to a two-story guest house. We left the design according to Saji’s imagination.
The time or resources estimated for the expanded version proven unrealistic very soon after we started off this path. Thanks to Gautham’s job, also some timely help from friends and family, we could reach this stage. The kitchen and the compost toilet are still under construction. We hope to finish them in a couple of weeks.
As you can see for yourself, Saji and his team have done a great job with Bamboo, plywood, wood, and steel. We are glad to see a major chunk of the expense was wages, and that went to the families of the workforce.
We are also working on the data of the project. (One question we get all the time is the per square feet rate.) Studio Commune of Thiruvananthapuram is also helping us in this regard.
More details and photos later. Stay tuned!
The site from the tree top. There was a house here 25 years ago Planning The frame of the building Saji and his team Bamboo from our campus Front view Second Story and the bamboo bridge
Article on Sarang Cultural Exchange Center
Tourism India, India’s Tourism Magazine features Sarang Cultural Exchange Center in it’s May 2012 issue.
Read the article here : http://www.tourismindiaonline.com/detail/index.php?cnws=7&crnpg=propertyre
Shree Padre gives Sarang’s example
Shree Padre, popularly called the rainman, talks about rainwater harvesting and watershed management here : http://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/no-full-stops-rainman-interview-shree-padre-farmer-water-journalist-and-rainwater
K N Shaji writes on Gautham & Anuradha’s wedding
K N Shaji writes on Gautham & Anuradha’s wedding in Mathrubhumi – 26-05-2008
P Yamini writes about Sarang’s skit on safe food
Mathrubhumi Newspaper : 05-02-2010
Sarang children at the Kalpathy Sangeetholsavam : 14-11-2011
Mathrubhumi newspaper features the Sarang students at the Kalpathy Sangeetholsavam. We attended all the concerts during the music festival.
Western Ghats Calling
Here’s a blog on the historical Save Western Ghats March : http://westernghatscalling.blogspot.in/2012_11_01_archive.html
Shahin writes on Vyga News
Shahin P M writes about his adventurous trip to Sarang on Vyga news portal. His article can be read here though the pictures seem to be missing : http://archives2013.vyganews.com/sarang-an-alternative-school-in-kerala/
GLN’s Field immersion experience
MA Development graduate from Azim Premji University writes about his first year field immersion experience at Sarang in this blog : http://theattapadiexperience.blogspot.in/2013/10/before-travel.html
Kerala: Of Black Magic and Other Vagaries
Lilian Pithan, cultural explorer, writes about her brush with black magic and Sarang.
Read her article on the Cafe Babel site : http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/currypower/article/kerala-of-black-magic-and-other-vagaries.html
She also writes about Sarang in this article : http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/green-greener-greenest-india-goes-organic-2.html