The village of Khati

Photographic Documentation of The Khati Village Khati village is a place to rejuvenate your senses amidst the lush green mountains. This beautiful village is located on the Pindari Glacier Trek, Uttarakhand.

Here with this documentation I want give you an visual experience through the village.

Project FUEL collaborated with The Hans Foundation to bring out the local stories of Khati village in Uttarakhand through wall art. The village lacks basic amenities, and the project aims to bring attention and support to it. “The most important part for us was documenting the wisdom of the village and bringing visibility to an extremely remote village. Because a lot of them have not had exposure to the outside world,� says Deepak Ramola, founder of Project FUEL. Initially the village had stone made houses, some were white and some were made out of mud.

This documentation is in support to the cause. It will also introduce you to the beautiful and loving people of Khati. This will create an experience of absolute pleasure.

It will act as a opening to the traditional art.

The color speaks for the village! Makes it stand out and attractive. The choice of color is outstanding.

The Painting on these houses were inspired by the traditional art known as “Aipan art“. It is generally seen on floors as rangoli, mostly in white and terracotta color. This art is a traditional culture going on from a very long time. It is seen done by the women of the village.

Inspiring from that makes the houses even more appealing even to the local eye. The typical art is done on all special occasions and household ceremonies and rituals. It is believed that these motifs evoke divine power which brings good fortune and wards off evil.

Bright Colors all along!

These are some pictures of the amount of detailing done one the walls, and the attempt to make the locals feel special. They have a sense of ownership and importance.

The portrait of one of the ladies of the village.

This is one of the 2 grossary stores of the village. You might not get whatever you want but you shall get everything you need.

The architecture of these houses was built very smartly.

The height of these houses was around 15ft.The ground rooms were for the cattle. The houses generally had 2-3 rooms for the cattles and 3-4 windows and 2 doors for human entrance. The whole family lives in one house, even the cattle! The built of these houses made a lot of sense. The distribution and usage of height is marvelous.

You would never fall less of space.

Women of Khati are so strong and powerful.

Khati is not an abandoned village, it just lacks the basic amenities like electricity, phone network and livelihood options. It is growing day by day. during my stay there I found the women so inspiring. I would see them carrying 20 kgs of heavy woods and hay for the household. The work of the house was equally divided between the men and the women. I saw them cultivating, harvesting, taking care of the kids, cattles and the house. Everyday the women get up walk 10 kms to get wood and other supplies from the forest. You wont see them tired ever.

Always Smiling!

The women spend all day on the field cultivating crops and harvesting them. Even when its raining, even if the sun is on their head. After working all day they can only get food which can only satisfy their family. They work so hard, each and every day.

The age of the women in the right was around 73.

The image below is our friend helping them and trying to understand cultivation. The surprising thing here was that these people weren’t even wearing any shoes or gloves or had any sort of protection from the insects.

They were very welcoming and humble. Always smiling!

The men and the women were fixing one of the roads of the village. My heart was so happy to see this!

The oldest women in the village. So wise and clam. She knew her aesthetics.

Portraits

A cute salute for this little child

She is Kajal. Pretty eyes and most innocent smile.

Down the memory lane..

We got to do some painting too, in one of the cafes.