What's Your Story?

Stories. We all have a story to tell. It’s an art, deeply rooted in human nature. We are born storytellers who narrate experiences, and the meanings these experiences have in our lives. This act of storytelling is an age old tradition. Earlier it played a key role in preserving and communicating historical information to the following generations, and now it helps define the ‘self’ better. All cultures and societies possess their own stories and narratives about their past and present. These cultural narratives assign a meaning to the community’s existence, preserve its history and strengthen its identity. Socio-cultural narratives position us in the society and assist in connecting to our identities. These identities and cultural narratives facilitate our perceptions of the world. Our experiences shape us. Our histories shape us. Our identities shape us.

Stories are how we learn. The progenitors of the world’s religions understood this, handing down our great myths and legends from generation to generation. -Bill Mooney and David Holt, The Storyteller’s Guide 

All cities have their own local vocabularies, dialects, economies and realities. This should mean that cities are cultures too! I interacted with my classmates who are from uncommon cities; turns out where you live, really does shape who you are. The city we come from, shapes our character. Our class can be a great example of diverse people coexisting peacefully. Or maybe not. It was time the Red Door classroom gave its take on the never ending debate of Mumbai vs Delhi. This time, there were other dimensions to it; of my current city, Bangalore and my small hometown grouped with like cities. Everybody was defending his/her city, hostility was present at all ends. There is a reason it is tagged as ‘never ending’, we were in no state of changing this! Every city had its own charming traits and problems, it all came down to how well we can adjust and what we want in life.

Listening is a skill not everyone is proficient in. However, stories call for listeners. They are meaningful experiences which have in them, something for the listeners as well. Quoting Robert McKee, ‘They are the currency of human contact.’ They delight, enchant, touch, teach, inspire, motivate, challenge and imprint the listeners. Such were the individual stories of the students! Stories from Mumbai to Andaman Nicobar, from Kenya to Bangalore, from Ahmedabad to Goa! 

As part of the immersion week, Sir Jyoti Sahi sensitized us towards the craft culture of various communities, towards connecting with them in a very empathetic manner, and taking steps to revive the craft culture. Every place has its own unique ‘Cultural Language’, they must be looked at, in a way different from how we view our hometown. 'Baggage' of our own city, as Narendra our facilitator said, should not be carried to the new city. It's about learning to respect this 'timeless' city, as old as history itself! About the dignity of the people and the pride they take in the city. This ‘dignity’ is what we were asked to focus on. It’s a lens through which we must look at this enigmatic city; The City of Lights, काशी!

A hundred year old houses in Gavipuram temple complex.

The groundwork prior to our trip called for a mini excursion trip to one of the oldest temples of the city, Gavipuram Temple. After engaging with the nearby residents and learning about their archaic dwellings, we realized that this was just a trailer to our big banner which is coming soon! While the wellness team gave us some tips regarding our well-being and safety, we prepared ourselves for this exhilarating trip. Varanasi it was, for the myriad human experiences we were to have!  Thus, we didn't let go the true spirit of being a ‘traveler’ or the importance of individual stories, whatsoever.  Bags packed. All set…to explore and experience the grandeur of 'the most religious city of the country'!