Vanishing Momentarily: Preservation Before Disappearance

Vanishing Momentarily: Preservation Before Disappearance

In the heart of Uttarakhand, a northern province of India, lies the picturesque village of Peora. Nestled amidst the Kumaon Hills, Peora stands in stark contrast to its sister town, Spacehouse Himalayas, which resides on the opposite side. This idyllic setting, however, is not immune to the challenges of modernity.

Photographer Abhishek Khedekar has captured the essence of Peora through his personal photography series, titled "Before it Fades." The project documents the fading traditional art form of Aipan, a floor art made with rice paste, indigenous to the region. Khedekar's work aims to preserve and bring awareness to this endangered art form and the local lifestyle before they disappear.

The village of Peora is a land of extremes. Its breathtaking landscapes, marked by the presence of Aipan art on houses, are both a blessing and a curse. The hills around Peora, while offering a scenic beauty, are difficult to navigate, often leading to getting lost. The area's tranquillity is often disrupted by the unpredictable weather, with rain causing delays in travel in the hills.

The landscape in Peora is rapidly shifting due to geographical complications and the movement of the young to the city. This migration, coupled with the menace of monkeys destroying farms and orchards, has contributed to the changes in the landscape. The village does not seem to have a thriving agriculture, further exacerbating the population decline that is accelerating in Peora.

Despite the differences, Peora and its inhabitants hold a familiar and beguiling charm for Khedekar. During his visit, he was greeted with tea in a local shop and offered hospitality in a familiar house, where an old TV and an old photograph served as icebreakers. Spacehouse Himalayas, a haven for artists, provided a creative space for Khedekar to document the village's life and art.

The storm was raging and the house was silent during his visit, reflecting the quiet resilience of the village. The wind had risen, and a storm was on the way, symbolising the challenges that Peora faces. Yet, amidst the turmoil, the spirit of Peora's traditional art form, Aipan, persists, slowly fading but not yet lost.

References: [1] Abhishek Khedekar, "Before it Fades," personal photography series, [Instagram post], [Date of post]. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/abhishek_khedekar/ [Accessed on: Date of access].

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