Janapada Loka, Near Bangalore

We have driven to Mysore umpteen times. We have halted at Kamat Lokaruchi for a breakfast. But somehow have always given Janapada Loka a go by. And it’s right next to Lokaruchi with a wicket gate separating the two! Janapada Loka is about 53 km from Bengaluru on the Bangalore-Mysore highway ... just after Ramanagara. Watch out for it, as it comes to your right.

But, this place beckons. And today is the day. We decide to pay Janapada Loka a visit.

Yummy treats, games, and bottles of water go into the car. Eight of us, with no high expectations, load ourselves into two cars, and drive down Mysore Road.
Yel-barattey? Where is it? Is it after Ramanagara or before? Hey. This is Ramanagara. See the boulders. Wow! Awesome! We must plan a trek to climb this one day. (We have been saying this, every time we drive to Mysore...aaah yes…umpteen times)

‘Dodappa … enough of clicking. Let’s go. The other car has raced us’. ‘You must overtake them. Go faaast.’ We chase along and reach together. Much to Anu’s satisfaction.
Janapada Loka is a peep into the old world. It is a display of folk art and folk life. Eight huts capture the essence with utensils, pictures, puppets and cloth.

We gaze at articles used by rural folk in farms, in kitchens and in daily life. Large pans, a huge coconut grater and many unique shaped urns for steaming and boiling remind my mother in law of things she had seen in Alur, her hometown. A very informed guide tells us about the various tribes of Karnataka and gives us interesting anecdotes.

We walk into a hut, passing below a thorana made of wheat-ears. We see a round grinding stone with 4 handles! Four women sat around and together rotated it to powder grains! I can hear them singing songs or sharing gossip while they work!

As we walk from hut to hut large boards tease with riddles. In Kannada a riddle is called OGATU. and every village home has its favourite collection of Ogatus. Ok. Try this one: neeralli hutti neeralli karaguvenu (I take birth in water. I melt into water) Naanu yaaru? (who am I?)
Answer: salt.

This song to bamboo is fascinating. For a translation click here.

As we walk in the shade of trees we hear the jingle of dancer footsteps. We have walked into a simple function. All are welcome and we get to enjoy folk dances and folk songs.

A banana leaf meal at Kamat Lokaruchi  - tummy bhi khush, purse bhi khush.
We return to Janapada Loka through the wicket gate and play badminton and throwball. For 60 minutes we think of nothing else but the immediate urgency of throwing and catching the big ball. The game refreshes us leaves us feeling most together and most bonded.

All in all, Janapada Loka was a lovely experience.